She nodded. “Me, too.” She ran a hand along the top of the piano. “It was one of the first songs I learned to play.”
“You’re a natural. When you said you played the piano, I figured you probably plunked around on it from time to time. But this.” He shook his head in awe. “You are incredibly talented. You should do something with your music.”
He watched as doubt clouded her features. What happened to make her question her talent? He wanted to know. He wanted to know everything about her.
Suddenly, this seemed like the right time. They were alone—well, mostly alone since Mia was sleeping—and the sanctuary was quiet. Now that the wedding was over, who knew when he’d have the chance to really talk to Lynn again?
He shifted on the bench to face her. “Lynn, I’ve been thinking and praying a lot lately.” He swallowed hard. “You’ve been so kind to Mia. She’s completely taken with you, I hope you know that. And she’s not the only one.”
As his words sank in, Lynn pulled one corner of her bottom lip between her teeth. Nathan wanted to capture her lips with his then and there. He took in a deep breath to steady the gallop of his heart.
Lynn shook her head and released her bottom lip. “There’s a lot about me that you don’t know, Nathan. Things I need to tell you—but not here. Not right now.” The way she cast a furtive glance at the doors made it seem as though she might be ready to escape at any moment.
What all could she possibly have to tell him? Whatever it was, he was certain they could work through it. Together.
Nathan rested a hand on her shoulder and let his thumb lightly brush against her neck. There he could feel each heartbeat as she looked into his eyes. “We’ll find a time to talk and soon. I promise.” Mia stirred and he knew that their private moment was likely coming to an end. “I care about you, Lynn. It’d be easy for me to fall in love with you. I’m already well on my way. What I need to know is whether you could feel the same way about me.”
He held his breath and counted the pulses of her heart beneath his thumb. What if she turned him down? What if she got up and left without saying anything at all?
He watched a mix of emotions cross her eyes. Her lashes fell, creating dark crescents against her pretty cheeks, only to lift again a moment later. When her lips parted, her soft voice had his entire attention.
“I’m scared, Nathan. Because I’m falling in love with you, too.”
Nathan released the air he’d kept trapped in his lungs, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. His relief colliding with exhilaration had him leaning in to gently cover her lips with his own.
He took his time, gently exploring her lips in a chaste kiss that blew every other kiss he’d ever experienced right out of the water. Lynn’s hand went to the back of his neck and he moved to pull her closer when the sanctuary door banged open.
Lynn jumped and their kiss ended way before Nathan wanted it to. He looked toward the entrance to find Chess standing there, an amused look on his face. “Sorry, guys. Brooke and I are about to head out, and we didn’t want to leave before saying goodbye.” He turned and spoke to someone in the hallway, then held the door open for Brooke to enter the sanctuary before him.
Nathan admired Lynn’s beautiful face for a moment before taking her hand and helping her stand. He’d thought about keeping her hand in his, but she stepped away as Mia sat up and rubbed her eyes with one fist.
Brooke and Lynn reached the little girl at the same time. Brooke smoothed some hair out of Mia’s eyes. “You did such a great job, Mia. I’m proud of you. And your dress looks so pretty.”
As though she’d just remembered her dress, Mia stood from the chair and ran a hand down the fabric to straighten it with her chubby little hands. Both women chuckled.
Chess moved to stand next to Nathan. “You’ll have to fill me in later. Although I think I can guess at the outcome of your discussion.” His eyes twinkled.
Nathan tipped his head toward the women. “And I think you have something more important to worry yourself about right now.”
Chess grinned. “Yes. Yes, I do. I just wish I could take her on a proper honeymoon now.”
Brooke was in the middle of some college classes, and the couple had decided to wait until summer to go somewhere together. They’d have the weekend before life would return to normal. Or, at least, their new normal.
“It’s just a couple of months. It’ll be worth the wait.” Nathan went to lift Mia in his arms. “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s go wave to Uncle Chess and Aunt Brooke.”
Lynn picked up the diaper bag, but Nathan took it from her and slung it over one shoulder. Then, in a move he knew was probably bold, he reached for her hand. The moment he had it nestled within his, he felt her relax and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
This. He could so get used to this.
~*~
It’d only been a few days since he’d arrived in Fort Worth, but Jeb was already going stir-crazy. Yesterday, he’d tried to occupy himself by going to a mall and looking around. It didn’t work, though.
Before leaving Tennessee, Jeb set up alerts on his social media accounts to inform him if someone posted anything to do with Bethany Truitt. He often got pings for just Bethany, or even Truitt associated with other things.
Every time his phone pinged, he was checking to see if there was another sighting of Bethany. Each time, he’d been disappointed.
He’d convinced his brother he’d only be gone for a few days, but Jeb knew full well he’d wait however long it took. Even if it meant spending way too much time staring at the drab wallpaper of his hotel room.
