denim-clad knees. She braced the soles of her tennis shoes on the chair’s seat.
Sharron took a drink of her margarita. “Tell me about it. Washing an eighteen-month-old’s hair once is bad enough. Having to do it three times in one day—a nightmare.”
They laughed, and Jenny once more felt a sense of peace. This was right. She was doing the right thing.
“What about Taylor?” she asked Maddy.
“A terror on two legs,” Maddy said with a smile full of love. “That boy of mine is never still. What I wouldn’t give for energy like that.”
“Hear, hear,” Sharron said. “I—”
Whatever she’d been about to say was cut off by the deep, throaty rumble of a motorcycle coming down the driveway. And with that sound, Jenny’s sense of peace flew right up into the starry sky.
Conversation ceased as four pairs of curious eyes looked at her. Maddy was the first to speak. “Who do we have here?”
Jenny couldn’t answer. Her gaze followed her friends’ to the lone figure on the bike. Her heart seemed to catch, stutter, then kick into overdrive as she watched Jared park alongside the Corvette. She knew there was the chance he’d return while her friends were still here; she should have insisted they meet up somewhere else. Tonight held enough challenges without having to deal with Jared and the tangled mess of emotions that always plagued her whenever he was near. But she’d desperately wanted to be on familiar ground for this first reunion.
Slowly, she unfolded her legs and sat up. “No one important,” was all she could say.
The engine fell silent, and the bike’s single headlight doused. Once more the fire was the only light. But even in the darkness, Jared’s tall form was unmistakable as he swung his leg over the bike and removed his helmet.
“That doesn’t look like ‘no one’ to me,” Maddy said, eyeing Jenny. “This wouldn’t happen to be your infamous partner? The one the whole town is buzzing about? I wondered if he’d make an appearance tonight. Don,” she said to her husband, “go over and make sure he joins us.”
Jenny felt her insides drop. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Maddy gave her a twinkling smile. “After everything I’ve heard about him? I do.”
“So do I,” Sharron said, walking over to the nearby picnic table and refilling her margarita.
Don and Jared made their way toward them. Jared wore a pair of faded Levi’s, a dark shirt, and his black leather jacket. His boots sank into the sand with each step. It was practically the same outfit she’d seen him in all week. There was absolutely nothing about it that should trip her heart and cause her breathing to come a little quicker. Nothing at all.
Jenny was saved from having to make introductions as Don took over. When Rob and Jared were introduced, Rob stood and shook Jared’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Jared withdrew his arm and shoved his hand halfway down the front pocket of his Levi’s. “I didn’t know you had friends over,” he said, looking to Jenny. Firelight softened his features, and she felt the weight of his deep blue stare all the way to her marrow. “I’ll leave you all to it. It was nice to meet everyone.”
She should have felt relieved. He was leaving just like she wanted. But as their gazes stayed connected, something passed between them. That look tugged at her and had her saying, “Why don’t you join us?”
Jared looked as surprised as she felt.
“Yes, stay,” Maddy chimed in. “We’re harmless.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” Sharron joked. “But no one will bring out a guitar and force you to sing ‘Kumbaya’ or ‘Michael, Row the Boat Ashore.’ You have my word.”
“There goes my fun for the evening,” Rob joked.
Jared hesitated. It was so brief, Jenny was sure no one else caught it. Then he stepped around her and took the only vacant seat, the one next to her.
Don grabbed a beer out of the cooler and handed it to Jared.
“Thanks,” Jared said, reaching across Jenny to grab the bottle. His arm was so close that if she leaned forward just a fraction, his sleeve would brush against her.
“What do you think of Hidden Lake?” Maddy asked.
Jared popped the top off his beer. “Small.”
Sharron nodded her head. “Give me a big city any day.”
“Are you from around here?” Maddy asked.
“No.”
“Where did you grow up?”
He took a drink. “No one place in particular.”
Maddy shifted in her seat. “How long do you plan on staying?”