New Girl On the Bay by Michelle Dalton

Author:Michelle Dalton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: 3 Umfana Publishers
Published: 2022-09-27T00:00:00+00:00

18

Rhett

“What did you and Rhett do while we were gone?” Ricky wriggled in his booster seat.

“We chatted,” Anna replied.

“About what?” Matty mumbled sleepily.

“Stuff,” Anna said.

“Your friendly kiss?” Earnie yawned.

These boys were nobody’s fool. Rhett glanced in his rear-view to check for cars before he turned and caught Ernie’s watchful gaze. He had never met a kid like this one. Quiet, thoughtful, as though he owned the soul of a wise old man.

“Did you chat about us?” Matty piped up excitedly.

“Sure did. And we wondered if you knew Santa was keeping an extra watchful eye now that Christmas is around the corner,” Rhett said.

A thoughtful silence ensued as the boys considered Rhett’s statement.

“Dad says there’s no such thing as Santa.” Ernie spoke for the first time since they’d left the McMillan’s.

Rhett noticed Anna’s body stiffen, and his hands gripped the wheel a little tighter. He hoped he never ran into the man because he’d feel obliged to teach him a lesson or two.

“But I know he was just being mean because Santa always puts coal in his stockings,” Ernie added, and Rhett chuckled.

“Yeah, Dad’s not a nice dad. But I bet you get plenty from Santa, hey Rhett.” Ricky said.

Anna reached out and squeezed Rhett’s arm.

“Agreed,” she whispered, and Rhett felt a warm sensation cuddle in the center of his chest.

***

Rhett closed the front screen door behind him. The boys were tucked in, and a hundred more of their questions about what was going on between Rhett and Anna answered.

“Perceptive those three of yours are.” He walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her neck, placing a kiss on her forehead.

“Rhett ...” she said. “This ... about this afternoon ... it was amazing but ...”

“But you’re still afraid?”

Anna nodded against his shoulder. “There’s so much more at stake than you and me.”

Her words sliced deep, and Rhett fought to stave a reply that would hurt. She wasn’t speaking out of malice, but fear. He understood this, but it didn’t still the unrest that was brewing in his gut. To him it was more than only attraction. But was she ready to hear that?

“What do we do now?” She stepped away, leaving him cold and uncertain.

God, how had he not known what he was missing all this time? Probably because Anna St. James had only just walked into his life. “I don’t know.”

Losing himself in her hot chocolate gaze, the last sanguine rays of the sun created a soft halo, which hugged her face. Rhett allowed himself to swim in the intense emotions this woman had brought to life within him. Feelings he’d never experienced before. So deep, so natural, so right. Was this why her reluctance scared the bejeezus out of him?

Anna stepped closer, her hand taking his, her large brown gaze bright as a fall bonfire. What was he supposed to do? Not wanting to overthink or overstay his welcome, Rhett leaned in and placed his lips on hers. Their bodies pushed into each other as their embrace deepened and their kiss lingered.

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