Her Perfect Man by Jillian Hart Page B

way she expected love to be. Love had not meant that in his view.
    “Now, tell me more about this Chad.”
    Here it came. Rebecca stepped into her bedroom and grabbed her Bible and her study book from the nightstand. “He belongs to our church, he volunteers at the day camp program, and that’s all I’m going to tell you.”
    “He must be nice if you like him.”
    “I wouldn’t be friends with him if he wasn’t.” She couldn’t help laughing. Her sisters. She shook her head. What was she going to do with them? First off, she was going to give thanks for them as soon as she could. “I think it’s time we talked about you. How are you doing? Do you need anything?”
    “I’m great, although time has never passed so slowly. There’s so much to do to get ready for this baby, and I’m sitting here with my feet up.”
    “That’s why you have us, you know. I’m happy to do anything for you.”
    “I’m fine. Just a little frustrated. I want time to move faster so this baby will be here safe and sound and Jack and I can dote on him.”
    “I want that, too.” Rebecca heard her cell phone chime in the other room. Chad leaving a message? And why was she hoping so?
    “Oh, I’ve got Aubrey calling in. I’d better take this. I need to get their flight information,” Katherine said.
    “Okay. Bye.” She hung up just in the nick of time because she feared Katherine was going to turn the conversation right back around to Chad.
    Her family would come to understand in time when they saw she meant what she said. She had plans that involved keeping her heart safe, thank you very much.
    She hung up the phone and headed toward the living room. Her cell was on the coffee table where she’d left it, with a new next message. Okay, she didn’t have to read it right away, did she?
    She sat down on the couch and set her books on the cushion beside her. It was a lovely room. Katherine had left most of her furniture behind when she married Jack, since his house was fully furnished. Rebecca had always felt comfortable in this place, and now that her own things were here, too, she felt settled. Part of her would always want the dream of a husband, kids and a roomy house for all of them, though for now, she was cozy. She loved this condo, but maybe it was time to start deciding what she wanted besides the dream.
    Good friends had to be one of those things, so she reached for her phone.
    Thnx for the great evening.
    That made her smile. Thnx for the great company.
    His answer zipped right back. Looking forward to tomorrow.
    Me, too, she typed, smiling all the way down to her soul.

Chapter Eight
    “S o this is a burrito buffet.”
    Rebecca grabbed a tray and a plate and took her place in line. “It’s build your own. Don’t tell me you have never built your own burrito before.”
    “Can’t say as I have. I hadn’t realized I was lacking in some important basic skills.”
    “It’s a good thing you’re hanging with me.” She set the tray on the metal bars and waited her turn to choose a tortilla. “I take it you didn’t go out for burritos in Oregon.”
    “Not like this.”
    “Oh, so you normally hang out at ritzier places?”
    “Yes. My parents tended to drag me to the nicer establishments.”
    “I’m starting to get a better picture of the real Chad Lawson.” Rebecca grabbed the tongs and lifted a giant-size spinach tortilla and dropped it on her plate. She handed Chad the tongs and noticed his appalled look. “Don’t worry. I didn’t mean that in a bad way.”
    “Well, I just don’t want you to get the wrong impression.”
    “What wrong impression?” She scooted her tray down to the choice of meats and ladled spicy chicken into the center of her tortilla. “You’re not a bad guy.”
    “Oh, thanks.” He grinned, showing his dimples. “But I’ve made my share of mistakes. I’ve told you that.”
    “Yes, I believe the term you used was whopper.” She returned the spoon and reached for a ladleful of