Page 57 of The Payback Adventure
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 untilsoonarrived, 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.”
