Chance Encounter (Take a Chance: Prequel) by Nancy Warren

Author:Nancy Warren [Warren, Nancy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: family saga, romantic comedy, college, new adult
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Three

Daphne smiled when she watched Jack’s book slip out of

his grasp and plop softly to his lap. His breathing had been growing deeper and slower for the last few miles.

His face was turned her way as he slept and she found herself studying him. He seemed wary when he was awake, as though at any second something bad could happen and he needed to be ready. But in sleep, he was still. Vulnerable.

She grabbed her notebook and slid a pencil from her bag stealthily so as not to wake him. She’d never be a great artist, but she’d been sketching since she could remember. She’d drawn caricatures last year for a college fundraiser and they’d been a real hit.

Maybe that’s what she’d do, she thought, as her pencil moved swiftly, set up a stand on a street somewhere and draw caricatures for tourists.

The bus bumped to a stop with a clank and a roar that woke Jack with a start. He glanced swiftly around as though assessing the immediate area for danger.

“We’re in Myrtle Creek,” she said softly. “The bus stops here for half an hour.”

“Right.” He stretched. “You want a coffee?”

She slid a hand to her belly. “Not good for the baby.”

He nodded but she could see he had no idea about what to feed a pregnant woman.

“Could I have some tea?”

“Sure thing.”

“I’ve got some sandwiches and fruit to share.”

He shook his head and his dark hair brushed his shoulders. “I can’t take that kid’s food.”

“I packed a ton of food, but wasn’t hungry.” Until now.

“Okay.”

He climbed off the bus with his pack. Then she decided to stretch her legs too and use the washroom. She grabbed her bag, not because she was worried about anyone stealing anything, but because she wanted her make-up.

Even as she scolded herself, she took a few minutes to wash her face and brush her teeth in the bus station and she swiftly applied cosmetics in the smudged mirror that had a crack in one corner.

She brushed her hair until all the tangles were out and it swing in a loose curtain.

When she got back onto the bus, Jack was already there. He stood so she could squeeze past him then handed her the paper cup of tea. She could see from the way his glance lingered on her face that he liked the look of her. She felt a flicker of the old Daphne. The one who could make guys quiver watching her apply baby oil to her skin at the beach.

She dug out the egg salad sandwiches and was glad she’d packed extra. There were two apples and four bananas. Plus oatmeal cookies and some single serving cans of apple juice.

“What if she turns out to be a crazy old bat?” he said suddenly.

“Who? My great aunt?”

He took a bite of apple, crunching into the fruit with strong white teeth. He nodded.

“I’ll sell caricatures on the street. Not in Hidden Falls, Oregon, obviously. I’d have to go to Seattle. No. Too cold.

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