Hearts on Hold

by Charish Reid

  “Preferably at the beginning,” Paula said. “Let me get a pen. This could end up in my next book.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Victoria woke up on Sunday morning, feeling excited and nervous about her first real date with John. As she pulled into his driveway, she examined the bungalows that lined the quiet suburban cul-de-sac. While many of them were already decorated for Halloween, John’s home was not. He didn’t even have a festive autumn wreath on the front door. The only evidence that John was in a fall mood were the dead leaves he’d forgotten to sweep from his porch. Victoria chewed on her lip as she parked her car, wondering if he wasn’t a fan of Halloween. What if her planned activities weren’t interesting enough? Get out of your head, Victoria! John wasn’t the kind of person who nitpicked over her work.

  As she made her way to the front door, she pulled her red checkered flannel shirt down her waist and ran her tongue over her teeth. Her nerves were getting the best of her, making her second-guess her appearance. After yesterday’s freakum dress—that she had definitely bought—she wondered if jeans and a comfy flannel would make an impression. Get out of your head, Victoria! He’d liked her well enough when she wore a Golden Girls T-shirt to the library. She flung her braids over her shoulder, took a deep breath, and knocked on his door. After a minute, the door swung open to reveal John dressed in a nearly identical outfit.

  Victoria laughed as soon as they exchanged looks. John broke into a grin. “What?” he asked.

  “Twinsies,” she said, gesturing between the two of them. “You look like a sexy lumberjack.”

  “As do you,” he said, holding his hand out. “Come in.”

  She took his hand and crossed the threshold, shocked to find a neat and tidy home. In fact, it looked barely lived in with its distinct absence of accents, wall hangings, or rugs to cover the hardwood floors. In the living room, there was a sectional, one plush easy chair, a glass coffee table, and a television.

  John caught her sweeping appraisal of his home. “I have to keep it like this,” he said. “It makes things easier to clean.”

  “That’s smart,” she said with a nod. “Is that why you’re the only one on the block not celebrating Halloween?”

  He chuckled. “If I put up decorations, they’d stay up until Christmas. I try to cut clutter in certain parts of my life.”

  “Of course. That makes sense,” Victoria said as she reached out and touched his arm. “I was just hoping you didn’t hate Halloween or something.”

  “Who could hate Halloween? It gets everyone pumped for the other holidays,” he said with a grin. “It’s the gateway drug of holidays.”

  She couldn’t help but laugh at his analogy. “Maybe you’re right.”

  “Should I give you the tour?” he asked. “That’s what people do, right? It’s the only reason to buy a house.”

  Victoria glanced at her watch. “I’d like to take the tour later, but we have to get going.”

  John’s brow creased in confusion. “You just got here.”

  “I know, but I planned the whole day and if we don’t leave now, we’re going to be late to the first thing.” To prevent him from asking too many more questions, she stood on her tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

  He held her in place, wrapping his strong arms around her waist. “You mean I got a kid out of the house and I can’t even have sex with you upon arrival?”

  Victoria lowered her lashes. “Not now, I’m afraid.”

  A low growl rose from his chest. “Then what good is a teen girl sleepover?”

  With her body pressed against his, she was starting to reconsider her original plan in favor of a house tour if it meant starting with his bedroom. “It sounds like you’re still stuck on last week’s sordid affair. We’re trying it your way, remember?”

  “Perhaps we can do both? Now?” John asked in a low voice before swooping down for another kiss. She melted under his lips and let out an involuntary moan as he tilted her head back for more. Before she could lose her head, Victoria planted her hands on his broad chest and gently pushed him back.

  “That’s very tempting,” she breathed. “But you’re the one who promised hand-holding and first-date banter.”

  She tried not to laugh at John’s pitiful expression. “Fine,” he said. “I’ll go.”

  “I see you’ve picked up a few things from Becca.”

  “It usually works when she does it,” John said, pulling a zip up hoodie from a coatrack. “I see it doesn’t work on everyone.”

  * * *

  When they pulled up to Smith’s Apple Orchard, Victoria cut the ignition and looked at John. “Ta-da.”

  He surveyed the bustling crowd and smiled. “Ta-da, indeed.”

  “I thought we’d have a fall-themed outing today.” As she tried to read his expression, she added. “If you don’t like it, we can do something else.” It had been a long time since Victoria had been in charge of planning a date and she hoped she wasn’t too rusty.

  “No, no, I’ve always wanted to come here,” he said, taking her hand. “I’ve skipped it in the past because it never felt like a place for single men to wander.”

  Joy and relief surged through her as she flashed him a beaming smile. “Well, you’re not single today and I’ve got a list of things for us to do,” she said, pulling out her phone. “We have to buy some pumpkins, and then hit up the corn maze, see the petting zoo...”

  John took her phone from her. “I’m going to hold on to this while we explore the orchard. We don’t need a list to have fun.”

  “But I don’t want to miss anything,” Victoria protested.

  He placed the phone in his pants pocket. “And I keep telling you that we don’t need a plan.”

  “Alright,” she said with a resigned sigh. “Please don’t let me forget to stop by the barnyard petting zoo, they have goats this year.”

