Some Bright Someday (Maple Valley #2) - Melissa Tagg Page 0,80

up with Marshall for the ceremony, they’d managed to avoid conversation.

Had Sam finally grown tired of the stalemate?

“To Jen? Yeah, they love her. You’d think they’ve been living with her for two years rather than just two weeks.” Colie had beamed earlier when she’d shown him the locket Jen had given her. And Violet had been the reason he hadn’t been able to sit next to Jen during dinner, insisting on claiming the chair at her right since Colie had already plopped down at her left.

“Not just to Jen.”

He wasn’t in the mood for Sam’s suggestive tone. Not tonight. “If you’ve got something to say, go ahead and say it before Jen comes back.”

“Luke—”

“Yeah, I’ve spent some time with them. Surprising as it might seem, I’m actually pretty good with kids. I know it’s shocking that I’d be good at anything, but it’s the truth.”

“You know I don’t think that,” Sam countered. “Look, I never meant for things to get so weird. I just don’t like that you’ve lied to us. I don’t like thinking Jen could get attached without knowing the full truth—”

“She does know.”

Sam’s brow slanted. “She does?”

“I told her everything the other night. And unlike you, she took it well. Really well.” Really, really well.

Sam’s focus reverted to the dancing. “I’d rather not know what that look means.”

Luke turned to face him. “Good. I’d rather not tell you. But she’s a grown woman, Sam. She doesn’t need to be shielded or protected or worried over.” She was stronger than Sam realized and deeper than most people knew.

And all he wanted tonight was to give her an evening she deserved, filled with everything good.

Sam folded his arms. “I don’t think you’re incapable, by the way. I’m not surprised those kids like you. I’m not surprised Jen does. I just can’t help wondering what it’s going to do to all of them when you leave again.”

Jenessa appeared on the patio, Cade in his usual spot on her hip. “Maybe I’m not going to leave.”

Sam’s head jerked. “You for real?”

“I’ve been thinking about it a lot. Do you think the mayor was serious about that city job? I know that Ferris guy doesn’t like me, but it’s not only up to him.”

“True enough.”

Eyes still on Jen, he was surprised to feel the warmth of Sam’s hand on his shoulder. “Everyone will be happy if you stick around.”

“That means a lot, Sam. ’Specially coming from you.” He peeled his gaze from Jen and shot his friend a smug grin. “A comment like that coming from you is almost sappy.”

“I’ve never been sappy in my life.”

“I’m just saying—”

“Go dance with your girl or something.”

His girl? He wouldn’t have the nerve to go that far just yet. But they would dance. And at some point, they’d talk. Actually talk, not just the bumbling starts and stops that’d cluttered most of their conversations since the other night. Since the kiss.

And somehow, someway he’d find the words to tell her what she meant to him.

But first . . . the dance. Accept the mission. Identify the strategy.

He left Sam at the tree and threaded with swift purpose through the gathering of tables toward where she stood. Jenessa caught sight of him when he was still yards away, the slow spread of her smile doing ridiculous things to him. Who could they find to keep an eye on Cade for a few minutes?

As if she’d read his mind, Jenessa turned to the closest table and oh, Kit and Beckett were there. She handed Cade to Kit and didn’t waste a moment moving away.

They met in the middle. “Dance?” he said.

She nodded and took his outstretched hand. Seconds later, they were at the edge of the crowd of dancers. Nearby, Marshall and Mara swayed to the music, and Colie and Violet were still having a blast of their own, holding hands and swinging in circles.

Complete the mission.

Before his jostling nerves could hinder him, he pulled Jen close. But he’d moved too quickly and she stumbled, bumping into his chest and laughing.

“Sorry,” he rasped, one arm around her waist and the other hand settling on her back. “I don’t do this much. Or ever.” But at least he’d picked a good time for it, a slow song lulling through the air.

“It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have worn heels when I knew I’d be standing on grass most of the evening.”

Her breath warmed his neck. “You could take them off.”

“I would, but now that we’re dancing, I’d rather not