His eyes crinkled around the edges. “Is that a bad thing?”
“No, only an observation.”
“I never thought I’d go on a date with a Northerner.”
She laughed. “A Northerner? Really? I guess at least you didn’t call me a Yankee.”
He laughed. “Yup. Gotta watch those Northerners. Never know what they might get up to next.”
She acted put out and huffed. “I guess if that’s how you feel…” But her words were silenced by his lips.
When he kissed her, she closed her eyes and her pulse pounded. He rolled onto his side and let one hand creep up her back until he caressed her neck. When he pulled away, she couldn’t speak. Her head was light, and her lips still tingled.
“You know what they say…”
“What’s that?” she whispered.
“Opposites attract.”
Just then, she saw someone in the distance. A man wearing a black hoodie and black jeans. It caught her eye because of the heat — who would dress that way in this weather? It was unseasonably warm for fall. She and Tyler were in light clothing, as was everyone else in the park. The figure moved behind a tree as soon as she looked that way, and she couldn’t see him any longer. She was paranoid. Imagining things. Some people were more prone to being cold than others. She had to stop being so vigilant. It was going to drive her crazy.
“You ready to go home? It’s about to cool off,” he said.
She nodded as a shiver ran through her body. She wasn’t cold, but it was as though something had walked over her grave.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine. Let’s go.” She glanced back over her shoulder. The park was bathed in the golden afternoon sunlight. Long shadows fell from cheerful trees over the green grass. Conversation and laughter filled the air. It was a beautiful day, and all was right in her world.
As they walked back to Tyler’s car, he carried the picnic basket in one hand and reached for her hand with the other. She smiled up at him as they strolled.
Chapter Nineteen
With Julie and James away on their honeymoon, they’d asked Tyler if he would housesit at the farm for them. After the picnic, he drove back to the farmhouse in the dark and parked in front of the barn. He’d forgotten to leave a light on, so he had to fumble around under the welcome mat for the key. It was there somewhere. Hopefully, he hadn’t accidentally knocked it into the flower bed. Nope, he found it. He inserted it into the lock and turned the knob. Thankfully, it opened.
Just as the door swung wide, a pair of headlights flashed across the driveway, and a truck crackled down the gravel drive.
He walked up to the truck and leaned on the driver’s side open window. “Hey, Momma. Whatcha doin’ here?”
She grinned at him. “I thought you might like some dinner. I took a wild guess that you probably hadn’t cooked anything.”
“I got home five minutes ago. So no, I haven’t cooked, but I did have a picnic lunch with Jessica in Piedmont Park.”
“That sounds nice.” She climbed out of the truck. “Grab the cooler in the back, will ya?”
Inside the house, Tyler flicked on a few light switches as he made his way to the kitchen. She was right behind him.
“Doesn’t the place look nice?” she asked.
He nodded. “They’ve done well. Julie will be happy here.”
“I think so too.” Her eyes filled with tears.
Tyler sighed and draped an arm around her shoulders. “Don’t cry, Mom. It’s a good thing. We’re happy for her.”
“I know it’s good. I can’t help crying when I’m happy. You know that.”
He laughed softly. “I do know that, but I can’t understand it.”
