Midnight Kiss (Virgin River #12)(27)

“What?”

“Whether we’re going to make out like teenagers on the couch, the floor or the bed after we have breakfast.”

She threw her arms around him. “You should send me away! I’m full of contradictions and flaws! I’m as much to blame for that nightmare of a wedding day as Glen is!”

He grinned only briefly before covering her mouth in a fabulous, hot, wet, long kiss. And after that he said, “Look. The sun’s coming up on a new day. A new year. A new life. Let’s eat something and get started on the making out.”

“You’re not afraid to take a chance on me?” Sunny asked him.

“You know what I’m looking forward to the most? I can’t wait to see if we fall in love. And I like our chances. Scared?”

She shook her head. “Not at all.”

“Then come in here and let’s see if we can’t turn the worst day of your life into the best one.”

MIDNIGHT SURRENDER

Jean Brashear

For Ercel, whose midnight kisses still thrill me

CHAPTER ONE

Austin, Texas

“SPILL, GIRL. Who was last night’s victim?” Fiona Sinclair asked.

“What makes you think there was one?” Jordan Parrish responded to her best friend.

Fiona rolled her eyes. “Because you date like a guy, trolling the waters, snagging the juicy ones and playing with them till you’re bored, then throwing them back in. And when’s the last time you didn’t go out on a Friday night?”

“Fee…” Marly Preston, the third member of Girls’ Night, eased between them, a fresh wine bottle in hand. “Don’t badger Jordan. You’ll hurt her feelings. More wine?”

“Shark lawyers don’t have feelings, sweetie.” Fiona grinned at Jordan. Jordan stuck out her tongue in response. She and Fiona always played rough, and kindhearted Marly always worried.

“Anyway, how are we old married ladies supposed to live vicariously through her if she plays her cards close to the vest?” Fiona asked. “We depend on you, Jordan.”

“It’s her business,” Marly protested, “and she doesn’t have to share the details of her sex life…unless she wants to?” Her eyebrows rose at the end of the sentence, along with her voice.

Jordan couldn’t help laughing. Even after five kids, Earth Mother Marly still possessed an innocent air that life couldn’t seem to erase. The room around them reflected her nurturing tendencies: bright splashes of color, soft cushions she’d upholstered, candles made by hand, needlework and thriving plants everywhere.

“Nobody worth mentioning,” Jordan sighed. “I’m thinking of taking a break.”

Fiona snorted.

“You don’t think I will?”

“Seriously?” Fiona finished the last of her wine and held out the glass for Marly to refill. “No.”

“I know someone you need to meet,” Marly piped up. “There’s this amazing carpenter who works for David, Will Masterson. He’s—”

Jordan flashed her palm. “Stop right there. No matchmaking. You promised.” She rested her head on one fist. “If only real men were like the ones you write in your romance novels, Fee.”

“You’d never let them be the alpha male, shark girl.”

“Stop teasing her, Fee.” Marly turned to Jordan. “There are plenty of good men.”

“Yeah, right. When’s the last time you dated, Mrs. I-Married-My-High-School-Sweetheart?”

Marly refused to rise to the bait. “Yes, well, this guy Will’s special. You’ll meet him at Thanksgiving.”

“Oh, brother…” Jordan groaned. “If he’s so great, what’s he doing at your annual gathering of lost souls?”

“You’ll be there,” Fiona pointed out.

Jordan made a face at her, then returned her attention to Marly. “Look, I know you mean well. You and David are still so gooey in love, even after five kids, it’s sickening. You think everyone should be like you, but not everyone can pull off your miracle. You’re the one who’s special.”

“I’m only a housewife.”

“Are you kidding me? You run rings around both of us. I mean, look at you—you cook like a dream, raise five amazing children, you tend a huge garden, you sew, upholster furniture—look around you. This place is gorgeous, and you did all of it.”

“But my kids are growing up and won’t need me as much soon. You’re a successful lawyer who meets all kinds of fascinating people and parties every night. Fee has a family and a career.”

Fiona sat up straight, worry on her features. “Want to talk about it?”

Marly shook her head. “No, I’m fine. I’m just saying—”

The back door to the kitchen opened, spilling noise inside. Jordan glanced at her watch. David had taken the kids out for the evening, but it was now Sam’s bedtime. Time for them to go.

Sam streaked into the room and threw himself into his mother’s arms. Marly hugged him tightly, while over her little boy’s shoulder she glanced at her husband. David’s smile seemed a little forced.

Jordan traded glances with Fiona. Usually you could feel the energy and love in the air between those two, but tonight Marly had sounded almost…dissatisfied.