Heart of Love

by Shanna Hatfield

  “Fine.” Anna blushed as she set down her purse and removed her shoes.

  “You look fantastic.” Sam used his walker to shuffle over to her and pat her on the back. “What did Jake say?”

  “Not much.” Anna picked up her purse and rummaged through the contents, pretending a disinterested attitude that was a far cry from her true feelings. Truth be known, she thought she might burst with happiness.

  “Not much?” Sam frowned at her. “Is he blind? Maybe I need to have a talk with him. I could give him a piece of…”

  “Sam,” Anna placed a hand on his arm and grinned. “You didn’t let me finish. He didn’t say much, but what he did say made me very happy. He said I looked amazing right before he asked me out to dinner tonight.”

  “Oh, Anna, that’s fantastic!” Sue gave her daughter an enthusiastic hug. “So what time are you eating?”

  “I told him no.” Anna dropped onto a stool at the counter.

  “What?” Sue and Sam asked in unison.

  “I didn’t want him to think I was overly anxious.” Anna’s eyes twinkled with humor. “So he asked me to have dinner with him tomorrow night. I’m going to meet him right after work.”

  “Perfect, sweetie. That’s perfect.” Sue placed a loving hand on Anna’s cheek, giving her a pleased smile.

  “I hope so, Mom.” Anna released a sigh. “I hope it’ll be perfect.”

  Chapter Eight

  Anna arrived at work early the next morning and spent most of the day working in the basement, out of the sight of Jake, should he happen to wander in.

  Mrs. Baxter appeared at Anna’s side about twenty minutes before her shift ended for the day. “How’s the project going?”

  Anna smiled at the woman. “Great. I found a first edition of A Girl of the Limberlost today. It’s still in good condition, too. It was one of my favorite stories when I was in high school.”

  “That’s wonderful, dear.” Mrs. Baxter looked at her watch. “I think you should get ready for your date with Jake. You want to look as fresh as a dewy rose when he arrives to take you to dinner.”

  That morning, Anna had mentioned in passing she was meeting Jake after work for dinner. Mrs. Baxter and Betty glommed onto the comment with both hands and had tittered about it all day.

  “Thank you.” Anna walked with Mrs. Baxter out of the storage room where she worked and down the hall to the employee break room. The woman patted her on the back before disappearing toward the stairs.

  Anna went into the bathroom and slipped on a fresh blouse, touched up her mascara, added a spritz of perfume, and fluffed her hair.

  After one final glance in the mirror, Anna hurried upstairs to the back door. Mrs. Baxter waited for her there.

  “You’re going to knock his socks off, Anna.” Mrs. Baxter smiled encouragingly.

  Anna took a deep breath, working up the nerve to go outside and greet Jake. With a quick wave to Mrs. Baxter, she opened the door and stepped outside.

  Bright summer sunshine shone around her as Anna slipped on her sunglasses and walked toward her date. Jake leaned against his shiny truck, hat tipped up, watching her approach. A broad smile spread across his face and he held a hand out to her.

  “Hi.” Anna’s voice sounded low and breathless as she slipped her hand into his. Although this wasn’t her first date ever, it may have well been for all the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Forcefully tamping down her fears, she reminded herself she’d been friends with Jake for a couple of months. They’d even been out to dinner several times.

  However, one look in Jake’s warm blue eyes made it clear this evening was much more than a simple dinner between friends.

  “Hey, yourself.” Jake squeezed her soft fingers with his work-roughened hand. He hadn’t been able to stop grinning since she said she would have dinner with him. He knew he must look like an idiot. Quickly stepping away from the pickup, he started to kiss her cheek then thought better of it, not wanting to scare her off before the date even started.

  “You want to go for a spin in this new car of yours or take my truck?” Admiration filled his gaze as he looked at her car.

  “Do you really want a ride?” Anna asked, surprised he’d want to go in her car. “I’d be happy to drive.”

  Jake’s face lit with anticipation as he turned his face to study her Camaro again. “I’ve always wanted to ride around in a cool car with a hot babe and now I’ve got a chance.”

