happiness.
After dinner, Ben guided her behind the restaurant, down the sloping embankment to Riverfront Park.
The park skirted the banks of the Cumberland River, and though usually packed with tourists and locals in the summer, the autumn chill left the walkway mostly clear of pedestrians.
Jenna didn’t mind the cool breeze. It felt magical, swaying her hair, sweeping past her face, her bare arms. She savored the enchanting feeling and breathed in the crispness. When a warmth stirred in her belly, she leaned into Ben, squeezed the hand that was holding hers.
During the course of a few hours, Jenna had found a sense of calm and comfort she hadn’t remembered existed. At least not around a man.
She had promised herself to be open with Ben tonight. No pretenses, no reservations, no falling into her trap of expecting the worst. She’d determined before he even knocked on her door that she was just going to simply be herself. See how it went, how they merged and meshed, see if those physical feelings he stirred amounted to anything more.
She couldn’t believe how far her expectations had been surpassed. How happy she was.
Maybe it was the dreamlike night, the soft lapping waves, or the man beside her, but Jenna was aware of a change in herself. Or at the very least, the beginnings of one. And after being stuck in the muck (as Robin so sweetly pointed out) for three years and counting, change meant a lot.
Lifting her eyes to the starry sky, Jenna felt as though she could fly. She wanted to lift her arms and see if it was possible. With the feelings that were floating around inside her, she thought it just might be achievable.
As they curved toward the water, she watched the busy ripples, the small waves break. “I love that sound. It’s so soothing.”
“Reminds me of a summer day. Vacationing at the beach and not a worry in the world.”
Jenna smiled as a youthful twosome stepped to the side, leaving the brief narrow strip in the path clear for Ben and Jenna. The carefree smile the young woman gave Jenna spoke of kinship and understanding. It was like an approval, an I know we’re in the same boat and isn't it great? look.
Jenna couldn’t say why, but all at once, the warmth in her belly cooled, the magic evaporated. If her infatuation was that apparent to a perfect stranger, how desperate and clingy did she seem to Ben? Why was she snaked around him so tightly? Embarrassed, she unwound her hand from his, consciously put space between them.
“Something wrong?”
“No, it’s just cool out. This dress doesn’t provide much coverage . . .” She pulled at the material as if tugging at it would create more substance.
“Thank the Lord for that,” Ben mumbled.
Instinctively, she swatted his arm. “What I was trying to say,” she enunciated each word, “was in an attempt to not have my teeth chatter, I was holding on to you rather closely. And I apologize.”
He nodded subtly, kept the pace.
When they walked several more yards, she stopped, turned to him with a flare of impatience. “Say something.”
“You and I both know it isn’t that cold out here.” His eyes drifted to the sky. “Nice breeze, sun’s setting, no humidity. Ideal night for walking by the water with a lovely lady melded to you . . . even if she doesn’t want to admit it’s because she wants to.”
She attempted to glare at him, considered a snide remark, but instead decided to be true to her promises for this night and her willingness to accept change—especially if it was good. Besides, she couldn’t—no, wouldn’t—let herself ruin this night of perfection. He’d planned so carefully, so well. He was considerate, kind, worth her time and explanations. And how could she say a cross word to those bright eyes, full of so much enjoyment now in the midst of her temper and edginess?
A small wooden bench sat off the path. Jenna grabbed Ben, walked him over with her. She sat, placed her clutch in her lap, took
After dinner, Ben guided her behind the restaurant, down the sloping embankment to Riverfront Park.
The park skirted the banks of the Cumberland River, and though usually packed with tourists and locals in the summer, the autumn chill left the walkway mostly clear of pedestrians.
Jenna didn’t mind the cool breeze. It felt magical, swaying her hair, sweeping past her face, her bare arms. She savored the enchanting feeling and breathed in the crispness. When a warmth stirred in her belly, she leaned into Ben, squeezed the hand that was holding hers.
During the course of a few hours, Jenna had found a sense of calm and comfort she hadn’t remembered existed. At least not around a man.
She had promised herself to be open with Ben tonight. No pretenses, no reservations, no falling into her trap of expecting the worst. She’d determined before he even knocked on her door that she was just going to simply be herself. See how it went, how they merged and meshed, see if those physical feelings he stirred amounted to anything more.
She couldn’t believe how far her expectations had been surpassed. How happy she was.
Maybe it was the dreamlike night, the soft lapping waves, or the man beside her, but Jenna was aware of a change in herself. Or at the very least, the beginnings of one. And after being stuck in the muck (as Robin so sweetly pointed out) for three years and counting, change meant a lot.
Lifting her eyes to the starry sky, Jenna felt as though she could fly. She wanted to lift her arms and see if it was possible. With the feelings that were floating around inside her, she thought it just might be achievable.
As they curved toward the water, she watched the busy ripples, the small waves break. “I love that sound. It’s so soothing.”
“Reminds me of a summer day. Vacationing at the beach and not a worry in the world.”
Jenna smiled as a youthful twosome stepped to the side, leaving the brief narrow strip in the path clear for Ben and Jenna. The carefree smile the young woman gave Jenna spoke of kinship and understanding. It was like an approval, an I know we’re in the same boat and isn't it great? look.
Jenna couldn’t say why, but all at once, the warmth in her belly cooled, the magic evaporated. If her infatuation was that apparent to a perfect stranger, how desperate and clingy did she seem to Ben? Why was she snaked around him so tightly? Embarrassed, she unwound her hand from his, consciously put space between them.
“Something wrong?”
“No, it’s just cool out. This dress doesn’t provide much coverage . . .” She pulled at the material as if tugging at it would create more substance.
“Thank the Lord for that,” Ben mumbled.
Instinctively, she swatted his arm. “What I was trying to say,” she enunciated each word, “was in an attempt to not have my teeth chatter, I was holding on to you rather closely. And I apologize.”
He nodded subtly, kept the pace.
When they walked several more yards, she stopped, turned to him with a flare of impatience. “Say something.”
“You and I both know it isn’t that cold out here.” His eyes drifted to the sky. “Nice breeze, sun’s setting, no humidity. Ideal night for walking by the water with a lovely lady melded to you . . . even if she doesn’t want to admit it’s because she wants to.”
She attempted to glare at him, considered a snide remark, but instead decided to be true to her promises for this night and her willingness to accept change—especially if it was good. Besides, she couldn’t—no, wouldn’t—let herself ruin this night of perfection. He’d planned so carefully, so well. He was considerate, kind, worth her time and explanations. And how could she say a cross word to those bright eyes, full of so much enjoyment now in the midst of her temper and edginess?
A small wooden bench sat off the path. Jenna grabbed Ben, walked him over with her. She sat, placed her clutch in her lap, took
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