“’Night.”
When Genevieve’s phone beeped to signal an incoming text the following day, she lunged for it like a sprinter off the blocks.
It might be easier to explain what to do with your groceriesifI can talk about it while I make you dessert at my place tonight, Sam’s text read.
A rosy glow infused every particle of her. How could one text from a man generate such a strong physical reaction?
She sat at the desk in the cottage, beaming at her phone. Not wanting to respond so quickly that she’d appear overeager, she put on “Super Bass” by Nicki Minaj, then danced around the interior of the space, singing along.
She’d been floating through life since he’d kissed her last night. He’d told her that he thought it would be best for her not to get involved with him. Certainly, he also thought it would be best for him not to get involved with her. Thus kissing her ran against his will to a certain degree.
Yet he’d done it anyway—at the grocery store and again last night—which left her feelingridiculouslypleased with herself.
Sam was not an easy fortress to breach. However, she’d miraculously managed to tap a tiny fissure into the wall of his defenses. He was letting her in, which made her hope all kinds of crazy things.
For now, though, the tiny fissure was enough. Indeed, the thought of continuing exactly as they were filled her with tingling excitement.
It wasn’t that she could no longer hear the voices of her misgivings. She could still hear them. The path she’d set out on was a scary one. Kissing Sam might be ill-advised at this precarious point in her life. And it might lead to catastrophe. It’s just that the joy of kissing him was so strong that she was willing to riska lotin exchange for it.
Do you make apple crisp?she texted him back.I feel that I might be able to absorb all this new information about my groceries best while eating apple crisp.
I’ll make it for you, but only if you agree to call it by its proper name, apple crumble.
Sam was a gift that God had dropped in her lap at one of the lowest moments of her life, right when she’d deserved a gift the least. She was grateful, simply and deeply grateful, for the gift.
That night, they ate apple crisp and they kissed.
The kisses were the sweeter of the two.
No one mentioned a word about Genevieve’s groceries.
Aknock sounded on Sam’s door the next afternoon, shortly after he’d returned home from work. Genevieve stood on his porch wearing an athletic outfit, spotless blue tennis shoes, and her hair in a ponytail.
Joy shot through him at the sight of her.
Less than twelve hours had passed since he’d seen her last. Even so, he’d missed her.
“I’m heading out on my daily walk,” she said. “If you’re free, I thought this might be a good time for you to explain what I should do with all those groceries you bought me.”
They walked two miles. They held hands part of the time. They laughed most of the time.
He said nothing to her about her groceries.
I’ll be working in the garden later, Sam texted her the next day.I can explain then what to do with your groceries.
They gardened.
But they did not talk about groceries.
You home?he texted her the following afternoon.
Her pulse leapt happily.Yes.
Would you mind helping me with something in the barn? While you’re here, we’ll talk about your groceries.
Coming right over.
Minutes later, she neared the barn. He’d told her that he’d had it repaired, then sanded, before painting it gray and topping it with its sleek new metal roof.
