she’d never have an answer for.
Jake ushered her around the car, checking for oncoming traffic before escorting her across the street.
“How long ago did you say it was built?” His gaze roamed over the sandstone colonial style building with its green and cream trim, the colors clean and sharp in the bright sunshine.
“1817.”
Nicolette glanced at her surroundings.
“Do you want to sit outside or inside?”
Always the gentleman, looking after his lady. Jake’s thoughtfulness made her feel warm, special, protected. Was he like this with all his women? She couldn’t help the tiny smile that played around her mouth though she didn’t want him to think he amused her. And since when did she consider herself one of his women? Heavens, entertaining that thought would get her into serious trouble.
She couldn’t help but wonder if colonial ladies kept company with handsome rascals of their times...the equivalent of bad boys like Jake. “Let’s eat out. It’s such a lovely afternoon.”
“Fine by me.”
A few bikers sat at the wooden picnic benches nestled beneath the tall palms. A rock wall defined the boundary of the eating area, separating it from the footpath.
Nicolette took a seat. “Look at those lion heads on the brick pillars. I wonder how old they are.”
“Quite old, most probably. There’s a lot more to Wiseman’s Ferry than I’d imagined. Who would have thought a place like this would boast a bowling club and a golf club.”
Nicolette smiled. “It’s quite a popular getaway spot on the weekends.”
“I can see why. Are you ready to order? I could eat a horse and chase the rider.”
Nicolette laughed. “Yes, let’s order. I’m starved too.”
* * *
Nicolette pushed her plate away. “That was so good.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” Jake watched her as he pushed his own plate toward the center of the table.
“Do you want dessert?”
She shook her head. “You have some if you want. I’ve already got an excess kilo or two to work off, so no dessert for me, thanks.”
Instantly Jake thought of that fluorescent pink bikini, the way it barely covered her. His blood began to heat, and not from the warmth of the day.
“You look great in that pink bikini. You don’t need to lose anymore weight.”
Her honey-gold gaze washed over him. His heart warmed even more with her smile.
“That’s very kind of you to say so, but if I’m to resume my dancing career quite soon, I have to keep in shape.”
Now wasn’t that typical of a woman...impossible to convince her body was perfect the way it was.
“So, you’re still dancing?”
“Yes, though I did have a break for a while.” She hesitated as if unsure about something. Then she went on. “A dancer friend told me about a new production he’s putting together early next year. I’d very much like to be part of that.”
She graced him with one of her brightest smiles, her eyes alight with hopes for resuming her career. “Now that Mark’s gone, dancing is my life. There’s nothing else I want to do.”
* * *
Nicolette didn’t tell Jake how apprehensive she was about going back on stage, facing an audience, being in the public eye again. She’d barely mixed with anyone since before Mark’s death. Only recently she’d begun to realize what a reclusive existence she’d lived these past few months. She hoped and prayed her former level of confidence would surface when she needed it most.
Mark might have given up his career for her, but she’d also given up part of herself for him. The marriage, or more Mark’s depressive illness, had taken a heavy toll on both of them.
She watched Jake sip his coffee. Would he have gone to pieces if he’d found himself in Mark’s situation?
Hardly likely. Jake was nothing like Mark. He would never have got himself in such a predicament in the first place. A timely reminder not to fall for his considerable and ever-present charm.
“Tell me about yourself, Jake,”
Jake ushered her around the car, checking for oncoming traffic before escorting her across the street.
“How long ago did you say it was built?” His gaze roamed over the sandstone colonial style building with its green and cream trim, the colors clean and sharp in the bright sunshine.
“1817.”
Nicolette glanced at her surroundings.
“Do you want to sit outside or inside?”
Always the gentleman, looking after his lady. Jake’s thoughtfulness made her feel warm, special, protected. Was he like this with all his women? She couldn’t help the tiny smile that played around her mouth though she didn’t want him to think he amused her. And since when did she consider herself one of his women? Heavens, entertaining that thought would get her into serious trouble.
She couldn’t help but wonder if colonial ladies kept company with handsome rascals of their times...the equivalent of bad boys like Jake. “Let’s eat out. It’s such a lovely afternoon.”
“Fine by me.”
A few bikers sat at the wooden picnic benches nestled beneath the tall palms. A rock wall defined the boundary of the eating area, separating it from the footpath.
Nicolette took a seat. “Look at those lion heads on the brick pillars. I wonder how old they are.”
“Quite old, most probably. There’s a lot more to Wiseman’s Ferry than I’d imagined. Who would have thought a place like this would boast a bowling club and a golf club.”
Nicolette smiled. “It’s quite a popular getaway spot on the weekends.”
“I can see why. Are you ready to order? I could eat a horse and chase the rider.”
Nicolette laughed. “Yes, let’s order. I’m starved too.”
* * *
Nicolette pushed her plate away. “That was so good.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” Jake watched her as he pushed his own plate toward the center of the table.
“Do you want dessert?”
She shook her head. “You have some if you want. I’ve already got an excess kilo or two to work off, so no dessert for me, thanks.”
Instantly Jake thought of that fluorescent pink bikini, the way it barely covered her. His blood began to heat, and not from the warmth of the day.
“You look great in that pink bikini. You don’t need to lose anymore weight.”
Her honey-gold gaze washed over him. His heart warmed even more with her smile.
“That’s very kind of you to say so, but if I’m to resume my dancing career quite soon, I have to keep in shape.”
Now wasn’t that typical of a woman...impossible to convince her body was perfect the way it was.
“So, you’re still dancing?”
“Yes, though I did have a break for a while.” She hesitated as if unsure about something. Then she went on. “A dancer friend told me about a new production he’s putting together early next year. I’d very much like to be part of that.”
She graced him with one of her brightest smiles, her eyes alight with hopes for resuming her career. “Now that Mark’s gone, dancing is my life. There’s nothing else I want to do.”
* * *
Nicolette didn’t tell Jake how apprehensive she was about going back on stage, facing an audience, being in the public eye again. She’d barely mixed with anyone since before Mark’s death. Only recently she’d begun to realize what a reclusive existence she’d lived these past few months. She hoped and prayed her former level of confidence would surface when she needed it most.
Mark might have given up his career for her, but she’d also given up part of herself for him. The marriage, or more Mark’s depressive illness, had taken a heavy toll on both of them.
She watched Jake sip his coffee. Would he have gone to pieces if he’d found himself in Mark’s situation?
Hardly likely. Jake was nothing like Mark. He would never have got himself in such a predicament in the first place. A timely reminder not to fall for his considerable and ever-present charm.
“Tell me about yourself, Jake,”
Similar Books
