She nodded. “Me, too.”
“Why did you go to England…if you don’t mind me asking?”
He felt her smile against his chest. “No, I don’t mind,” she said, tracing circles on his chest as she spoke. “I took that job because there were no teaching positions here or in our neighboring counties. And it seemed like it could be fun, and perhaps look good on my resume.”
True.
“Why did you decide to come home? Not that I’m complaining,” he added.
For a split second, her fingers stopped stroking his chest before her sweet touch resumed. “My mom told me there were two teachers retiring this year and possibly a third, so I decidedto come home over the Christmas break, so I’d be settled and ready when they opened up the application processes.”
Made sense, but for some reason, he felt as if there was something more.
Or it could just be a lack of brain cells.
“And in the meantime, you took a job at the daycare,” he said.
“Yes.” She tipped her head back and smiled at him. “I can’t sit idle. Missed teaching, and even though it’s not exactly what I was used to, I took the job, and I have to tell you, I’m glad. Working with those very young minds has opened mine. One of the teachers retiring is my old Kindergarten teacher, and that’s the position I now know I want to aim for.”
He smiled. “You’d be perfect for that job.”
“Thanks. And I think you’re perfect for me.”
“Iknowyou’re perfect for me,” he said, placing a kiss on her nose. “And as much as I’d like to show you...”
“Again.” She smiled. “As much as I’d like you to prove that to me,again,we should probably get back to Noah.”
His heart squeezed, partly because he’d momentarily forgotten about his son, and partly because she hadn’t. The woman kept proving more and more that they were exactly what the other one needed.
Twenty-five minutes later, they returned to Holden’s, but this time, Dante was in a much better frame of mind. He felt a contentment he’d never known.
And he liked it.
So much so, that when they got out of his car and began to walk toward the animals, he automatically reached for her hand.
She glanced at him, and as he watched the surprise in her eyes turn to pure warmth, he felt surrounded by it. Engulfed.
Grounded.
She didn’t say anything. There was no need. She just squeezed his hand and they continued to walk toward the sanctuary.
They were halfway there when a car approached on the long driveway.
“Oh, hey.” She squeezed his hand. “Here come my parents.”
Chapter Ten
Dante wasn’t sure what he expected but the middle-aged black guy at the wheel and the pretty brunette in the passenger seat weren’t it. Holden’s earlier amusement regarding her parents flashed through his mind.
That son-of-a-bitch. He laughed to himself. His buddy had known but never said a thing. At least Dante was spared the initial surprise from taking place during introductions.
“Come on,” Amanda said, changing direction without releasing his hand. “They spotted us.”
Having never had to “Meet the Parents” before, he was a little unprepared for the sudden panic attack that squeezed his chest.
Dante wasn’t the type to panic. Ever. So, the experience was completely new, and he didn’t like it.
As if knowing, she gave his hand a slight tug as they continued to walk back toward the house. And when he glanced at her, she smiled.
