Jane's Gift (Lone Pine Lake 1)

He looked good, extra good tonight for some reason. Noticing the touch of curl in his hair, the urge to run her fingers through it was so strong she clutched her hands in her lap.

Dressed in his uniform, he wore a long-sleeved, snowy white thermal shirt beneath, and it clung to his muscular arms in a tantalizing way. A way that made her want to smooth her hands up his arms and feel every bunch and sinew flex beneath her fingertips.

Oh yes, she had it bad. She needed to compose herself.

“No hassles; we got right in.” Jane nodded in Mindy’s direction and Chris glanced her way. “This is my sister, Mindy.”

“We’ve met,” Mindy said, shooting him a big smile. “Nice seeing you again.”

“Where’s your husband tonight, Mindy?”

Mindy’s eyes dimmed, her entire expression growing dark. “Working. Hey, I’ll get plates for the kids, get them settled. I’ll bring Sophia with me. We’ll be back in a few.”

“Oh, Mindy, let me help you,” Jane started, but her sister shook her head as she stood, Sophia clutching her hand.

“Stay here and relax. I’ll take care of them tonight. You have fun.”

Jane watched her sister walk away, a hint of panic making her heart race. She was alone with Chris, no children to distract her, just the two of them, looking at each other.

Well, just the two of them surrounded by approximately seventy-five local residents, but who was counting?

“You haven’t eaten yet?”

She shook her head and rested her hands on the table, making sure to cover her left with her right. “We just got here a few minutes ago.”

“Ah, I didn’t see you walk in. I’ve been busy. Water maintenance.” He lifted the pitcher. “I’m still on duty but wanted to stop by and talk to you.”

“Do you work all night?” It would be almost safer if he did have to work instead of sit with her and make small talk. Or pretend that they were on some sort of actual date.

Because this definitely did not count as a date.

“I’m finished in about a half hour. I helped set up, I’ve been here since four, and I’m beat. Plus, I’m starving.” He smiled and scooted his chair closer to hers. “You look pretty tonight, Jane.”

A thrill moved through her at his words, the way he said her name. She’d taken extra care with her appearance that night, wanting to impress despite her doubts, and it appeared her effort hadn’t been in vain. “Thank you.”

She clutched her hands atop the table, wringing her fingers together, and his gaze lingered there. “You have the smallest hands.”

Ah, just what she hadn’t wanted to do—draw attention to her hands. But she may as well face reality. If she was going to spend any more time with him, then she needed to discuss what had happened to her. “I used to sew a lot. Before the accident.”

“You did?”

She nodded, suddenly feeling stupid for even bringing it up. He was a guy. He wouldn’t care about her old sewing hobby. “I even had a small business for a while. I made aprons and sold them.”

He chuckled, though not as if he were laughing at her. More like she’d surprised him with her revelation. “Really? Women still wear aprons? I mean, no offense, but it seems kind of old-fashioned. Something my grandma might’ve done. I’m sure she still does, actually.”

“See, that’s the thing. Our mothers came from the era of independent women going out into the workforce. For the most part, they looked down on those who stayed at home. But nowadays, women actually want to stay home with their kids, take care of their home and family. At least, most of the women in my old neighborhood did.”

The majority of her friends back in San Jose had been stay-at-home moms, perfectly satisfied with taking care of their families. Thankful they didn’t have to be out in the rat race with everyone else. She’d been so grateful at first, able to be with the kids while Stephen worked. But she’d lost herself a little bit. No identity beyond being a mom and wife, with no larger purpose in life.

“And so you made aprons for them?”

“I did.” She laughed and shook her head. “It sounds silly, but I found these vintage fabrics and embellishments and made the cutest aprons. Fashionable, not the ugly types you find in department stores or Walmart or wherever. And now I’ll stop talking because I’m just rambling.”

“No, you’re not.” He smiled, a sexy curve of lips that revealed straight, white teeth. Well, maybe not so straight. One top front tooth slightly overlapped the other, and she felt almost relieved to see that small flaw. Maybe he wasn’t as perfect as she thought. “Sounds like you were pretty passionate about it.”

She was quiet, absorbing what he said. She wouldn’t normally choose passionate as a word to describe herself. She didn’t actually think anyone she knew would use that word in association with her.

“I mean, you’re passionate about your kids. I saw that immediately.” He settled his hand next to hers and she watched, breathless, as he reached over and grabbed her hand. Her scarred left hand, the one she always hid. “But it’s nice to see you view yourself as not just a mother.”