  It was a good thing Anna didn’t hear what he said, or she would have dropped her keys and flushed with embarrassment.

  Jake hurried to open the driver’s side door for her, waiting for her to get in. She looked amazing in a black skirt, black wedge sandals with straps that wound around her ankles, and a deep purple blouse that made her eyes appear even more violet. As soon as she buckled her seatbelt, he shut the door, ran back to his pickup and grabbed a surprise, then slid in beside her.

  When she turned to look at him, he held out a single violet-colored rose.

  “For you.” His voice sounded husky as he handed her the flower. “It reminded me of your eyes.”

  Anna glanced from the rose to him and back to the rose as her eyes widened and grew moist with unshed tears. She’d never received a flower from a guy before. Happiness flooded through her, not only for Jake’s thoughtful gesture, but because her first flower came from him.

  If he didn’t want her to get the idea he wanted to be more than friends, he needed to stop being so sweet and attentive.

  “Thank you,” she whispered, burying her nose in the bloom. “It’s lovely.”

  She laid the rose on the back seat, along with her purse, took another deep breath, and started the ignition.

  “Are you buckled in, cowboy?” Cautiously, Anna backed out of her parking space.

  “Yep.” Jake chuckled, observing all the features inside the car. “I see you went with the manual transmission. Impressive.” He gave her a sidelong glance and raised his eyebrow questioningly. “You aren’t going to break any laws or speed limits are you?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous!” Anna carefully pulled out of the parking lot onto the street.

  A stab of disappointment hit Jake when he realized she drove the car just like he expected — cautious and careful. He wondered why she wanted a muscle car if she was going to drive it like a family sedan. The Camaro was designed to be fast and fun.

  As he gazed at the beautiful girl behind the wheel, Jake decided she could drive like a half-blind octogenarian all the way to dinner and back, and he wouldn’t mind. He didn’t care about her driving. Time spent with her was what held his interest.

  “So, where are we heading for dinner?” Anna asked as they drove down the street.

  “I thought it might be nice to go to Giovanni’s.” Jake turned his gaze out the passenger window, afraid of what her reaction would be to his suggestion.

  Everyone in town knew Giovanni’s was where you went on a serious date. It was the place to go for a romantic evening with someone special.

  Convinced she misheard him, Anna nudged him with her elbow. “I’m sorry, Jake, I didn’t hear you.” If he wanted to change his mind, she offered him the perfect opportunity.

  “Sorry, I forgot and talked looking the other direction again.” Jake gave her an apologetic smile. “I said I’d like to take you to Giovanni’s, if you don’t mind.”

  “I don’t mind.” Anna pondered what his interest in taking her there could mean. Everyone knew it was the most romantic restaurant in town. Determined not to jump to any conclusions, she planned to enjoy the evening. She might never experience another like it.

  When they reached the parking lot at the restaurant, Jake jumped out and hurried around the car to open her door.

  He ogled her long legs as she stepped out of car, astonished at how tall and graceful she appeared in her new clothes. With the added height from her sandals, she had to be at least six feet tall.

  As they walked inside the restaurant, Jake took note t
hat Anna received many interested glances from men looking out from the bar. Of course, she had no clue she was the object of anyone’s attention.

  A primitive urge to make sure everyone understood Anna was his caused Jake to place his hand at the small of her back. The territory was officially marked and he wouldn’t tolerate any interlopers.

  Besides, the fiery currents racing from his fingertips to every extremity at the slightest contact with her left him on edge. He wondered if Anna felt it, too. Since she looked completely calm and poised, he doubted it.

  After guiding her to the hostess station, he provided his name and reservation time. Anna looked at him, a bit surprised.

  “Right this way, Mr. Chandler. Your table is ready.” The hostess led them toward a private booth in a corner.

  While Anna took a seat, Jake removed his hat and hung it on the hook at the end of the booth. Instead of sitting across from her, he slid in next to her.

  Overwhelmed with surreal feelings, Anna dreamed about going out on a real date with Jake so many times, she experienced a strange sense of déjà vu.

