CHAPTER FOURTEEN #2
He noticed she didn’t answer his question. Finally, something he didn’t like about her—the way she prepared liver and onions. Not that he would like it prepared any other way, but he refused to think about that.
Sam slumped. “I didn’t like it when Mom made it, and hers was better.”
Elisabeth drew her lips into a thin line. “Just eat.”
Not one of the kids picked up a fork. Henry had always felt the need to support Elisabeth, but not in this instance.
Backing her up would be something a father would do.
Taking the “mother’s” side. He didn’t want to give the kids the wrong impression.
Especially Caitlin. Besides, it would be hypocritical of him when he wasn’t about to eat the dinner either.
“Ruff wouldn’t eat this,” Sam said.
Elisabeth sighed. “Yes, he would.”
“Why don’t we find out?” Henry suggested. They all needed to have more fun, especially Elisabeth. And if Ruff kept them from having to eat the meal, that would be a bonus. “We can do an experiment like we read about in your science book, Abby.”
Elisabeth frowned. “We’re not going to waste good food.”
“We aren’t,” Sam muttered.
Abby tilted her head. “Dogs aren’t supposed to eat onions.”
Henry didn’t know that. “We’ll remove them.”
“Ruff isn’t going to any of it,” Sam added.
“What’s our hypothesis?” Henry asked.
“That Ruff will not eat the liver,” Abby said.
“Good,” Henry said. “Our assumptions?”
“Ruff has taste buds,” Abby offered.
“The food is inedible,” Sam said.
Elisabeth said nothing, but her eyes were watchful.
“I will perform the experiment.” Henry scooped up a small piece of liver with his fork, wiped off the meat with his napkin to make sure no onions were included, and placed the bite-sized piece on the floor. “Come here, boy.”
Ruff trotted over. He sniffed the meat and gobbled it down.
Elisabeth tilted her chin. “Told you so.”
“What are the conclusions, Abby?” Henry asked.
“We have disproved our hypothesis and one of our assumptions,” Abby explained. “Ruff does not have any taste buds.”
Sam grinned. “Good one, sis.”
Abby beamed.
“She’s convinced me,” Elisabeth capitulated. “You don’t have to eat it.”
The kids cheered. Henry fought the urge to join them, but he didn’t want to be rude and hurt Elisabeth’s feelings.
A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “So, what should we do now?”
“Food fight?” Henry suggested.
The kids leaned over the table toward Elisabeth. Their eyes widened with anticipation.
“No.” It was only one word, but her tone said it all. “Before you complain, what about dinner at the Burger Basket? Gabe said the Suburban was as good as new. We can find out if he’s right.”
“Burger Basket is almost as good as a food fight,” Sam said.
“I want a chocolate milkshake,” Caitlin said.
“This will ruin our budget,” Abby added.
“No, it won’t.” Henry pulled out Elisabeth’s chair for her. “Dinner is my treat.”
She looked at him. “You don’t have to take us out.”
Henry didn’t. He wasn’t her husband or their father or anybody’s provider, but he was their friend. He wanted to do this for them—for her.
It was only dinner at the Burger Basket, not The French Laundry in the Napa Valley.
He was, after all, their fairy godfather. “I want to.”
“Then you have first dibs on the swing tonight,” Elisabeth said.
As long as he could have it all to himself. Because if he sat on the swing with her, if he stared long enough into her caring blue eyes, he might see a reflection of the man she wanted. The man he could never be.
* * *
Sitting on the porch swing, Elisabeth gazed at the millions of stars twinkling in the night sky and smiled.
The lack of city lights on the farm made for the best stargazing.
It was an absolutely perfect evening. Everything about today had been excellent too.
Satisfaction overflowed to the tips of her toes.
The Suburban ran perfectly, her porch had been transformed into a thing of beauty, dinner out with milkshakes had been great, and the game of charades after they arrived home had been so much fun. The kids seemed happier, especially Sam. Elisabeth knew the reason.
Henry.
He was becoming more than just their farmhand; he was becoming a part of their family. She pictured him in her mind, and her pulse skittered. She inhaled sharply.
The realization should have scared her more than it did, especially since Manny had left a message while they were out to dinner, saying he hoped to return soon. But until soon arrived, Henry was still here. And that made her happy.
So, so happy.
A door shut somewhere off in the distance, and she glanced in the direction of the barn, which had the only other doors besides the house and chicken coop. It was dark, so she squinted to get a better view.
Henry walked to the house with Ruff tagging along at his side. His stride exuded confidence and strength, and it was all she could do not to sigh.
Oh, she had it bad, but she couldn’t help herself.
Each time Elisabeth saw Henry, his pull was stronger. She wanted to fight the temptation to be drawn in. That was what she should be doing.
But not tonight.
Tonight, she wanted the magic of today to continue. Just this once, she wanted to forget her responsibilities and fears.
Elisabeth combed her fingers through her hair in a silly nervous habit, but she didn’t care.
Henry had made her feel carefree and young today.
Two ways she never thought she’d ever feel again.
He’d gone to so much trouble for her, and she would never forget his thoughtfulness. She ran her palm along the swing.
“Having fun?” Henry asked.
