“When I take that time to connect, reflect, focus on gratitude and being my best…I’m more at peace. The alternative, I’ve found, turns me into a crazed woman who’s ornery, overwhelmed, and missing out on the fact that there’s so much to enjoy. So much to be grateful for.”
Her words were like a blanket of warmth and peace settling over him. Here she was, a single mom, raising her son without a dad, often belittled by her mom, yet focusing on all the good. It was no wonder he was so drawn to her. Ty was good for his soul.
He searched her face, admiring the way the glowing lamplight reflected in her eyes. Admiring the way her dark, shiny hair accented the slight hollow beneath her rosy cheeks. Admiring the strong, compassionate woman she was. If Memphis were smart, he’d ask her out again right now, while the going was so good.
“I’m really glad that you’re working at the inn now.” His gaze drifted to her lips, and a mad wave of longing rushed through him.
Ty took a step closer, one hand still leaning on the wall, and brought the other to glide along the length of his forearm. “I’m glad too.”
Whoa.Her silky touch caused his skin to break out in goosebumps.
“So…hopefully I’ll see you around the inn,” he said.
He detected the slightest hint of a furrowed brow at his comment. “Yeah, that would be nice.” She nodded.
“Okay.” He did some nodding too, then turned to push open the screen door. “Thanks again.”
“Thankyou,”she said. “For fixing my car and giving us rides…”
Memphis stepped into the dark night and spun to get one last glance of her in the doorway. She looked nice in a pair of khaki shorts and a light, cream-colored blouse.
Come on, Memphis! Ask her out.
He gave her one final nod, accompanied by whatever form of a smile he could muster through his self-irritation, and trailed down the porch step toward his car. He kept his gaze decidedly on his truck, and then on the steering wheel as he pulled the seatbelt strap over his lap. Once the thing was clicked into place, Memphis risked a glance toward the house and noticed a long sliver of light at the door. It was gone as soon as he’d spotted it, and he realized that Ty had only just then fully closed the door.
His shoulders sank. “Hopefully I’ll see you around the inn…” he muttered to himself. Memphis knew he shouldn’t be too discouraged; they’d had a great night, after all. But he also knew that he took things more slowly than many guys did.
A vision of Maverick popped into his mind. He would have gone in for a kiss tonight, no doubt. But Maverick hadn’t been the one there. He hadn’t been the one invited. His rowdy twin brother hadn’t caught Ty’s attention the way Memphis had. At least, he hoped he had.
He shook his head and sighed. Soon. He’d give it a day or two, and then he’d ask her out. Perhaps on that tubing adventure they talked about on the river. His temporary gust of encouragement met an early grave when another thought came to mind—hopefully Maverick wouldn’t move in on her and ask her first.