  So far, this date was even better than her dreams. The minute his hand touched her back, she felt like she’d been struck by lightning. Every nerve ending in her body snapped to attention. It was all she could do to keep herself together.

  Awkward silence settled between them, so Anna looked around the restaurant. “Jake, this is wonderful. I appreciate you bringing me here.” She’d eaten at Giovanni’s a few times with her family. The experience held an entirely different perspective as she sat in a corner booth with one of the best-looking and fun men anyone would ever have the pleasure of meeting.

  He flashed one of his heart-stopping grins. “I’m glad you think so.”

  In the past, he’d strictly avoided bringing dates to the restaurant because he didn’t want them to get the wrong idea. The only time he had eaten there was with family. Somehow, it didn’t surprise him that when he decided to take Anna out on a real date, the place that came to mind was Giovanni’s.

  Although her lips moved, he found it impossible to concentrate on what she said. Jake began a spiraling dive into the depths of her soulful violet eyes until the server arrived to take their order.

  When she left the table, they both seemed tense and uncomfortable. Jake asked Anna about car shopping and they were soon back to chatting and teasing, talking like old friends as they had so many times before.

  “Why a Camaro? What made you decide to buy it?” Jake asked as the server approached with his plate of lasagna.

  “I’ve never had a new car before and I saved my money. Before I moved back home, I lived frugally and built up a nest egg. I wanted a car that would be a fun.” Anna shrugged her shoulders then broke a breadstick in half.

  “And the new clothes, your new look? What inspired that?” Jake probed, hoping he had provided some inspiration.

  “I was finally ready for a change. Why not do it all at once?” Anna answered, taking a bite of her pasta.

  “Yeah, why not?” Jake watched Anna and wished he could kiss away the bit of sauce clinging to her bottom lip, especially when the tip of her tongue came out and licked it away.

  After dinner, Anna asked Jake if he’d like to take the car for a drive. He jumped at the opportunity. They drove through town then out on the highway before turning down the road that led to Clay and Callan’s place.

  Before he realized what he was doing, they were out of the car and at the door, ringing the bell. Jake admitted to himself that he really wanted to show off Anna.

  “Hey, Jake. Hi, Anna. Come on in.” Audrey opened the door, popping her gum in the annoying fashion that only a thirteen-year-old can manage. She stepped aside so they could enter while yelling over her shoulder. “Mama, Jake’s here with Anna.”

  Callan and Clay walked into the living room, smiling.

  “Hello, you two,” Callan greeted, giving them both hugs. “My goodness, Anna. You look wonderful.”

  Self-consciously, Anna smoothed a hand down the front of her skirt. “Thank you. I… um… went on a little shopping spree.”

  Callan turned to Clay, and they both laughed.

  “Does this remind you of something, Callan?” Clay asked his wife.

  Callan nodded her head then smiled at Jake. “Do you remember when I did a little makeover, Jake?”

  He chuckled at the memory. Turning to Anna, he explained why they all laughed. “Callan waited until Clay was out of town then spent the weekend getting a complete makeover. She looked so different when Clay arrived home, he didn’t even know who she was until she tried to kiss him. They even fooled me at school one day because I hadn’t seen her for a while. It was quite the joke.”

  “I’ll never forget it.” Clay kissed Callan on her cheek while his eyes warmed to liquid blue.

  Anna watched Jake’s cousins and felt a sudden stab of pain. She wanted so badly to be in a relationship. Not just any relationship, though. She wanted someone to love her the way Clay loved Callan. They were deeply in love with each other, even after many years of marriage.

  Callan invited them to sit down and offered to get everyone iced tea.

  “We can’t stay, Callan, but thanks for the offer.” Jake guided Anna toward the front door. “Anna just got a new car and let me take it for a spin.”

  Clay, Callan, and the girls followed them outside where Clay let out an appreciative whistle. “Nice wheels, Anna.”

  “Mama, that is exactly the car I want when I can drive!” Audrey tugged on her mother’s arm in excitement.

  “Yeah?” Callan laughed, shaking her head. “I don’t think so, missy.”

