Her heart fluttered against her earlier warnings to herself. “My, my, was that one of those compliments you mentioned?”
Maintaining his grin, he winked. “Told you you’d recognize it.”
Chapter Six
Landon piddled around his apartment in an unsettled state. Ever since the trip to Jasper Lake last month, his life had changed, but not in an obvious way that made it easy to pinpoint the discontentment.
His relationship with his parents remained much the same, at least on the level that mattered. He’d apologized to his dad for the cruel remarks, but it didn’t change how Landon felt in his heart. They had formed a truce of sorts, however, which Gran had noticed. She used that as justification that her conditional acceptance of his gift had been worth the break of protocol.
He wasn’t about to correct her and break her hope, thus he kept pretending. His siblings had raised a few brows when he greeted his parents rather than ignoring them, but they didn’t press him for an explanation.
What was bothering him, then?
I miss Jasper Lake.
Was that it? His routes had kept him south the last few weeks instead of heading north. The town of Jasper Lake had seared an impression on his soul. When he was there, peace came over him. Would it be weird to make a drive there for no reason other than he wanted to go?
Are you sure there’s no other reason?
A certain brunette with highlights and thoughtful amber eyes might have something to do with it.
He liked Jessa. She was pretty and had a sense of humor that matched his. She also had keen insight for a woman her age. He’d met few women in their twenties who had her maturity without earning it through major life events. Like his sister, Tanya who was two years younger than him. Being a single mom for almost seven years had made her wise beyond her age.
Plus, he felt comfortable around Jessa. There were few people in his life he’d open up to. Before Jessa, Gran, and Archer were the only two he could name, and on rare occasions, Tanya. His ease around Jessa came naturally. Was she like that with everyone, or did they share a unique connection?
He pulled out his phone, thought about calling her. They’d shared two phone calls and half a dozen text conversations over the last month. She’d asked when he’d be up that way again, but he didn’t have an answer. It all relied on where dispatch sent him.
But taking Gran there had nothing to do with work.
That was true. Why not plan a day trip for the weekend and get it out of his system? If he went and still felt restless, then that eliminated a potential cause. He opened his calendar app. Of course, he’d decide to make a random trip during the most hectic month of the year. Parties and programs galore.
He scrolled through the days. Lacy, his niece, had a Christmas program at school on Friday evening and another at church on Sunday. That left Saturday, but was he up for the drive with so much going on the other days? Next Saturday was his company Christmas party, and the following one his Sunday school party. He could get out of the former, but that also happened to be the day his family had agreed to go pick out a Christmas tree for Gran’s house.
This Saturday was the only day he had open.
Should he call Jessa and run it by her? If he did, was that an open invitation to seek more from her? Weighing his options, he bit the inside of his cheek. He wanted nothing more than friendship—because she deserved better than him.
He had always been careful to avoid women looking for long-term relationships. He wouldn’t risk falling in love, marrying, and having kids, only to turn out selfish like his parents. He didn’t want to believe he’d be that type, but genetics weren’t in his favor—both his parents carried theborn to leavegene.
But friends could visit each other. Who said it had to mean more?
Jessa probably had plans. After all, December was prime family time, and hadn’t she mentioned Jasper Lake had Christmas bazaars and such?
Stop being a wuss and call her. You want to see her.
All right, all ready. I’ll give her a call and see if she has plans for Saturday.He hated when his conscience called him out.
He pulled up her number and tapped the dial icon. To his surprise, not a trace of nervousness set in as he waited for her to pick up. That had to be a good sign.
She answered out of breath. “Hello.”
“Jessa? Everything okay?”
“Oh, Landon. Hi.” Her voice perked up. “I didn’t see who was calling before I answered, and everything is fine. The wind outside is insane, and just walking home from the office was a chore.”
“I can call back if it’s not a good time.”
“Now’s fine.” A rustling sound traveled over the line, and he suspected she was unbundling from her winter gear. “Once I get a cup of coffee in me, I’ll be good to go.”
