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the beds that bordered the patio. The flowers were pretty, but mostly he saw a lot of plants that needed watering.
    Samantha sat down and he sat next to her, setting the glider in motion. It settled into an easy rocking and she watched as butterflies hovered over a red flower. He waited. For some reason it felt as if he’d been waiting a lifetime for this moment.
    Next to him she leaned back and looked up at the dusky, pink presunset sky. “It was nothing really. I just wish life could be a little easier.”
    â€œDon’t we all? Sometimes it helps to talk to a friend.”
    â€œIs that what we are? Friends?”
    He decided this was one of those trick questions where there wasn’t any good way to respond.
    â€œI think we’re definitely friends. Or we could be.”
    She laughed just a little. “Good answer, Pastor Jenkins.”
    â€œAh, Pastor Jenkins. And that bothers you?” He waited, wanting her to say that it didn’t bother her.
    â€œNo. I don’t know. Maybe. I’m not sure which box to put you in.”
    â€œI’m a rancher, an agriculture specialist and a man of God.”
    â€œA man of many boxes.”
    â€œA woman with a lot on her mind,” he countered.
    â€œNot so much,” she replied as she pushed her feet on the ground and set the glider back in motion. “I just have a lot of questions. I’m not sure how I fit here. I’m not at all sure what we’re doing, sitting here together. Nothing is the same. Including us.”
    She had a very valid point. “No, I guess we’re not the same,” he agreed.
    They were different people on different sides of the faith issue. They still had a huge chasm between them, their past.
    He glanced at his watch. “I should go.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” she said. Her hand touched his arm, just a brief connection, and then she stood.
    â€œIt’s okay.” He reached for her hand and she walked with him to the truck. “I’m here if you ever decide you need someone.”
    He reached out, brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, then he couldn’t seem to move away. Her breath caught and he leaned in, thinking about how good it would feel to pull her close and kiss her the way he used to. But he didn’t.
    He dropped his hand and backed away.
    â€œDefinitely time for me to go,” he said.
    â€œYes, definitely.”
    He came close to making a clean getaway, but as he reached for the door, another truck came up the drive.
    â€œIt’s Jake,” Samantha said. As if he didn’t recognize that big truck and the man behind the wheel.
    â€œWhen I woke up this morning, I never thought it would be my last day on earth,” he half joked.
    She laughed, a sweet sound that made him almost glad to be caught by Jake Martin. “I won’t let him hurt you.”
    â€œI’m holding you to that.”
    Jake’s truck stopped and he got out. His gaze settled on the two of them. Remington couldn’t help but feel as if he was in some kind of déjà vu.
    â€œRemington,” Jake said as he walked up to them. “Guess I’m not surprised to see you here.”
    â€œI followed Sam home. The battery in her truck is bad.”
    â€œWe’ll get that checked tomorrow. Thanks for helping her.”
    â€œThat’s my cue to leave,” he said. Man, the Martin ego didn’t fade with time.
    â€œI’m not telling you to leave,” Jake said without a hint of a smile.
    â€œRight. But I’ve got to go anyway. My family is waiting for me at Duke’s.” He ignored Jake and let his gaze settle on Sam. “If you need anything...”
    â€œThank you,” she said with a look that reached deep down, to feelings he thought he’d left behind.
    It was all in the past, he told himself. But standing there next to her loosened something inside him, made him wish she was part of his present.

Chapter Six
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