  Anna allowed both Audrey and Emma to climb inside the car, breathe in the new leather smell, and see all the cool bells and whistles before Clay and Callan shooed them back inside the house.

  “Have a nice evening, you two.” Clay winked at Jake.

  “Thanks for stopping by,” Callan said, giving Jake a knowing grin. “Come back some evening for dinner. We’d love to have a good visit with you both.”

  “Will do, Callan.” Jake shut Anna’s door before walking around to the passenger side.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to drive, Jake?” Anna asked, as she backed the car around and started down the road.

  “No, you drive. Thanks for letting me take it for a spin and going in to see Clay and Callan. They’re two of my favorite people, but you probably already knew that.” Jake tried not to stare at the enticing girl beside him.

  “They’re so nice. I can see why they’re special to you,” Anna agreed as they reached the highway.

  Instead of turning back toward town, Anna headed toward Portland. When they turned off a few miles down the road onto a little-used paved road, Jake fell speechless when Anna floored the car and took off like a shot.

  A skillful driver, she expertly handled the car. Even so, he had to restrain himself from grabbing a hold of the dashboard and stomping the floorboards in an effort to get her to slow down. Vaguely recalling his wish earlier that she’d not drive so cautiously, he wanted to take it back.

  Aware of Jake’s anxiety, Anna bit her cheek to keep from laughing as he braced himself against the door. He acted as if he was afraid she’d wreck the car at any second. Finally taking pity on him, she slowed down. The tension drained from him and he relaxed until she deliberately took a sharp corner and did a few fancy maneuvers with the car. When his eyes widened with fear, she decided she’d terrorized him enough for one evening.

  She turned around and headed back to the highway.

  Once the car traveled in the direction of Tenacity, Jake realized Anna wasn’t willingly going to cause his demise with her driving and relaxed. If she ever tired of working at the library, she could easily get a job as a stunt car driver.

  “Where in the world did a girl like you learn to drive like that?” Jake asked when his breathing returned to normal.

  Anna clenched the steering wheel in her hands and glared at him f
rom behind her sunglasses. “What do you mean a girl like me? What kind of girl would that be, exactly?”

  Jake realized his next choice of words could have a huge impact on how the evening ended.

  He really wanted it to end well.

  “Your kind of girl is sweet, shy, and wonderful.” Jake smiled in a way he hoped she found endearing. “But I should have learned by now that you, my sweet Sugar, are full of surprises.”

  If Anna’s heart hadn’t already melted ten-times over that evening, Jake’s comment would surely finish her off. He always knew just the right thing to say to soften her heart and her head.

  Rather than surrender to her emotions, she focused on driving. “I’ve been driving since I was twelve. Daddy taught both Sam and I to drive at young ages because he needed the help. Sam and I taught ourselves how to handle a car with a video game and an old mustang Dad kept from his wild and wooly youth. We never did anything too perilous with it, but we had loads of fun.”

  The drive into town passed quickly, even with Anna driving the speed limit. She didn’t want the evening to end anytime soon, but they both had to work the next day and she was nearly back to the library parking lot. She parked next to Jake’s truck, turned off the ignition, and studied him through her sunglasses.

  “Anna…” Jake looked at her with a new light in his eyes, one that seemed to speak volumes from his heart. He unbuckled his seat belt, tipped back his hat, then slowly removed her glasses.

  Softly brushing his thumb across her cheek, he looked deep into those violet depths and knew he’d already lost a part of himself there.

  “May I kiss you, please?” Jake didn’t know what he’d do if she said no. It was the first time in his life he’d asked permission for a kiss. He was more inclined to kiss first and wait to see if an apology might later be required. So far, it never had been.

  He’d waited so long to kiss Anna, he thought he’d suffer some incurable malady if he couldn’t taste her lips before going home. Although he’d wanted to kiss her numerous times, he’d held back, afraid Anna would reject him.

  Her voice came out in a breathy whisper. “Yes, Jake.” Anna closed her eyes and leaned closer to him. Her exotic tropical scent floated around him, filling his senses.