Seaside Avenue (Cedar Cove #7)(47)

“I was afraid it’d be bumper-to-bumper the entire way, but it looks like you made good time.”

Troy had no interest in this mundane conversation. “Listen, Faith,” he said abruptly. “I’d best get this over with now.” He stood and paced in front of the fireplace. “My wife was sick for many years.”

“Yes, Troy, I know that.”

“Right.” He was going over ground already covered. “There’s never been anyone else.”

“I’d be shocked if there had been.”

Troy saw that he was making a mess of this. “I’m not eighteen anymore, Faith. I don’t know about…these things.”

She looked at him with such sweet innocence, it was all he could do not to kiss her right then and there. “Just tell me, would you?” he groaned.

“Tell you what?”

“Can I kiss you?”

“Oh.”

“I mean, if you’d rather I didn’t, I understand. But I don’t want to spend the whole evening wondering—worrying about it. So tell me now. Either way is fine.”

“Fine.” Her hands were clenched tightly in her lap. “I think it would be perfectly nice if we kissed.”

“Really?” All at once he felt lighter than air.

“Would you like to do it now?” she asked with a faint smile.

“Now?”

“I don’t want you to worry about it through dinner.”

He thought she might be teasing him but he didn’t take offense. “If you don’t mind, I’d prefer to wait.”

Faith grinned. “As a matter of fact, I’d like to wait, too.”

Then they had a glass of wine, and the conversation flowed as naturally as it always seemed to, everything from high-school reminiscences to the books they happened to be reading.

Because the dinner she’d made when he had to cancel at the last minute had gone more or less to waste, Troy insisted on taking her out. With the help of an online recommendation, he’d made reservations at an upscale waterfront restaurant. The place was small and elegant, with intimate lighting and attentive waiters. Faith raved about the seafood she had, and he had to agree that his salmon, too, was exceptionally good. Afterward they went for a walk along the beach near Alki, removing their shoes and strolling hand-in-hand. He carried his shoes, with his socks stuffed inside, and felt conscious of every sensory detail—the cool, firm sand, the brilliant colors of the setting sun, her enticing floral scent.

“I didn’t know what to think when you got to my house this evening,” Faith told him. “You looked so stern. I had this horrible feeling you’d gone through all that traffic just to come and tell me you didn’t want to see me again.”

“Hardly,” Troy muttered, loving the feel of her so close. Asking permission to kiss her might not have been his smoothest move, but he was glad he’d done it. Now he could concentrate on her and on the anticipation of that kiss.

“Might I remind you that you’ve already broken my heart once,” she said lightly.

“You recovered.”

“So did you.” She paused. “Troy, we both loved our spouses, but they’re gone. I’m so grateful that you and I have this second chance. Grateful and excited.”

“I feel the same way. Grateful, excited and nervous.” He shook his head. “The truth is I’m surprised I didn’t throw up.”

“You? Oh, come on, Troy, you’ve always been so sure of yourself.”

“Yeah, right.”

The wind carried the sound of her laughter and just hearing it made him want to laugh, too.

“I’m knitting a baby blanket for your daughter,” Faith told him. “I hope that isn’t too forward of me.”

“Of course not. I’m sure Megan will be very pleased.” Even as he spoke, Troy instinctively realized that the instant Megan learned the blanket had been knit by a woman he was dating, she’d be upset. Megan needed time before she’d be able to accept Faith, or anyone else for that matter, in his life. Maybe when the baby was born…He considered sharing his concern with Faith, but decided against it. He suddenly wondered how her kids felt about him.

He shook off his thoughts, and together they watched the final moments of sunset. Now. He’d kiss her now. He dropped his shoes on the sand, then gently turned her into his embrace and lowered his mouth to hers. Faith slid her arms around his neck.

This was the first time in more than thirty years that Troy had kissed a woman other than his wife. He found Faith’s lips moist and warm and most wonderful of all, inviting.

When he lifted his mouth from hers, he saw that she was smiling up at him. “That wasn’t so bad now, was it?” she murmured.

He frowned at her. “Not bad? That’s it?”

“All right, lovely.”

“That’s a little more like it.” Perhaps he should try again, he mused, and without hesitation touched his lips to hers. The same thrilling sensation stole over him. In his opinion, this was a thousand times better than not bad or lovely. It was…he searched for the right word. Incredible came to mind, but Faith had to feel it, too, before he’d risk saying that.

Her eyes were still closed when he raised his head.

“Pretty good,” he said in an offhand manner.