“He said that if I quit eatin’ bacon, quit smokin’, and quit havin’ a shot of whiskey or a glass of wine when I want it, that I might live to be a hundred.”

“And what did you tell him?” Tawny asked.

“That if I did all that I’d be in hell and I’d always intended on spending eternity in heaven,” Zed joked, and then his expression went serious. “You girls don’t worry about me. You’ve got your own lives to live. Now let’s get out a half gallon of chocolate ice cream and celebrate.”

“What are we celebrating?” Brook asked.

“New friends, old times, and a sweet life,” he said.

The clouds had passed over the resort with only a few claps of thunder and raindrops but nothing major that afternoon. But now a strong wind was pushing another big bunch their way, stirring up the lake until the whitecaps looked like that frosting that Granny used to put on the tops of cupcakes. Tawny loved to watch her use the back of the spoon to make little peaks. They were so sticky that Tawny never did master eating one without getting it all over her fingers and face.

“Hey, it looks like it might brew something up out there. Those clouds look angry.” Nick stepped around the end of the cabin.

Her pulse jacked up about fifty percent, and her heart threw in an extra beat. “Never know. We got a pass earlier today, so we might have to pay for it tonight.”

“Mind if I sit?”

“Help yourself to all the porch that you want.” Tawny smiled.

“That’s pretty generous, giving me that much room.”

“I’m willin’ to share if I like you.”

If she liked him? Now that was the understatement of the year. He almost made her believe in love at first sight.

“If not?” He caught her gaze and held it.

She recognized flirting when she saw or heard it, and they were definitely sharing sparks. Why, oh, why couldn’t she have met him before now?

Because you had to go through some hard times so you’d grow up and appreciate a guy who works hard for a livin’ and don’t live on his daddy’s credit cards. Granny Annie’s voice filled her thoughts again.

“If not, then you don’t get to sit on my porch while a big storm rolls in,” she said.

“You ever been married?” he asked bluntly.

Wow, he got right to the point. But she kind of liked that. “I’m only twenty-two.”

“My sister was married at eighteen.”

“Why did you ask?”

“We talked for a long time the other night, and I didn’t have the courage to ask you if you were involved with someone right now.” He stopped and sucked in a lungful of air. “I’d like to ask you out, but I don’t mess with another man’s woman.”

“Never married. Got out of a relationship right before Christmas last year, so it’s been long enough. And yes, I would like to go out with you. I felt sparks, too.”

“Is that why you tried to throw pizza on me?” He chuckled.

“I did not!” she exclaimed.

“That’s the way I’m going to tell the story. So do you want to go for pizza on Sunday evening when you get off work?”

“I’d rather go for a big juicy steak.”

He nodded seriously. “I’ll cook for us, then, because there isn’t a restaurant in Texas that can top my steaks. Pick you up at eight?”

“I’ll be ready.” Her heart threw in another extra beat.

“Okay, then. I’ll call you later tonight, but right now I’d better get Johnny on home. He talks about Brook all the time.” He straightened up and turned to blow her a kiss before he headed over toward Dana’s place.

She caught it and wrapped it tightly in her hands. She could have sworn that it warmed her whole palm.

Harper was already in bed, air conditioner lowered to where her nose was actually cold to the touch. She was curled up under an extra blanket when someone rapped gently on her cabin door.

She bailed out of bed and sent up a silent prayer that it would be Wyatt on the other side of the door. Her prayers were answered.

She grabbed one of his arms, pulled him inside, slammed the door shut with her bare foot, and then cupped his cheeks in her hands. “I have missed you so much,” she said as she brought his lips to hers.

“I love you,” he said when the kiss ended.

Lightning streaked through the room, lighting it for an instant so that she could see his eyes. His eyes said that he wasn’t teasing, and the passion in the kiss that followed testified that he meant what he said.

“It dawned on me as I was helping the widow settle stuff that we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow or even the next minute. I don’t want to die without telling you that I love you. I did when we were kids and I still do now that we are adults. I want us to have a future together. I went to bed in my house and couldn’t sleep because I didn’t want to waste another minute without saying the words to your face.”

“I love you,” she said simply and led him to the bed. “Now please hold me. I’m freezing.”

“With pleasure.” He kicked off his shoes and started to undress.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Harper floated into work on Saturday morning. Wyatt was gone when she awoke, but he’d left a note on his pillow saying that he’d be back after his fishing trip up near Wylie that evening. Zed had already made coffee and was sitting at their favorite table back near the kitchen. And right there in the middle of the table was a big platter stacked high with fresh doughnuts.