but—”
“Forget the buts. Just go with that. After all, it’s only a second date. Being essentially a good guy should be enough to get me a second date with you—I mean, given the all-important presence of the spark.”
“You are incredibly persistent, you know that?”
“I can be, when I want something bad enough.”
She moistened her lips. “Um, how bad is bad enough?”
He thought again about another kiss. But he didn’t try for one. He only gazed down at her, steadily, trying his best to look both determined and hopeful.
She sighed. “You’re right, I suppose.”
“Of course I am,” he declared with firmness. And then he arched a brow at her. “Er, right about what?”
That soft mouth was trying really hard not to smile. “Well, that it’s only a second date. And there is the spark—”
“Exactly. Come with us on Sunday.”
She did smile then. For Connor, that smile was like the sun coming out on a rainy day. “Yes,” she said. “All right.”
Now he had what he wanted, he almost couldn’t believe it. He stared down at her, speechless.
“What are you thinking?” she demanded, when several seconds had passed without a single word from him.
“You said yes.”
“You’re surprised?” Her eyes sparkled.
“I guess I am.”
“Well, Connor, you were very convincing—but there is a condition.”
“Name it.”
“I’m inviting Jerilyn, too.”
Chapter Four
Connor drove home in a pleasant haze of satisfaction. In spite of her objections, Tori had agreed to a second date. He felt pleased all out of proportion.
And Sunday wouldn’t be the end of it. There would be a third date. And a fourth. And more after that. He was certain of it. The summer ahead was looking potentially brighter and more enjoyable than he ever would have imagined.
Until tonight, he’d seen this summer as a series of unpleasant but necessary steps, of things that he needed to do to get his life back on track: to try to get to know his son, to be a better brother to his sister. And to acquire a new property in tough times and make that property profitable in spite of everything.
Now, there was pleasure involved, too. Because of a certain strawberry-blonde schoolteacher with a cute smattering of freckles across her nose.
At home, Gerda, his live-in housekeeper, was already in bed. Light bled out from under the door of CJ’s room. Connor listened for the sounds of weapons firing and objects exploding.
Nothing. Just silence. CJ probably had his headphones on.
He looked at his watch. Almost one.
With a weary sigh, he tapped on the door. No answer. He tapped again, louder.
“What?” Muffled, annoyed, from inside.
Connor pushed the door open and went in.
As expected, CJ sat on the end of the bed, fully dressed, wearing headphones and working a controller. “What?” Eyes on the screen, thumbs flying.
Connor said nothing. He went over and sat next to his son on the bed. He watched the violence on the silent screen while CJ continued to play his game.
Several minutes passed. Connor felt his own impatience rise. He ignored it. He breathed slowly and evenly and he stared at the screen, sitting absolutely still.
Finally, CJ paused the game, took off his headphones, and glared at him. “I asked you, what?”
Connor spoke in a friendly tone. “I had a date with Tori Jones tonight. Had a really good time, too.”
CJ gaped. For some reason, Connor found his son’s surprise inordinately satisfying. “Ms. Jones? She went out with you?”
Connor played it cool. “That’s right. And she’s coming with us to the picnic Sunday.”
“What picnic?” CJ pretended not to remember, though Connor had told him more than once that they were going.
“Out at the Hopping H.”
“Oh, great.” Meaning it wasn’t. “Forget it, okay? I’m not going to any picnic out at Aunt Melanie’s ranch.”
“Suit yourself.”
CJ slanted him a suspicious look; Connor usually didn’t give in that easily.
Connor got up and crossed to the door, turning back to deliver the zinger. “I’m sure Jerilyn will be sorry you couldn’t make it.” He stepped over the threshold.
CJ stopped him before he shut the door behind him. “Okay, wait.”
Connor faced the room again. “It’s late. Turn off the game and go to sleep.”
“You’re serious.” CJ squinted at him, as though trying to see inside his head. “Jerilyn will be there.”
If she accepts Tori’s invitation. “I’m serious.”
“Okay, fine. I guess I don’t mind going.”
Connor remembered Tori’s advice. “Another thing.”
“What?” CJ asked in a guarded mumble.
“You should ask Jerilyn to come over to the house. And any other new friends you’ve made in town.”
“What for?”
“I don’t know, just to … hang out. Plus, I’d like to get to know your friends a little.”
CJ frowned as he turned Connor’s suggestion over in his mind, no doubt looking for the catch. He found it. “Get to know them? Why? So you can ask them all kinds of questions?”
Connor suppressed a sigh. “No. Because they’re your friends, that’s all. I would like to meet your friends.”
CJ thought about that for a minute. Apparently, he found Connor’s reasoning acceptable. He gave out a grudging, “I’ll think about it.”
“Good. And go to bed.”
“Oh, all right.” CJ grabbed the remote and turned off the flatscreen.
“Good night,” said Connor, as he pulled the door shut after him.
Faintly,
