Redemption(2)



“That’s my address, but I’m the only one here.” I probably shouldn’t have admitted no one else was home. Based on his size alone, he could easily overpower me, but his eyes, now that I could see the grassy-green staring back at me, said he was harmless. I stuck out my hand. “I’m Lissa Jackson. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Dan Hadley. I’m terribly sorry to have bothered you.” He turned to leave, but in a split-second, I didn’t want to see him go.

Friday night at seven o’clock and neither of us had anything to do. I clearly had no life since I was home grading papers, and Dan had been stood up. I didn’t have a clue what to say to get him to chat but my mouth erupted. “I’m new to the area and don’t know anyone. It’s hard meeting new people.” No clue where that came from or why I’d felt the need to release that truth.

He stopped just before stepping down. The way he regarded me, the tilt of his head, the gleam in his eyes…my heart swelled just slightly when he smiled in my direction.

“Since neither of us has plans, would you like to chat for a bit?” He didn’t wait for my response when he sat down on the top step of my porch.

It dawned on me I was in entirely too tiny pajama shorts, a tank top sans bra, and my ratty house shoes. My hair was piled high in a knot on top of my head, my glasses perched on my nose, and I didn’t have one speck of makeup on.

“You look fantastic. Sit with me and don’t worry about it.”

My head snapped over in his direction, my green eyes meeting his gaze. He’d seen my self-appraisal but hadn’t cared I wasn’t presentable. “Are you sure? I can go throw some clothes on.”

He patted the spot next to him on the step. I hesitated for just a moment before throwing caution to the wind and planting my bottom next to his. With my arms stretched out behind me, I extended my legs in front and crossed them at the ankles.

“You’re quite tall for a woman.”

“You’re quite tall for a man.”

His laugh was music that drifted into the air around us. “Yes, I am. Sorry. That was a dumb thing to say. Your legs just seem to go on for miles.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You should.”

The banter set me at ease almost immediately. “So, Dan. You want to confess how you ended up on my doorstep?”

“Sure, as soon as you let me in on how you ended up in Fountain Inn, South Carolina…alone.”

I refused to panic. This was a question I’d been asked more frequently than not, and I had an answer. It might not be the details of the messy past, but the truth just the same. “I moved here from Wimberley, Texas at the beginning of the semester to take a teaching job at Furman. The teacher I replaced left suddenly when his best friend was in a car accident. He’s from this area, maybe you know him. Dax Cooper?”

Dan shook his head.

“Anyway, I was between gigs, and the opportunity was perfect. I’d never lived this far east and thought why not? I didn’t have any roots in Texas, so nothing kept me from leaving. Honestly, I don’t think I would have ever gotten the job had I not been willing to move within a few days. None of their other candidates could relocate that quickly.”

“What do you teach?”

“Music.”

“Do you play?” He’d moved to face me, taking in my answers as though they held far more weight than they did.

A laugh played on my lips. I wouldn’t be much of a teacher if I didn’t. “Yes.”

“Piano? What?”

“Primarily, yes, and violin. But I can play most instruments in a band and orchestra.”

“Maybe I can talk you into playing for me sometime.”

“I doubt classical music would hold your interest long.” I swayed sideways as my nerves took over. As if my attire hadn’t already screamed raging nerd, telling a gorgeous man you’re a music teacher who plays the piano and violin certainly would.

“Professor Jackson. Has a nice ring. I wish my teachers had looked like you in college.”

“Doctor.”

“Excuse me?” He seemed confused by my clarification.

“Dr. Jackson. Ph.D.”

“No shit?” He immediately faltered. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cuss. It just slipped out. But seriously, a doctorate is impressive stuff.”

I wished I hadn’t said anything. I shrugged off the compliment unsure of what to do with it.

“So, your turn.”

“For what?” The quizzical grimace on his face was almost comical.

“To tell me how your night landed you at my address.”

He was embarrassed and hesitant to show his vulnerability.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me. It doesn’t matter.” I shifted uncomfortably on the step before drawing my feet up to stand. “I probably should get back inside anyhow.”

“I don’t mind telling you. It’s certainly not my brightest moment, but a deal’s a deal. My best friend, Brett—we’ve been friends since Jesus was a baby, went to college together, work together now. You get the picture. Anyway. His wife is amazing—for him. And I thought maybe I should try dating. I’m with the two of them all the time and being the third wheel gets old.”

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