Read Online Return of the Runaway Bride by Donna Fasano - Free Book Online

head as Jim nuzzled his wife's neck. She watched as Daniel also redirected his gaze. There seemed to be nowhere else for them to look but at each other.
    Heat rose to her cheeks. She couldn't fathom why a simple, completely natural kiss between Sheila and Jim would make her so uncomfortable, but she was certain that it had something to do with the fact that she and Daniel used to engage in the same affectionately expressive behavior.
    "Do you mind?"
    Daniel had stepped closer to her, and his question took her completely off guard. Did she mind what? she wondered. That Jim was kissing his wife? That Daniel used to do the same to her?
    Her blank expression must have explained her confusion for he added, "My having lunch with you and the Thompsons ."
    Her face flamed even hotter. "Of course not," she said, her voice clipped and unnatural.
    "Let's go find a nice shade tree," Jim said, taking the basket from Sheila.
    The men were several steps ahead of the women, and Sheila took the opportunity to quietly ask Savanna, "Do you mind if Daniel has lunch with us?"
    "Of course not." Again, Savanna heard the short, sharp words come out of her mouth. "Really," she added, hoping she'd softened her tone enough to hide the anxiety that roiled in the pit of her stomach.
    What was there to be nervous about? she silently chided herself. Sheila and Jim were with her. And Jimmy and Amanda would demand much of the focus. Really, there was nothing be anxious about. So why did she feel like a teenager with a bad case of first-date jitters?
     
    ~   ~   ~
     
    They walked across an open field to the picnic area, and Daniel took the children to the playground while Sheila, Jim and Savanna set out lunch. They spread the blanket on the grass beneath the leafy branches of a stately oak tree.
    Savanna straightened one corner of the blanket and her gaze was pulled to where Daniel played with Sheila's children. He swung Amanda high in the air and she squealed with glee. Then he chased Jimmy around the sliding board. And when it was Jimmy's turn to chase, Daniel slowed his pace until the little boy caught him.
    "Lunch!" Sheila called.
    Daniel lifted Amanda into his arms for one last flight into the air before he herded both children across the grassy expanse toward the picnic area. A tender smile curled the corners of Savanna's mouth when she saw him chase one wandering child, then the other.
    "He's very good with the kids," Savanna remarked to Sheila.
    "He is," Sheila said. Her smile quickly turned to a frown as Jimmy ran up behind his sister and pushed her hard.
    Amanda tumbled off her feet and her sharp cry sent all the adults rushing to help. Daniel picked her up, and by the time Jim, Sheila and Savanna reached them, he'd brushed the grass from Amanda's hands and knees.
    "Oh, baby," Sheila cooed as she took her daughter from Daniel. The toddler buried her face in the crook of her mother' s neck.
    "James Allen Thompson!" The stern voice of Jimmy's father made the boy's bottom lip quiver. "You are in serious trouble."
    "It was an accident, Dad," It was clear Jimmy didn't expect anyone to believe the blatant fib.
    "That was no accident," Sheila said.
    "But I didn't mean it."
    "Not one more word, young man," Jim interrupted his son. "You'll spend the afternoon in your bedroom for this."
    "Jim," Sheila said, "this bump on Amanda's head needs ice. We should probably go home."
    "Okay," he said. "My car's in the lot. I'll carry her." The still sobbing Amanda slid from one parent to the other.
    "I'll pick up the lunch things," Savanna offered, "and meet you in the parking lot."
    Jim shook his head. "You and Daniel stay and enjoy lunch. I hate to say it, but I don't have room for you in the car. The back seat is loaded boxes, and with the kids' car seats..." He left the rest of the sentence unspoken as he kissed Amanda's tear-streaked cheek. "Okay, honey," he crooned over her sobs. "We'll be home soon."
    Sheila shot Savanna an apologetic look.
    "It's okay,"