“Yes.”
She kicked her feet out in front of her the way she had when she was a little girl.
As a child, she’d believed in knights in shining armor, the same way her sisters did now.
But she’d had to grow up fast and let go of girlish fantasies.
After Toby had proved he wasn’t Prince Charming, she stopped believing in happy endings altogether.
Maybe that had been the wrong thing to do. Maybe those things existed. Maybe Henry… “I know you had dibs on the swing tonight, but I’m hoping you won’t mind sharing.”
A muscle twitched in his neck. He didn’t move.
With an encouraging smile, she patted the space next to her. “There’s plenty of room for both of us.”
Henry obliged, leaving space between them. As she glanced at the bench where they sat, the pit of her stomach tingled. She fought the urge to inch closer to him. Did she dare?
Elisabeth couldn’t deny attraction had been building between her and Henry since he arrived, but since it had nowhere to go, she figured she couldn’t be hurt by it.
“Where are the kids?” he asked.
“In bed,” she said. “You and Gabe wore them out working on this beautiful porch.”
“I’m happy you like it.”
“I love it.” She sighed, feeling happier than she had in so long. “Today has been such a great day.”
“I hope it’s the first of many.”
“I don’t think that’s possible.”
He stared at her, and more tingles formed in her stomach. “Anything is possible.”
“I hope so,” she said wistfully. If he stayed…
“I know so.”
She didn’t know what he meant by that, and she was afraid to ask in case his answer spoiled the mood.
Silence surrounded them. She waited for it to become uncomfortable, but that didn’t happen. The quiet seemed natural, welcoming, and soothing.
Henry shifted on the swing. “The only thing missing is music.”
“And dancing.”
He nodded.
“You know, a little music would be a nice way to end the night.” She bit her lip. “Would you please sing that song you always sing in the shower?”
He drew his brows together. “I didn’t know you could hear me.”
“Only sometimes.” She liked how he seemed a little embarrassed. She didn’t feel so vulnerable when he was, too. “The kids don’t like it when they can’t hear you.”
His smile reached all the way to his eyes, giving her the good kind of chills. “I’ll make sure I sing loud enough for my audience from now on.”
“That’ll make them happy.”
His gaze captured hers. “And you?”
A kiss would make her happier. “And me, too.”
A beat passed. Then another. A guarded expression crossed his face, and his eyes darkened. Slowly, he rose and extended his arm. “May I have this dance?”
“Dance?”
He motioned to the yard. “Underneath the stars.”
So romantic. Her pulse sped up. She wanted this, but a part of her was worried about letting herself get too carried away. Henry would be leaving, logic reminded.
But he was here now, her heart countered.
“What about music?” she asked.
“You asked me to sing.” He bowed. “Your wish is my command.”
Excitement rippled through her, washing away her reluctance. It was only a dance, and she’d wished to let go of real life one night. Elisabeth took hold of Henry’s hand.
He led her down the porch stairs to the front yard and placed his other hand on her waist. As he sang “What a Wonderful World,” they danced. He wasn’t Louis Armstrong, but Henry’s voice sent shivery tingles down her spine that joined the ones already in her stomach.
Believing the words he sang wasn’t hard to do. Everything seemed wonderful tonight. The stars, the moonlight, Henry. This was the stuff dreams were made of. How could she ever thank him?
A kiss?
Too bad the kiss she had in mind wouldn’t be one of gratitude. She looked away from his lips.
He finished the song but didn’t release her. They continued to dance, even though their only music was the chirping of crickets. The tenderness of his gaze made her knees wobble. She was glad he held her, or she might have stumbled.
But if she fell, she had the feeling Henry would catch her. That filled her with optimism. She wanted to take the chance and open herself up to the possibilities.
Maybe he was different. Maybe, despite his words, he would want them all. Maybe when Manny returned, Henry wouldn’t want to leave.
He stopped dancing and released her.
“Thank you.” Her voice sounded husky, and she cleared her throat. “Today— This— It’s all been…wonderful.”
He caressed her cheek with his calloused fingers. “You’re the one who is wonderful.”
She waited for him to kiss her. A kiss was what she wanted.
What she needed.
Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure he could hear it.
From the corner of her eye, she glimpsed a falling star shooting across the sky like a firework.
I wish Henry would stay.
She hadn’t had time to think before the wish had popped into her mind.
Why hadn’t she wished for a kiss? A wish that had a chance of coming true? Elisabeth sucked in a breath.
“It’s late.” Henry took a step back. The distance seemed larger than the space separating them. “You have church in the morning.”
That was still hours away. But she could see in the depths of his eyes she wouldn’t get the kiss she wanted so badly.
Something had changed. The real world had crept back in. He’d felt it, and so had she.
This wasn’t some enchanted evening. Henry wasn’t a knight who would remain by her side forever. Dreams didn’t come true. That was the truth she’d forgotten tonight. Well, not forgotten, but she pretended it wasn’t the case.
Disappointment ricocheted through her, but her shoulders didn’t sag. She stood tall with her chin raised.
At least she’d tasted a little magic today and tonight. That was more than she’d had in the past four years. Better than nothing, right?
She glanced at Henry.
Wasn’t it?