Newlywed Games by Mary Davis Page A

appearances. Bruce really did care that her mother was doing well. And that meant more to Meghann than she cared to admit.
    “I’m a little tired, but I don’t want to go back just yet. Can we drive around a little longer?”
    Meghann twisted in her seat to face her mother. “If you’re tired, we should go back. You shouldn’t overdo it.”
    “Nonsense. What’s to overdo, sitting in a car and staring out the window? I’m not even driving. It’s very soothing and I’m quite relaxed.”
    “But—”
    Her mother held up a hand to stop her protest, then turned her pale face toward the window. Her eyes were droopy, and she just seemed plain worn out.
    A touch on her hand drew Meg’s attention. Bruce clasped her hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze. He smiled at her, and she eased back in her seat. Thatsmile was her undoing every time! All he had to do was turn it on her, and her heart quickened and her muscles refused to cooperate.
    “Where to, sweetheart?”
    Sweetheart
…If he only meant it. “Anywhere but the middle of town.”
    He lifted her hand and brushed his lips across it with a featherlight stroke. “Your wish is my command.”
    The feel of his lips on her skin sent a shiver coursing through her. Thankfully, he released her hand to steer the car out of the parking lot and back onto the road. She folded her hands in her lap, grateful for a chance to get her riotous emotions back under control.
    The buildings shrank and slowly diminished into the more open countryside, then up into the trees that skirted the northwest edge of town. Meghann rolled down her window and drank in the sweet smell of the pines.
    “Stop!”
    Meghann spun around and a muscle in her neck felt like it snapped. “What is it, Mom? What’s wrong?” She had thought her mother was asleep; she had been so quiet.
    Bruce came to a quick stop on the side of the country road. Fortunately the car behind them was far enough back to swerve around them and not rear-end them.
    “Turn around, turn around,” Mom was staring out the window raptly.
    “What is it?”
    Bruce checked for traffic and made a U-turn.
    “You’ll see.” Her mother’s eyes were bright with excitement. “Turn, turn right here.”
    Bruce made the turn onto the dirt driveway and slowed to a stop.
    “Ohhh, it’s perfect!”
    Meghann turned from her excited, cooing mother to study the sprawling Victorian-style house laid out before her. Though the house itself was settled in the middle of a large clearing, the forest circled it like a cozy blanket. The house was older but had a beauty, character, and charm all its own. The porch stretched across the entire front and wrapped around the length of one side. The roof, windows, and porch awning were edged with delicate gingerbread cutout. But it was the surrounding acreage that intrigued her most. Plenty of land for Lucky to run and play in, trees, and even a small stream. It was like being far out in the country yet close to town.
    Her mother was right; it was perfect. Perfect for a couple in love, for newlyweds looking for a place to call their own.
    Neither of which applied to her and Bruce.
    “Mom, we aren’t ready to buy a house.”
    “You will be soon enough. We can at least look and get some ideas. This is just like those houses you used to cut out of magazines when you were a kid. Look! Someone’s even here.”
    There was indeed a grungy old white pickup truck parked out front with tools and lumber in the bed. Before she could object, her mother was out of the car. Meghann turned to Bruce for help, and all she got wasa helpless shrug. The sight of this beautiful dream house made her mother happy, exhilarated, even robust. What could it hurt to have a quick look around?
    Daffodils and tulips sprang forth from the still cold ground, among the evergreen bushes and stick bushes awaiting spring’s kiss to bud and bare their leafy fruit. This yard would explode with life over the next few weeks, energizing