Inhaling deeply through my nose, I zeroed in on that feeling I had earlier today when I woke up with Danica in my arms.That calming moment just as we both started to stir, everything was warm and hazy and my mind was at total peace.“I will come,” I finally said.
Her eyes lit up like two green gems.The clouds decided to part at that very moment, causing the sun to shine right down on her until she glowed.With hazel-green cat eyes and hair of gold, she really was a stunning woman.“Thank you.”
“Bella,” I simply said with a nod.
She glanced over at the hose hanging up against the wall.“You think this filthy, pretty girl will let me bathe her?”
I opened up the gate, well aware of Mouse watching my every move as I skirted around her and grabbed the nozzle.“You seem to be able to get anybody to do anything.I’m sure if anyone can get Mouse to have a bath, it is you,bella.”
Her mouth split into a wide grin of understanding, and she cupped Mouse’s cheek.“You hear that, baby girl?You’re going to get a bath.We’re going to get you all clean and pretty.”
Mouse whipped her tail around.
“I’ll go grab you the soap and scrub brushes,” I said, heading back into the barn, but not before I heard Danica say to Mouse.“I think he’s a keeper, don’t you?”
And hell, if it wasn’t impossible to keep the smile from my face for the rest of the day.
Or at least until I pulled into Danica’s driveway that night.
Nerves ran like psychotic hamsters through my body as I parked my truck next to the other big truck and turned off the ignition.Lights were on in the house, and I could see shadows moving through some of the windows.No blinds were drawn, but I was parked at an angle that prevented me from seeing directly inside.
While I understood why Gabrielle wanted to have me over for dinner, it also felt too soon.
Was this the way Americans did things?
Then again, Danica and I had spent every day together since meeting a little over a week ago, and parts of me were ready to make her a permanent fixture in my life.So maybe it wasn’t too soon.
The hollow pit of dread in my stomach said otherwise.
I did take a small dose of Ativan before I left the house, which was something my doctor said was okay to do in situations where I might feel more anxious than normal.It was a low enough dose, and I’d been doing it long enough that I was safe to drive.It just helped take the edge off my nerves and kept me from pitching into that deep well of unmanageable panic.
I didn’t think it’d kicked in yet though.
I sat there for another few minutes, breathing deeply in through my nose and out through my mouth.My eyes stayed closed, and I focused on nothing but my breath until all thoughts, the good and the bad, faded away to nothing but blurry images and faint indecipherable chatter in the background.
I could do this.
For Danica, I could do this.
The delight in her eyes when I agreed to come was enough to make me agree to walk across a mile of hot coals.And in some ways, this felt very similar.
Knock!Knock!Knock!
I jolted in the driver’s seat, and my eyes flew open as my heart launched itself up my throat.Standing on the other side of my window was a woman I vaguely recognized.She cocked her head to the side, causing her thick, curly, brunette hair to fall in the same direction.“You okay?”she asked.
I nodded, reached into the passenger seat for the still-warm loaf of Italian bread I’d baked earlier today, and opened the door.“Si.Sorry.Just …”
She smiled warmly.“No need to apologize.I get it.I’m Naomi.”
“Tommaso.But just call me Tom.”
“Come on, Tom, let’s go eat.”She jerked her head toward the stairs that led to a small porch with a tall planter, heaving with daffodils.“Is that bread?Did you make it?God, it smells good.”
“Si.Si.Grazie.”
She opened the door without knocking.“Love the accent too.I’m a sucker for an accent.”
“Nay?”came a voice from deeper inside the house.
