Crossing old bridges
Chapter 3
Hi dear Reader,
I don’t have much to share on the personal side to share this week. It has been the usual of work and life.
I have been thinking about doing a reader’s group. Would that be something you are interested?
If that is something you would like, where would you want it to be? If you have other, please comment as to which platform you prefer. Thank you!
I have two new books to share with you today. The first one is by Heather Scarlett. It looks super cute and sweet.
Book Blurb:
Cameron Hudson has been in love with Alexia Lewis for as long as he could remember. He has a ring in his possession to prove it.
Alexia Atwood did the right thing. Made her parents happy and followed their rules. Until she didn't.
Summers spent in Wildwood Falls, Montana were carefree and romantic. Cameron and Alexia were inseparable as young adults. Until the realities of their separate worlds impeded on their fantasy. Alexia went to college and Cameron worked his family ranch.
Years later, as they help to plan their mutual friends' wedding, Alexia and Cameron are forced to revisit the past. Memories are sweeter than they remember and soon they are pulled back down memory lane.
How will Cameron and Alexia be able to put their past behind them and create a new future together?
The second one looks a little bit edgier.
Book Blurb:
Love finds us, but so does she.
I know what it’s like to be underestimated. At almost twenty, I’ve learned that life isn’t easy on people like me—a high school dropout working in a dead-end bar. So when Chad, from an influential family, walks into my life, I think I’ve finally caught a break. But, of course, things are never that simple.
Then there’s Sarah, his ex-fiancée. She can’t, or won’t, let him go. Chad says she’s just struggling to move on, but I’m not so sure. Sarah is everywhere. She’s inserting herself into our business, and her behavior crosses lines I can’t ignore. I try to tell myself she’s just obsessed and harmless, but deep down, I know better.
Now I’m wondering how far she’ll go to get him back and what it will cost me. I’m worried I’m risking my happiness, my sanity, or even my life.
Now on to Chapter 3 of My First Kisment Christmas. If you are just joining us, you can find Chapter 1 here:
Chapter Three
Tim
I watched Judy squirm next me. First, she shifted from one side to another. Then, she tucked her legs under her. She would rub her belly, place a hand on her back, or try to squeeze her calves.
“It’s not comfortable being pregnant,” she said. She moved to set her feet on the floor.
I caught one ankle. “Why don’t you lean against the door, and I can rub your feet?”
She frowned. Cute little lines forming between her brows.
“That’s if you would like that?” Maybe I was too forward.
“No, that sounds wonderful, if you are serious.”
I grabbed the other foot and set them both across my lap as she scooted to rest her back against the door. “My sister always wanted her feet rubbed when she was pregnant.” I took off her tennis shoes and socks.
“I haven’t had any sort of massage. The women in my pregnancy group all rave about them. But you know, I’m alone.” She tilted her head back and closed her eyes.
I ran my hands up and down her calves, massaging the muscle before working the tension from her feet. All the feeling I felt for her all those years ago fought to the surface. I wanted to protect her and the baby. I wanted to give them a home. And most of all I wanted Judy to love me back.
The night we broke up was one of the hardest days of my life. I wasn’t sure what to do. I lost my best friend and my soulmate all at the same time. It changed my world forever. That wasn’t how I had expected the night to go. A sigh escaped and I closed my eyes blocking out the memory.
“That’s a big sigh.” Judy’s eyes searched my face. “If my feet are so bad, you don’t have to do that.”
“It’s not that.” The corner of my lips pulled up a bit. “I was thinking about the night we broke up.”
“Oh.” Her eyes grew sad. “I am sorry.” She chewed on her lower lip. “I think that I disrupted whatever plans you had for the evening.”
“You did.” I concentrated on her foot.
“It was for the best,” she said softly. Her hand rested on my arm.
“Was it?”
Silence filled the space of the cab at my words. Her hand slid from my arm. She started to pull her foot away. I caught it and held. When I looked up, she had tears in her eyes. Her lips turned to a sad small smile.
“It was. Would you have gone to be a pastor? I wouldn’t have the baby.” She ran her hand over her belly. “We weren’t ready to be married, Tim. I needed to see the world.”
“You knew? That I bought a ring?”
“Everyone knew. The moment you told your cousin the whole town knew.” She sighed. “I’m sorry that I broke your heart. Could you forgive me?”
I gently squeezed her foot. “Of course.”
It didn’t matter anymore. She was here. She needed me, if only I could get her to see that before she left.
“How long are you staying in town, again?”
