Page 46 of Surprised By Love

I’m quiet as I get ready, not wanting to wake Amelia and Vicki as it’s only four-thirty in the morning. I like to get to the diner early to make sure I have plenty of time to bake. Some days I will bake here at home the night before and take them with me in the morning.

I toss my hair up in a messy bun and get dressed in my work uniform. I take one last look in the bathroom mirror before I go downstairs to make myself a coffee.

Placing my fingertips against my lips, remembering his kisses. It brings a blush to my cheeks and I have to admit I kinda like the way it looks. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt like this. Giddy of the possibilities and for the first time in a long time. I actually feel happy.

Josh

It’s Friday and I’m ready for a night off. We had to arrest some tourists, causing a disturbance at Tucker’s Tavern. Tucker’s is usually a police and firefighter hang out, but we get the occasional tourist wandering in. It’s on the other side of town, so few head that way. Most of the time, they stick to The Sunset Bar and Grill in the main part of town.

There was another accident on highway ninety-seven. This time, it was a couple of teenagers trying to race. One of them lost control around the bend and slammed right into the guardrail. Thank God for the guardrail. It has saved so many lives.

This young guy is in the hospital and will be in there for at least a week healing from his injuries. None of them are life threatening, thankfully. I wish people would slow down around the bend. One of these days, someone will not be as lucky.

Even though I see Sam every morning when I go in for my coffee before work. I need some time with her, alone. I’ve missed her. Funny as it sounds to me, but it’s true. I haven’t thought about a woman as much as I have thought about her this week. There is something about her I can’t place my finger on, but I can’t seem to get enough of her. I have a plan. Tonight is the perfect time because my mom has the kids.

I open the door to the diner and strut in with purpose. I nod a greeting to a few regulars and take my normal seat at the counter, waiting for Sam to come out from the back. The smell of the diner first thing in the morning is something that should be bottled up and sold. The scent of bacon, eggs and coffee fills the air and, I’m not mistaken, pancakes and syrup. My stomach grumbles as if on cue.

I wave at Vicki and she comes right over. I need to put my plan in motion and talking to Vicki is the second step. My mom taking the kids was the first.

“Hey Josh. How are things?” she says, taking a rest on the stool beside me.

“Things are going well. How’s the morning been?”

“Not too bad, but we only opened an hour ago.”

“Good, good,” I say, running my hands through my hair. Why am I so nervous? I feel like a teenager asking a girl out for the first time, but I haven’t even asked Sam out yet. I’m asking her sister a question and I have known Vicki since I moved here four years ago. I shake my head.

“Is something wrong?” Vicki looks at me with a curious expression.

“No. no. Nothing wrong. I was… um… wondering if you could watch Amelia tonight for a bit. I’d like to ask Sam out to dinner and maybe a movie.”

Vicki’s eyes brighten. “Really? I knew it!” She claps her hands together.

I grab her hands. “Shh. I haven’t asked her yet,” I laugh. “But I take it by your expression. You like the idea?”

“Like the idea? I love the idea! I think the two of you are perfect for each other.”

I raise a brow. “Really? Then why did you set her up with Miles?”

She bites her lip. “You heard about that?”

“Yes. Sam and I talked about it yesterday when she was at my place baking cookies.”

“Oh. Well… we, meaning Becca, Jess and I, think it’s about time Sam got out there and started dating again and she was nervous. So we found her someone who would make an easy first date. Miles is a nice guy, and we knew she would be safe with him. But we were all hoping you would ask her out. We saw how you looked at her last week when you came over for the tree decorating.”

“If you thought I liked her, why would you try to set her up?”

Vicki laughs. “This is so cute. You’re jealous.”

“Stop,” I laugh despite myself. “Okay, if you must know. I saw him drop her off at the house and yes. Part of me was jealous, but then when he went to kiss her and she turned her head…”

“This is great. Yes, I’ll watch Amelia tonight.”

I nod my head, and we turn to see Sam walking out of the backroom. Vicki gets up and heads to a couple who just entered and took a seat in a corner booth.

Sam smiles as she sees me sitting at the counter.

“Hey.” She smiles at me as she reaches the counter and pulls out a mug from underneath. “You want your usual?”

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