Page 21 of Thinking It Over

“Come on, girl. Let’s head around the back.” Penny glanced once at Austin but seemed to think I was the best choice when I made my way to the side gate. I was curious about Austin’s grounds. On my last visit, I’d onlyspared a quick look outside. It was a big place for someone who I imagined worked a lot of hours.

My eyes widened in surprise at how vivid the place was.

A walkway made out of small rocks appeared perfectly proportioned to the many flowers and what looked to be vegetables surrounding it. Despite the large size of his property, the areas were clustered in a way that they seemed sectioned off, making the spaces almost intimate, each providing a new focus, whether it a mature fruit tree or a bench.

Flower beds scattered the area, complete with just a few plants I recognized as vegetables. I was not into gardening at all, and truthfully, I couldn’t differentiate between a weed and an edible flower at the best of times, but the basics I knew.

“Wow,” I mumbled, switching my attention to Austin when he joined me, ball and ball thrower in hand.

He tossed the ball a fair distance to a large open space beyond the impressive plants and flowers, much to Penny’s delight. “I wish I could take credit,” he responded, correctly interpreting my reaction. “It’s pretty much all Billy.”

“Is there anything this guy can’t do?” Genuine interest laced my words.

Austin laughed. “He’s a pretty incredible guy. I’vetried to do what I can and have enjoyed getting my hands dirty on the weekends, especially with the rock garden he created, but the man has skills.”

I nodded in appreciation. “It’s amazing.”

“You like gardening?”

I wrinkled my nose. “Not especially, but I can appreciate a beautiful garden.” When my eyes landed on a huge weeping willow next to a small creek at the end of the property, I couldn’t stop my awe from spilling out. “Holy shit, is that a bench under there? Is that the perfect reading spot or what? Oh my goodness. I think it’s safe to say I’m in love with your garden.”

While he laughed, I honestly couldn’t think of a better spot to chill out during the school vacation. There was a small table and two chairs as well as a separate bench. During the summer, I could imagine the large shadow the tree would cast, safely protecting me—yes, I was fully immersed in my reading-spot fantasy—from the burning sun. While I wasn’t milk-bottle white, I wasn’t exactly a bronzed Adonis either.

“I’d envisioned it being a reading spot. Nice chilled glass of white wine or a cool beer to keep me company. When I told Billy, he made it happen.”

“It’s perfect, and I’m all for offering my services for extra company so you don’t just need a drink.” I shot a flirty smile his way, totally meaning my offer.

“I’d like that a lot,” he said, and my heart did a strange but welcome little skip.

We continued walking around his grounds, trying to wear Penny out while catching up with how our days had gone. Time flew by, and as we edged closer to the house, Austin asked, “So, plans for tonight?”

“Thought we’d head to the pizzeria over in Charlesville.”

A smile lifted his mouth. “That sounds good. Fewer prying eyes, right?” He followed with a laugh, and I joined in.

“We both know how quickly everything becomes gossip fodder. I can only imagine how much worse it is for you being the principal of the local high school.”

As Austin rubbed off Penny’s muddy paws, he snorted. “You could say that.” He shook his head as he ushered Penny inside the house and picked up his shoes before closing the door. “It’s not exactly been easy settling here. My sexuality was the talk of the town, and several towns over I think, for at least eighteen months. It’s only the positive changes and quite possibly our Hawks football team and their wins recently that made most townsfolk settle down a little. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still a whole bunch of locals who struggle with the concept of equality for all.” He dragged off his boots, and I followed suit. “My split caused a stir, butRupert started to get a bit of a rep for being an asshole in town, which didn’t help anything, but it surprisingly made some people less nasty about me and the breakup.”

I nodded. “I may have heard a few members of staff discussing how you were better off with your ex out of your life.” I laughed and shook my head.

“What?” he asked as I held the passenger door open for him. He paused a few inches away from me, his eyes dancing with interest.

“It seems that everyone thinks you can do so much better.” My gaze roamed his. “Should I be worried I’m not going to be living up to everyone’s expectations?” Mirth filled my tone, but truthfully, I was a little nervous for the time we became official—assuming we reached that point, of course.

He took a firm grip of my waist, stepping even closer. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about.” A gentle kiss pressed against my lips. Before I could push for more, Austin angled back. “Ready?”

I nodded, admittedly a little dumbly, my brain trying to catch up with the lust that had unfurled inside me when his lips had touched mine.

He stepped back fully, and I shifted, allowing him to get in the car. As I made my way around to the driver side, it was impossible to control the small smile playingon my lips, so I embraced the feeling and sat beside him, happiness buzzing through me.

The radio played quietly in the background as we chatted about where we’d previously lived, went to college, and what had brought us to the area.

I hated to bring the conversation down so breezed past my brief explanation of losing my dad, not wanting to get into it. Austin seemed to understand as he told me little about his mom passing, then started telling me about the rest of his family.

“I can’t imagine having one sibling, let alone three. Must have been crazy.”

“It was,” he agreed. “Life was interesting, for sure.”

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