The Nurse's One Night to Forever

“Admit it,” he said.

Taking another bite of her sandwich, she glanced toward him in question and purposely avoided looking at Daisy, who was expectantly waiting for a bite.

“You’re glad you came,” he clarified.

Chewing the bite she’d taken, she nodded. “Beats working in my yard any day of the week.”

Even if her yard work wouldn’t have left her wanting to wrap her arms around Justin’s neck, to run her fingers through the damp hair at his nape and feel his lips against hers.

“What kind of yard work? I could help you,” he offered.

Face warm, Riley avoided looking toward him. “Just cleaning up my landscaping, putting down some fresh mulch...that kind of thing. Why would you want to help with that?”

“You’ve helped me today,” he reminded.

“This...” she waved her hand toward where the kids were sitting near the river, eating their lunches, with the two other adults sitting close, chatting about how great the weather was “...doesn’t fall into the same category as yard work.”

“Agreed, this is awesome, but I’d be glad to help you—especially since I’ve kept you from getting it done today.”

She shook her head. “There’s no rush. I’m just sprucing things up and doing some weeding and trimming.”

“I could come later—or even tomorrow. With both of us working you’d get finished a lot quicker.”

She eyed him from behind her sunglasses. “Did you just invite yourself to my house?”

He grinned a bit sheepishly. “Consider it more an offer of free labor.”

Justin at her house. Doing her yard work. How could she explain that she didn’t want him there for fear that she’d invite him inside?

“I wouldn’t feel right, having you over to work.”

“What are friends for?”

What, indeed? And was that what they were? Friends? Riley didn’t recall ever having any close male friends. Not even Johnny. She’d planned to marry him, so he should have been her friend, right? But she didn’t recall ever thinking he was her friend.

Which probably should have clued her in that she shouldn’t marry him.

Still, he’d been hardworking—or so she’d thought—handsome, and he had claimed to love her. She’d been reeling from her mother’s death and had been easy pickings for the suave salesman.

What was her excuse with Justin?

Johnny wasn’t fit to tie Justin’s shoes.

“Riley?”

She blinked at Justin, knowing her last thought was true. “Hmm?”

“Just making sure you’re okay. You got quiet.”

“Enjoying my lunch.”

Seeming to take her answer at face value, Justin stretched his legs out in front of the log. “It is nice, isn’t it?”

She nodded, took another bite, and refused to think of what the conclusions she was drawing about the man next to her meant.

Besides, lunch was nice—as were their beautiful surroundings. Off in the distance she could see Columbia’s skyline, and in the other direction lay the Congaree National Park. Gorgeous trees lined the river banks. The sky was a beautiful blue with the occasional dotting of a white puffy cloud. The sun was hot, but there was just enough of a breeze to make the day feel perfect.

The day was perfect.