“I leave the day after Christmas to head home.”
I set her feet down and she scooted back to me. I wrapped an arm around her, drawing her close. Her perfume filled my nostrils. She rested her head on my shoulder. Christmas Eve was the day after tomorrow. I had three days to get her to fall back in love with me.
“That was great. Thank you,” she said.
“Anytime,” I murmured into her hair.
I couldn’t lose her again. No, I was going to do everything in my power to re-ignite the flame between us. I just had to figure out how. That was tomorrow’s problem.
She snuggled closer to me. “What a great night.”
“It sure is.” I wasn’t going to let her go, again.
#
Eventually, the other car left the parking lot. Judy fell asleep against my shoulder. I didn’t want to wake her up, but it was getting late. Slowly, I shifted until the key was in the ignition. With a twist, the engine rumbled to life. She bolted up right. Her eyes wide.
“I’m awake.”
I chuckled. “It’s fine. It’s late and I should get you home.”
She yawned and stretched before buckling her seat belt. “You’re probably right.” She leaned back against me. “You don’t mind?”
“Not at all.” My fingers intertwined with hers.
“I’m so tired.” Her eyelids fluttered and she was asleep before we hit the highway.
I nudged her shoulder a few minutes later. “Judy, wake up. You’re home.”
She sat up blinking and looking around. The front porch lights were on, waiting for her. A few other lights in the house shone into the black night. She unbuckled her seat belt and gave me a sad smile.
“My first visit to ‘Make out point’ and I didn’t even get kissed,” she said.
“Well, I can change that if you want.” I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye as I unbuckled my seat belt.
Her mouth formed an O. She blinked. “I think that I’d like that very much.”
I leaned toward her. My hand cupped the back on her neck and my other hand brushed the stray hair from her cheek. Our eyes locked. My chest tightened as my heart pounded against my ribs. How did this woman make me feel this way? Breathing was hard. I licked my lips. Her eyes went to them and back to my eyes.
“I’d like to,” my voice came out deep and gravelly.
She leaned closer. Her eyelids fluttered closed. Her hand pressed against my knee, searing her touch into my skin. Our breath mingled in the cab of my truck. An inch closer. My hand slid to her back.
The porch light flickered off, darkening the truck. Then, it turned back on, dousing the moment in reality.
Judy pulled away. Disappointment clouded her eyes. “That’s my cue,” she said ruefully. “I’m probably passed curfew. Even though, I’m a grown woman.” She rolled her eyes toward the house. “Some things never change.”
I sighed. “Come on. I’ll walk you to the door.”
Back over in the driver’s seat, I opened the door and stepped out. The Texas night air was cool and brisk. Not a cloud covered the bright stars. A car backfired a couple blocks away. Christmas music played from one of the neighboring houses. I opened the truck door for Judy and held her hand as she wiggled her way off the seat and onto the ground. Her hand felt perfect in mine. I clasped it as we ambled up the drive.
“Everything alright?” My brows creased into a frown as I watched her free hand make circles on the side of her belly.
“Yes, the kid is just active at night.” She sucked in a breath. “It is very strong with the kicks.”
“Anything I can do?”
“No, let’s keep walking. That sometimes help.”
I assisted her up the steps to the front porch. She turned to me, and I reached for her other hand. I squeezed them tightly, not wanting to let her go.
“Judy,” I hesitated. “Can I see you tomorrow?” I held my breath, hoping the answer was yes.
She nodded. “I’m looking forward to it.”
She leaned into me and lightly pressed her lips to mine. I wanted to wrap her in my arms and hold her against my heart. I wanted the kiss to last. She pulled away after a moment, leaving me cold and wanting more.
“I better go,” she whispered, taking a little piece of my heart with her as she went into the house.
The door closed behind her. The kiss lingered on my lips. Her nearness flamed my love for her from a smoldering ember to a flame.
“Keep at it, son.” A match struck and a little flame appeared at the side of the house. Ernie lit his cigarette with the burning match.
My eyes adjusted to the darkness. He sat in a chair out of the circle of porch light. A coffee cup sat next to him.
“I plan on it, sir.”
He waved the cigarette at me. “Believe me. We are rooting for you to win back her heart.”
“You are? What about the porch light?” I stepped off the porch toward him.
He chuckled. “Builds suspense, I guess. That’s Sally’s department.”
I shook my head. “I’ll be seeing you tomorrow.”
“Come by around noon.”
“Can do. Thank you, sir.”
Author’s Note: What do you think so far?
Until next week! Hugs,
Allie