  He chuckled as he tweaked her nose. “We will see the goats, woman.”

  They exited the car and made their way to the entrance. Along the way, John slipped his hand into hers and tugged her closer to his side. She looked up at him to see him watching children running around, dodging those who slowly strolled. Their excited shrieks of laughter made him grin. Victoria liked the way the corners of his eyes crinkled when he smiled. She also liked the way he held her hand with a protective squeeze, like she was actually his girlfriend. For a moment, she let her mind wander to her and John actually dating. It was a tempting idea to have something more stable than what they currently had.

  Their first stop was the barnyard petting zoo. Upon seeing the animals, Victoria pulled away from John’s grasp and ran to the first goat. “Look at him,” she squealed.

  John doubled over with laughter. “You’re serious about these goats,” he said.

  “I wanted to be a farmer when I was a kid,” she said, stroking the gray and black goat’s nose.

  “Did you really?” John’s tone was incredulous. “I can’t picture it.”

  “Oh yeah, I was convinced I’d have chickens and goats and some cows.”

  “What did you want to grow?”

  She shrugged. “Corn, maybe? The crop wasn’t as important as the animals. I wasn’t allowed to have any pets when I was a kid because my mom didn’t want to deal with the mess. I must have thought if I were a farmer, I could have a collection of animals and no one could say anything about it,” Memories of her farm schematics made her chuckle. She remembered visiting her local library and asking for books on livestock and animal husbandry.

  John dug for something in his pocket. When he retrieved a quarter, he fed it into a machine that dispensed feed for the goats. “Here, hold out your hand.” Victoria tried to contain her excitement as she collected a handful of feed from John. “You look like you’re going to lose your mind,” he said with a chuckle.

  “This is the
best,” she said, watching her new goat friend nibble at her hand. When he was done, the goat licked her fingers with a rough tongue before pulling away to join the others. Victoria wiped her hands on her jacket and glanced to John who was watching her with amusement in his eyes. “Actually, this may have been a date meant for me more than you.”

  “Anything that makes you smile like that is a good date to me,” he said. “They’ve got rabbits too, if you’re interested.”

  “We might need to remember the teachings of the little girl from your reading group before we interact with the bunnies.”

  John winced. “Damn, you just reminded me that I still need to email her mother.”

  “And that’s why you make lists,” Victoria said, biting back a grin.

  “Lists are for work,” he said as he took her hand again. “Not for fun times as you like to call them.”

  They walked around the goat pen and into a barn where the rest of the animals were. Near the entrance, there was a large rabbit hutch managed by a teenage boy who wore a Smith’s Apple Orchard sweatshirt. He held one of the bunnies in the crook of his arm and let children pet its ears. “You have to be quiet around him,” he told the kids. “And use a soft touch.” The young man fielded all their questions while keeping a secure hold on the animal.

  “So when did you make the transition from farmer to professor?” John asked, watching the rabbit showing.

  Victoria made a face. “Around Becca’s age, I guess.” She didn’t really have to guess. It was right after that school bus fight with Kiki that the tide had shifted. “My mother got tired of my tomboy antics and made me behave like a lady. But I used to do a lot of fun stuff with my granddad and my father.”

  “A tomboy?” John said with a raised brow. “I still can’t picture it.”

  “I was a military brat,” she explained. “My dad is a Marine and I don’t think he knew what to do with a daughter. It was a weird tug of war between my parents. Everywhere we moved, my mother made sure to hook up with local officers’ wives and plan charity events or galas. That was her thing. I don’t know, maybe the farm fantasy was a way for me to put down roots?”

  “Okay, now the ‘whiskey locker’ makes sense,” John said with a smirk. “Outside of going to school in Chicago, I’ve spent my entire life here.”

  “That’s where my family eventually ended up after my dad retired. I went to school at the University of Chicago, you?”

  “DePaul.”

  She nodded. “Do you ever feel like going somewhere else?”

  John seemed to think about his answer. “My sister’s trip to Sweden reminded me that I want to visit more of the world.” He stroked his chin and narrowed his gaze on the rabbit demonstration before them. “I guess if the opportunity ever arose, I’d try something new. But for now, I like my job and I like Farmingdale.”

  “Did you know that, outside of school, this is the longest I’ve ever spent in one location?”

  “Really? How long have you been here?”

  Victoria counted the years in her mind. “A little over four years.”

  “And we’re just meeting...” he mused. “I can’t imagine walking past you in a grocery store and not seeing you.”

  “It may have happened,” she said with a smile. Victoria couldn’t imagine what rock she had lived under before meeting John. He was so large and vibrant that a chance meeting should have taken place much sooner.

  “When was the last time you were at the library, before we met?”

  She searched her memory. “I don’t know. It’s been a long time.”

  “Possibly not since January?”

  Her gaze flew to his face. “Yes, probably. Why would you say that?”

  John couldn’t hide the mirth in his eyes. “For the Duke’s Convenience was the last thing you checked out. Fines are ten cents per day and ten months of fines adds to about thirty dollars.”

  Victoria bit back a grin and crossed her arms. “If I buy the book for eight dollars and gift it to the library, will you take me off the wanted posters?”

