Page 61 of Landing Love

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The table was set, and Ann was putting the finishing touches on dinner when Bill walked through the door. She wasn’t sure what to expect from him, given how they’d parted. Would he be upset with her for asking him to come clean with his friends?

A part of her wanted to take back the hurtful things she’d said. Even if they were honest, maybe it wasn’t fair to make such demands on him when he’d been so kind. But she still needed to know how the conversations went with his friends. Did he go through with them? To give him her heart, she needed to be certain of his. But she still harbored oh-so-many doubts.

As soon as the door was closed, Bill dropped everything, strode over to her, and kissed her with a fury that took her breath away.

Thank heavens! He’d forgiven her. There was no way he would kiss her like that if he was still upset with her. She leaned into him, relishing his taste and letting the warmth of his embrace unfurl slowly from her core right down to her toes. It was so tempting to sink into his affection and let her worries go, and for a moment, she did.

Releasing her at last, he murmured, “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too.” She sighed, her body still tingling.

He went over and picked up Junior. “I missed you too, little sweet pea.” He cradled Junior against him and kissing the top of his head. “Have you been taking good care of your mama and making sure she stays out of trouble?”

Junior cooed and grabbed his nose, and Ann couldn’t remember ever seeing anything so adorable in her life.

“Oh, I see. And what have you two rascals been up to in my absence?” Bill asked Junior, tickling his belly.

Gracious! Did Bill have to be so distractingly attractive? There were serious things Ann needed to speak to him about. Bracing herself, she took out dishes and silverware and started setting the table. She needed something to do with her hands to quell her nerves. “I spent yesterday afternoon at Mary’s and this morning with your mother.”

He straightened and looked at her intently. “And how was your conversation with Mary?”

With reluctance, she met his gaze. The vulnerable look in his eyes told her that he was hanging on her every word. “She confirmed what you said. She explained your fibs as blarney intended to entertain that got out of hand. I still don’t like it, but I understand better. I hope that your days of telling tales like that are at an end. I also hope that you treat what happens between us as private. Bedroom matters should stay in the bedroom.”

“You have my word.” He looked her in the eyes as he said it, any hint of his usual mischievous humor gone.

Good. He was taking this seriously.

But then Junior grabbed at his lower lip, and Bill pretended to eat him up. It was all she could do to keep her expression solemn in the face of such a display.

“I appreciate that,” she said, putting the last dish on the dinner table. “Dinner is ready. Come sit down.”

He put Junior back on his blanket with a kiss on his forehead and came over to pull out Ann’s chair for her, playing the gallant as usual.

Once she was seated, he went and sat at his place. He said a brief grace, and they ate as she tried to summon the courage to continue the conversation. They definitely weren’t finished yet.

“Did you have a chance to speak with your friends?” Ann asked in as light a voice as she could manage. It might ruin their dinner, but she needed to know.

“I did, but I’m afraid they didn’t believe me.”

She looked him in the eyes and found no deception in his gaze. Then he truly had gone through with it. That should have been more of a relief than it was. “Mary thought they wouldn’t.”

“Mary is far too perceptive sometimes.”

“She also loves you dearly. She has nothing but good things to say about you.” She speared some green beans with her fork, trying to believe her friend’s assurances. There was every reason to give Bill the benefit of the doubt here, but some corner of her heart still mistrusted. Anyone else would have given in by now, but she simply wasn’t built like that. Trust and love had always taken time for her, and Bill was no exception, no matter how endearing.

“She’s the best big sister a man could have.” He took a bite of salmon. “Mmm. Delicious. You’re a much better cook than me.”

As they ate, Bill kept up a steady stream of conversation, telling her about his flight, his hotel in DC, Pritchard’s secret talent for drawing. Ann listened, mostly silent as she pondered why she couldn’t simply give in to his obvious affection for her. He was a good man. He’d saved her from disaster twice now. This should have been easy.

After dinner, she brought out the last of the strawberry cake in the icebox. “We should finish it off before it goes stale.”

It truly was a delicious cake, and the fresh bite of lemon on her tongue made her smile despite her brooding thoughts. Before she knew it, her plate was empty. She’d been so anxious about whether they’d finish the cake before it went bad, but now that it was gone, she couldn’t help wishing she had more.

“Thank you for a stupendous dinner, my dear.” Bill gathered the plates and put them in the sink. He turned on the faucet and started to wash.

“Oh no! You don’t have to do that.” That was her job. Men didn’t volunteer to do housework like that. Did he think she wasn’t competent at keeping house?