Chapter 42
Under the golden glow of the porch light, I watch Jake’s smile unfurl in that deliciously languid way I enjoy so much.
He’s traded his soft flannel for a crisper, off-white button down, his denim for classic brown corduroys.
And he’s leaning back against the post with his hands in his pockets and spades of effortless charm wafting over him.
“You’re gorgeous, Luce,” he tells me as I stand in the doorway, tugging a coat over my own attempt at a date night outfit. Specifically, a tasteful little black dress borrowed from Claire’s closet.
I understand if this is too much to ask, Jake had said when he called me up and asked me to go on a real date. No secondary motives to get to know the town, no trips outside of Ellicottville limits.
Instead, an intimate, candlelit dinner, right here in the heart of it all. Surrounded by people that would run him out of town if they learned his identity.
I still agreed immediately.
“Although,” he starts, pushing off the post and crossing the porch to reach me. He reaches out, cupping my jaw and running his thumb below my ear. “You’re gorgeous in your overalls and covered in paint too.”
A sigh catches in my throat until he pulls his hand back and holds his thumb up to reveal a chip of dried paint. The moment I see Liquitex Raw Sienna, a laugh bubbles out of me. “I’m clearly no good at this date thing.”
“I beg to differ.”
My smile reaches the corner of my heart that was worried about this as he takes another step closer.
His hand settles on my hip, and his eyes soften as they search my face.
When he speaks again, his voice has taken a serious edge.
“And you’re sure about this still? I don’t want to make things hard for you. ”
Swaying into him, I smooth my hand over his stubble-covered jaw. “Yes.” I nod. “I’m sure.”
Dina’s is easily the most romantic restaurant in town. With low lighting, rich leather on booths you can sink into, and the most impressive wine list I’ve ever seen, it has an unmatched ambiance. Not to mention the menu.
“Lucy, hi,” the hostess, Meg, greets me with a warm smile and eyes that roam over Jake. “I’m surprised to see you without Claire.”
She certainly doesn’t seem upset to be ogling the man beside me instead. I don’t like it one bit.
“Let’s hope I’m just as good of company,” Jake cuts in smoothly. His arm slips naturally around my waist, and any annoyance I feel at the look Meg was giving him melts away.
“Better,” I assure him.
With a tinge of disappointment in her eyes, our hostess leads us to a booth in the back corner. It’s a stroke of luck, being granted this privacy. The unease in my gut settles a fraction as we sit.
Maybe I was a little harsh about Meg.
“How often do you and Claire come here?” Jake asks as we slide in across from one another. He leans forward, his elbows resting on the table and his attention earnest.
I shrug. “Special occasions, good or bad. From birthdays to breakups, Dina’s has kind of been our soft place to land as long as I can remember.”
“Mm, Taylor and I had a place like that back in the city,” he hums in understanding.
“Maybe you two can find one here.”
“Actually”—his eyebrow quirks—“she left today.”
“Left? As in back to the city?”
He nods. “Packed her bags, took the keys to my condo in Manhattan, and hit the road.”
“That’s… sudden. I’m sorry.” I reach for his hand, and he eagerly offers it up. Our fingers tangle in the center of the table, his thumb stroking my palm.
“It was sudden, but that’s Taylor. I’m actually pretty happy for her—taking this step for herself.” With a small smile, he adds, “And you’re what inspired her.”
“Me?” My lips purse as I think about the way he welcomed her into every corner of his life without hesitation. They way she spoke so genuinely about his unwavering support. And here he is, with that handsome twinkle in his eye as he attributes it to me.
“You, Lucy. You inspire me too.”
Jake lifts my hand, leaning forward and skimming a soft kiss across the tops of my fingers. The gentle gesture sends a flutter through my chest.
I’m certain he is the one creating the spark in me. From my return to painting, to a very different kind of feeling. One that surged with surprising strength when he was absent—out of town for only a single night.
And maybe it’s fast for such notions. Maybe only a couple short months shouldn’t inspire these thoughts. But maybe some things are bigger than logic. Dare I say, things like fate, and chance, and serendipity.
I’m tempted to tell him that he was right after all, that I’m starting to believe in it all too. But I’m saved by the appearance of our server.
“Have you had a chance to look at our menu?” he asks, his eyes dropping to where they sit closed before us.
“I’m guessing you don’t even need to use the menu?” Jake looks at me with a grin.
“I don’t.” My mouth waters at the thought of Tuscan chicken pasta.
He releases my hand to open the leather menu cover. “What do you recommend?”
“Might I make a recommendation, Mr. Carpenter?”
My body tenses at the deep, booming voice announcing Jake’s name. Looking up, I find Trustee Garrison standing beside our server.
“I’ll give you a moment,” he mumbles, tucking his order pad in his waist apron and slipping away.
Garrison leans his elbow on the top of my booth, turned towards Jake. “I won’t take up too much of your time. But I saw you come in and that happens to save me a call tomorrow morning.”
There’s only one reason the village trustees would be calling him, I suspect. They’ve made a decision on the property. My shoulders slump as reality forces its way into our date night.
“How can I help you?” Jake asks, appearing significantly calmer than I’m feeling.
“There have been some developments related to the Monroe Street property. We’re holding a board meeting in two days.”
“Two days?” I echo. This could all be ruined in just two days’ time?
Beneath the table, Jake’s knee finds mine and presses against me reassuringly. “Yes, ma’am,” Garrison replies. Then looking to my date again, he adds, “Six o’clock sharp. Can we expect you to be present?”
“Yeah”—he nods—“I’ll be there.”
“Good, then I’ll let you get back to it.” The trustee flashes me a smile and pats the top of the booth. “Oh, and as for that recommendation, get the lobster ravioli. It won’t disappoint.”
As if on cue, our server returns and takes down our orders.
Jake waits for me to confirm that the lobster ravioli is in fact worth trying then proceeds to add an appetizer and bottle of wine.
He still seems perfectly relaxed, like that little issue we set to the side hasn’t pushed its way back to front and center.
The moment we’re alone again, I ask, “What does this mean?” The question falls from my lips abruptly, with zero grace. The words tumbling out like they can’t wait another second.
He sighs, reaching for my hand once again. “I don’t know yet. But I want to make this okay. You’ve become so important to me. More than you know.”
“You’ve become important to me too,” I whisper.
There’s a glint in his brown eyes as they assess me. “Then let’s enjoy our date, maybe take a little something back to Charlie and Bear, and trust me that no matter what they say in that meeting, it will be okay.”
“It will be?”
“Lucy, I figured out a while ago that hurting this town would mean hurting you. And I have no intention of hurting you.”
My heart buoys with hope. “You never did want to be the bad guy in my story.”
“I want to be the one that makes you believe.”
“In serendipity?” I tease.
“Or something like that,” he recalls with a grin.
I’m tempted to tell him that he’s already done just that. But in truth, this story isn’t over yet.