  “Absolutely not.” His green eyes danced with merriment. “It’s out of print anyway. You managed to steal a very old paperback.”

  She opened her mouth to say something sassy but was cut off by the young man. “Did you guys want to pet the rabbit?” Victoria looked around to find they were alone, the group of children having long left in favor of something else.

  John had already stepped up to the teenager. “Of course. Do you mind if I hold him?”

  “If you’re careful,” the teen warned. “He’s a Dutch, so he’s kind of feisty.”

  The handoff was a little rocky as the little guy left the warmth of one arm to the massive hands of another. John scooped its bottom and kicking legs with one hand while the other held its upper body. The small Dutch settled down once John held him to his chest. “He’s not too feisty,” John said in a soft voice.

  Her ovaries nearly exploded as she watched John cradle the black and white Dutch to his chest like it was an infant. The rabbit nuzzled its nose against his neck, his little tongue darting around licking John’s skin. “He’s giving you tiny kisses,” she said, trying to bury a squeal.

  “It tickles,” he said with a low chuckle.

  “I need a picture of this.”

  “Your phone is in my pocket,” he reminded her. She slowly approached him, taking care not to disturb the rabbit, and felt the outside of his pants. “Watch it, Dr. Reese,” he whispered with a wink.

  “You watch it, Mr. Donovan,” she said under her breath. She slipped her hand in his pocket, brushing her fingers against his rock hard thigh. When she had snapped enough photos, she began petting the rabbit herself. “He’s so soft,” she murmured, pressing her face against its fur, inhaling the scent of woodchips and hay.

  “You want to take him home with you?” John asked, peering down at her. “He could be a good way to start your farm. They can’t pull a plow but they poop a lot.”

  “Tempting,” she admitted. “But this little guy should stay with his brothers and sisters.”

  Eventually John transferred the rabbit back to the capable teen and they exited the barn hand in hand. Victoria’s breath appeared before her face in the brisk autumn air. “Maybe we should get some hot cider,” she said, stuffing her free hand in her jacket pocket.

  “Before we tackle the other items on your list?”

  “Yes.”

  “Excellent.”

  “Are you having a nice time?” Victoria asked, enjoying the firm grasp of his hand in hers and the warmth of his body. John looked so handsome with his sandy blonde hair bound in a ponytail, and his Brawny Man outfit, she found it difficult to stop staring at him. He was a perfect fit for their environment, easygoing and confident with himself. For a second, Victoria hoped that by extension, she was a perfect fit for him.

  John pulled her close and planted an affectionate kiss on her cheek. “Anytime I’m with you, I’m having a nice time,” he said with an easy smile.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  When Victoria brought them to the next leg of their journey, John debated how to tell her that this was a terrible idea. They were quickly approaching the entrance of McLean’s Haunted Warehouse, a Farmingdale attraction that he hadn’t visited since he was in high school. Sixteen-year-old John had liked the idea of impressing Kimberly Yates, but had left her near a bloody corpse midway through as he’d dashed towards the exit. Thirty-eight-year-old John was secure enough in his masculinity to admit that this wasn’t his idea of fun. As soon as he’d set eyes upon the cardboard zombie cutouts, his heart rate had accelerated.

  Before he could voice his concerns, Victoria paused beside him. “Are you okay?”

  He took a deep breath and nodded vigorously. “Yeah, sure. I’m cool,” he lied.

  She narrowed her eyes and smiled. “Ar
e you sure?” She held up their joined hands. “Because your grip just got tighter and sweatier.”

  “I don’t do haunted houses,” John admitted. He glanced at the entrance again, reminded of the breakneck speed he’d run when Kimberly had screamed. “When I was a teenager, I got scared and left a girl in there.”

  “That happens,” she said in a serious voice, no trace of irony or humor. “But you’re an adult now. You’re also a lot braver than I am.”

  He scoffed even though her observation made him straighten up. “How do you figure?”

  The warmth in her smile matched her voice. “You’re a man who takes chances. I like that about you, John. I think I take more chances when I’m with you.”

  He was momentarily speechless in his surprise. John had no idea that Victoria regarded him in that way. “Is that a fact?”

  “Besides I don’t think it will be as terrifying as you remember. I hate to say it, but these are a bunch of theater majors hamming it up and competing for the limelight,” Victoria said easily. “You remember the theater kids from high school, right?”

  He did. They were an exuberant crowd. John rubbed his sweaty palms against his jeans and scanned the ticket line. “A little thrill isn’t a bad thing, I guess.”

  “A little thrill is a great thing.” She laughed. “I love scary stuff. Halloween frights are my favorite.”

  While John enjoyed learning about the woman who originally wanted him for his body, he was nervous about what this knowledge would do to his heart. The first part of their date had been delightful. They drank hot cider, picked out two pumpkins, and wandered around the corn maze. In the car, she had kept mum about the second activity as she’d stuffed herself full of kettle corn. He’d been expecting a low-key, relaxing dinner or a movie. John could have easily seen a movie with her; instead he was going to have a heart attack. “I don’t do well with crazy shit jumping out at me,” he warned. “I make it a point to never watch horror movies either.”