Chapter 7
1333 Words
Everly: I can’t wait to see you too! I’m excited for tonight.
Relief flowed through my body. It had taken much longer than I thought but she replied.
In all my years I never thought I would feel this way for anybody. Then again, I didn’t think I would ever find my flame.
***Everly***
This man was so sweet. Was it too soon for me to think about another man? My husband had only passed away 6 months ago. Not to mention this man could not be interested in me. He was just being polite because I was offering them food.
I knew I was a beautiful woman. It took me 25 years to finally realize my beauty, but even now it is still weird. However, now I am no longer a size 6 with curves. I might still look younger than my age, but it had been a long time since I felt beautiful or wanted. My husband wasn’t one to give many compliments and after years of being together, we got comfortable.
Dustin, on the other hand, looked like he worked out 4 times a day and he was beyond sexy.
Dinner had been cooking since the early hours in the smoker and I just hoped he enjoyed pulled pork.
As soon as I was done with work, I quickly took a shower and spent so much time trying to pick out the right outfit.
“Relax mom. You look great.” Kennedy said, dropping onto my bed.
“Oh I know I just…”
“You like him?”
“Who?”
“ OK Mom, you can play this game. Do you like Dustin?”
“He is a very nice man.”
“And sexy.”
“KENNEDY!”
She started giggling.
“Well he is and I know you think the same.” She said, finally calming down enough to talk again.
“Do you think it’s too soon?” I said, sitting next to her on the bed.
“Only you can know if it’s too soon.”
“He also lives in another state and let’s be honest, long-distance relationships don’t work.” I said, sounding deflated.
“You can still enjoy his company while he is here.”
“What about you? It seems Gavin is very interested in you.”
“I like him. Which is weird because you know I don’t pay much attention to guys. I don’t want to be distracted from school. I have plans.”
“I know baby.” I said, pulling her into a hug.
“And he will be living with Dustin for the next year. My first boyfriend will not live in another state. Nope!”
Kennedy’s phone pinged.
“It’s Gavin they are going to be here in less than a minute.”
We made our way to the kitchen and, sure enough, before I could blink, there was a knock at the door.
Dustin stood in front of me wearing a simple pair of jeans that were made for him and a white t-shirt that stretched across his muscles.
“You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” I replied just above a whisper.
**Dustin
I watched as her face turned red. I wasn’t sure if it was compliments in general or my compliment from that made her face turn red, but I loved it. Compliments are just something she will be getting for the rest of our lives.
Evan cleared his throat and smiled over at Everly.
“Everly, this is Evan, my partner.”
“And his best friend. He likes to leave that out.” Evan said, taking her hand and kissing it, causing me to let out a low growl.
We sat down for dinner with pulled pork sandwiches, hush puppies, coleslaw, and potato salad. All homemade. This woman could cook and I knew I was going to have to run twice as much.
Dinner was much smoother this time. Evan and Brayden started talking about sport and then movies. You would think they were best friends.
“Yeah I’m pretty good at basketball.” Evan bragged, sounding cocky.
“ OK old man. Let’s play.” Brayden smirked, standing up.
“Oh, game on.” Evan said, following him outside.
“Evan needs the exercise.” I said, laughing.
“Is he good?” Kennedy asked.
“Evan is really, really good. Brayden doesn’t know what he got himself into.”
“Mom..Gavin will help me clean up dinner. Why don’t you and Dustin take a walk?”
Everly smiled and nodded at Kennedy before looking at me.
“Ready?” She asked me and her voice was so sweet.
“Lead the way.”
We started towards a gate at the corner of her yard. Once though the fenced in backyard, we were in a huge field. There was a track for running set up along the perimeter.
“The field to our right is vacant land. The owners have owned it for 30 years and they don’t even live in Ohio.”
“I’m surprised there aren’t more trees.”
“When we bought this house it was farm land. So it’s getting there.”
We walked toward a pond with a bench on the east side. We made our way to the bench and sat together.
“Its beautiful here.” I said, wanting to pull her into my arms.
“It is, but it’s a lot of work and I honestly don’t know if I can continue to keep up with it. Brayden and Kennedy are helpful, but it’s just a lot.”
“How far do you go back?”
“10 acres are in the woods.”
“Wow. Do you run the track?”
“I do, but not as much as I used to. Maintaining the yard and the small amount of livestock and work takes most of my time.”
I wanted so badly to take her and make her mine now. She didn't need to maintain this area and, if she wanted it, I could pay somebody to do it for us. I wanted to but I knew I needed to take my time with her. She wasn’t a Kappi like me.
“I love running.”
“You can run here anytime you want. I mean before you go home.” She said, the last part sounding a little sad.
“Oh, I like running in the woods. Sounds silly, right?”
“No, I used to love running in these woods, but my husband thought it was too dangerous so he made me the track.”
“Really?”
“He was….a little paranoid about everything.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be that was just a part of him. But you can come and run in the woods anytime.”
“I might, but it would be early and I would hate to be a bother.”
“You wouldn’t be. If it’s too early, you are on your own, but depending on the time, I might be able to make you breakfast.”
“Then I might have to make it so I can get some of your cooking.”
As we sat together making small talk, I couldn’t help myself and reached over and took her hand. Lacing my fingers between hers. When she smiled and didn’t pull her hand away, I let out the breath I had been holding.
Her not pulling away was a good sign. Not being able to stop myself when I looked at her, I leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
Pulling away hoping I had not scared her. Only to find her face flushed and a slight smile on her lips.
“We should probably head back.” She said, barely above a whisper.
“ OK.” I said, feeling a little disappointed, but took her hand as we walked back to her house.
- Writer
