Joanna came around the corner to see us both howling. Her soft smile at seeing us
behaving like idiots was positively adorable. “Hey, sweetie,” I said softly, holding out my
hand to her.
Her eyes were huge as she stepped closer. She took my hand, and I pulled her into my lap,
tucking her against my shoulder.
“Pretty as a picture, you two,” Miriam smiled. She stood up, giving us a wave as she
sauntered away, around the corner of the porch.
“So, I guess we don’t have to hide anymore?” Joanna asked softly.
“No. But I need to ask you something important.”
“Okay.” Her arm slipped around my shoulder as she snuggled closer.
“Joanna, if you came to live in the country, is there anything you would miss about city life?”
To my great relief, she nodded thoughtfully, but her eyes were smiling. “I thought about this
a lot over the past few days,” she said. “Although I want to be a writer, I’m still figuring that out. But I could be a waitress anywhere. I just like keeping busy, and sending people off to
have a good day, fueled with good food.”
Kissing her softly, I murmured, “You’re so damn sweet, baby. But seriously, what would you miss?”
“My friends,” she said. “We have girl drinks every Thursday evening. If I could take the train in once a month or more to see them, that would help me still feel connected. You know?”
My hand slid up her shirt to caress her back. “I usually do the drive taking deliveries to the city on Thursdays,” I said. “Miriam scheduled Chuck to do it tomorrow, likely so that you
and I could spend more time together.”
Her excited grin made my hands tighten around her. “So I could ride with you, help you, visit
my friends, then come back to… Wherever we live?”
I nodded, and she seemed confused at my huge exhale of relief. “Baby, I was so scared
that there were a ton of things you were attached to, and the thought of taking you away
from your life made me feel sick. But if the only thing that you really need from the city is to see your friends every week, I will get you there every damn Thursday.”
Her palm stroked my stubble as she grinned. “When the weather is bad, I can just call
them. Or if it’s really busy here and you need your sleep. Honestly, twice a month would be
plenty.”
“How did you turn out so mellow and agreeable?” I chuckled.
She leaned in to press her lips to mine for a second before whispering, “I think I was a
country girl at heart the whole time, I just didn’t know that yet.”
“So, how do you feel about being my girl?” I asked seriously.