Page 11 of One Lustful Summer
I rush to her side and help her up. “Are you okay?” My fingers wrap around her forearm as she steadies herself.
With her foot free from the rotten wood, she leans into my hold. “Yeah, just embarrassed.”
I take a step closer, her scent filling my senses. “Nothin’ to be embarrassed about,” I tell her as I take another step closer.
I run my finger over her check and tuck in her stray hair. Her soft skin is such a contrast to mine. Her lips part and I want a taste. My eyes flick to hers and she watches me. Her tongue swipes at her lips, preparing them for what she wants. And who I am to disappoint.
I lean in the rest of the way, a hair breath away, ready to take what I want. But I don’t get the choice. My cell phone rings loud and annoyingly in between us.
I step back to take the call and see the hurt and confusion in her eyes. I try to make quick work on the call and get finished so I can get back to her. Instead, she gives me a wave and walks back inside, stepping over the step that has a hole in it.
Chapter 8
Maggie
The Pauling Farmer’s Market is a buzz on Saturday morning. There are tents set up with vegetables, fruits, sourdough bread, cookies, muffins, meat packages, eggs, and different homemade items.
I have tried to stop by each tent. Currently, I’m browsing through a tent that offers goat’s milk soap. I take my time smelling the different concoctions, each one a new and intriguing smell. I settle on a lavender brick and a blueberry brick of goat’s milk soap; I pay the vendor and walk out of the tent in search of Lauren.
I almost declined Lauren’s invitation last night when she texted, but I’m glad I didn’t. It’s a pleasant reprieve from working on the house. I had hopes that my little adventure today would get me out of my funk. I’ve spent too much time thinking of the could have been kisses with Rowan.
I had heard of farmer’s markets, but never visited one before. It seemed everyone that lived in Pauling was downtown, visiting the tents and getting their purchases for the week. My fabric grocery bag is over loaded already with two large zucchinis, a bunch of carrots, and a head of broccoli. All great ingredients to make a large stir-fry.
I find Lauren coming back from the lemonade trailer, two big, oversized plastic containers filled with freshly squeezed lemonade. Half lemons still resting in the container’s bottom.
”Here you go, girl,” Lauren says as she hands one to me.
“Thank you,” I answer, bringing the straw to my lips. I take a sip, the taste explodes on my tongue. The sweetness, the bitterness, everything working together. It is cool and refreshing on this hot and humid morning. “Oh, thanks. I needed that.”
“Did you find some soaps?” Lauren asks.
I nod and show her the soaps I found, and she takes a sniff, oohing over the smell.
“Lulu,” a little girl yells as she runs up to Lauren, throwing herself against her legs and squeezing. She’s so cute, her lopsided pigtails swaying with her movements.
Lauren’s eyes light up in excitement at the little girl. She bends down to her eye level. “Hey, Jodi. Who you here with today?”
“Daddy and I came to take a look at what everyone has, and then to the diner for a late breakfast.”
There is a familiarity between Lauren and Jodi. Like they have known each other forever. Green eyes stare back at me, reminding me of eyes that I have been trying to forget all morning.
“Jodi-bug,” a gruff voice calls from behind me. The voice is familiar, sending goosebumps down my arms. I turn to the side and see Rowan, his eyes on the little girl as he walks closer to us.
“Hey, Daddy!” Jodi answers with gusto.
Daddy?Rowan is a dad? Is he married? Where is her mother? Is that why he wouldn’t kiss me? Is he involved with Jodi’s mother? My breath rushes out as the questions swirl in my head.
Rowan’s head whips my way. His eyes widen when he sees me standing next to Lauren. He must have been so focused on his daughter that he didn’t notice me.
His daughter. I did not expect this turn of events. I guess I have been misreading every interaction I have had with him.
“Maggie,” Rowan states with a smile. He doesn’t look guilty or concerned that I’ve come face to face with his daughter. That eases a little of my confusion.
“Hi, Miss Maggie. I’m Jodi.” The little girl steps away from Lauren and stands in front of me. She is so outspoken and cute. She isn’t aware of the internal turmoil I’m having.
“Nice to meet you, Jodi,” I tell her as I crouch down to her level like Lauren did. She sticks her little hand out and I give her a gentle shake.
When I stand back up, Jodi is telling her dad that she’s ready to eat. Jodi asks Lauren and me to come as well. Lauren agrees and looks over to me.
