Love Draws Near

by Cynthia Hickey

  “I own a flower shop. The red-hatted dears signed me up for the beautifying committee for Main Street … me and the handsome hunk who hung my new store sign. We entered a dance contest, fell in love, got married, and that’s about it. Of course, the ladies take all the credit.” Iris smiled.

  “Hmm. My case is different. David only proposed to get my ex to leave me alone and his sister-in-law off his back. I don’t think it’s going to work in my case.” She told her about Seth showing up at the library.

  “You could put a restraining order against your ex.”

  “On what grounds? All’s he done is make improper propositions. He hasn’t laid a hand on me.”

  “It’s still sexual harassment.” Iris glanced over Tina’s shoulder. “Is that him? Because, if it is, then he’s definitely stalking you.”

  Tina glanced back. “Yes, it’s him. What do I do?”

  “Accept David’s proposal. You can always break it off later. If that doesn’t work, get the police involved.”

  She’d hate to do that. It would be so much better if Seth would just go away, marry Norma, and pretend Tina didn’t exist. Why the obsession? He didn’t want her before. Was it because another man might be interested in her? If Seth didn’t want her, he didn’t want anyone else to have her either? What did a girl do with a man like that?

  *

  David had thought he had the perfect solution. Now, he hadn’t heard from Tina in almost a week. He’d scared her off. He dialed her number for the hundredth time that week, or at least it seemed so. It went straight to voice mail

  The red hat club meeting had ended an hour ago. She should have been home by then. He could go by her house, but then he’d be no better than Seth. No, David wouldn’t stalk her. Eventually, she’d call him back, even if it was to say she didn’t want to see him anymore.

  He stared mindlessly at the late night news. Maybe it would have been better to broach the subject in person. Sometimes, he wondered whether he was more mature than his boys. Propose marriage over the phone? Idiot.

  He leaped to his feet, grabbed his car keys, and was headed to the front door before he realized he wasn’t free to leave. He had young children. Sighing, he tossed the keys back on the table and headed upstairs for another restless night.

  Just as he lay his head on the pillow, the phone rang. He grabbed it, hoping it was Tina, and saddened at discovering it was his mother. “Hello.”

  “I cannot believe she said no.”

  “You talked to Tina?”

  “Unless you proposed to someone else, then yes.” Mom’s sigh drifted across the airwaves. “But don’t despair, son. The red hats are on the job.”

  He closed his eyes and flung his arm over his face. “I wish you’d let me handle this on my own.”

  “Those boys need a mother, and I’m going to do my part to see they get one.” Click.

  The next morning, gritty-eyed and running late, David dropped the boys off at school. Tina pulled a small wheeled cart across the parking lot.

  David rolled down his window. “Good morning.”

  She froze and whirled in his direction. “Good morning.”

  “Are you in the mood for pizza tonight?”

  “Oh, uh …”

  “No pressure, but it’s a weekly ritual with us. We’d like for you to come.” Please, don’t say no. She was going to say no.

  “Yes, I’ll come.” She moved at a rapid pace to the front doors of the school.

  It wasn’t an enthusiastic acceptance, but he’d take it. He drove from the parking lot and to work. He found it difficult to concentrate on the mortgages sitting on his desk. Instead, he tried to think of a way to get Tina to accept his proposal. Maybe flowers? Or more kisses?

  He banged his head on his desk. He’d been out of the dating scene for too long and had no idea how to woo a woman. Wait, a minute. He jerked upright. She wanted declarations of love.

  Did he love her? He thought so. Was that possible after knowing her a few weeks? Yes. He’d loved a woman before, he knew the feeling. He picked up the phone and asked his receptionist to order a dozen red roses delivered to Tina’s classroom. That was start.

  No wonder she’d been ignoring him. He intended to woo her until her knees were weak and her head spun. Starting with that evening. He smiled, thinking of all the romantic movies Mandy had made him watch with her. He had a full arsenal at this disposal.

  That evening, he pulled in front of her house and got out of the back seat of a black limousine. “You boys stay here.”

  David rang her doorbell. When she answered, he handed her a single red rose. “Your chariot awaits, my princess.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “You’re wearing a tuxedo?” She glanced down at her jeans and pink blouse.

  “You’re beautiful.” He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. “You deserve a special night.”

  “Hey, Miss Johnson.” The boys stood, their heads poking through the limo’s sunroof. “This is fun.”

  “I hope you don’t mind.” David grinned. “I don’t have a babysitter until eight.”

  She smiled. “I don’t mind at all.” She pulled her door closed and slipped her arm in his. “We’ll be the fanciest people at the pizza joint, or at least you three will be.”

  He helped her into the back of the limo, where Mark handed her a glass of sparkling cider. “Dad said you’ve had a rough week.”

  “This makes up for it, thank you.” She cast a shy glance David’s way. “I feel like royalty.”

  “I want you to always feel this way,” David said, whispering in her ear. She leaned into him, warming his heart, and made a contented sound that heated his blood. Whatever mistake he had made earlier in the week, it seemed as if he were making up for it.

  The limo pulled in front of the pizza joint and the driver opened the door for them to get out. Ignoring the curious onlookers, David led his well-dressed boys and beautifully casual date inside. He’d paid a pretty penny to reserve the back room so they’d have privacy.

  “You’ve outdone yourself,” Tina said, sliding into a booth. “What’s the occasion?”

  “The boys told you.”

  “My week wasn’t that bad, just a little stressful.” She pulled a napkin from the metal holder on the table and started shredding it into little pieces.

  “Is Seth still bothering you.” David would throttle him.

  “Some, but let’s not ruin the evening talking about him.” She glanced up. “How has your week been?”

  “About the same as yours.” He tactfully left off how he’d waited for her to call him back. If she didn’t bring up the subject, he’d leave it alone. For now.

  The boys dashed off to play the arcade machines in the back of the restaurant, leaving David and Tina alone. David entwined his fingers with hers. “How are you enjoying the red hats?”

  “They’re nosy, but their hearts are in the right place. I met Iris, the owner of the flower shop.”

  His blood drained to his feet. That meant the entire group of ladies knew he’d sent Tina flowers before the flowers had even been delivered. Soon, the whole town would know. So much for trying to win Tina’s heart without an audience. Cooperville’s most eligible bachelor and a school teacher. He could see the tongues wagging already.

  “How do you feel about a walk around the lake after I drop the boys off? We should have some privacy there, away from prying eyes.”

  “Are you planning on stealing another kiss?” Her eyes twinkled.

  8

  Tina settled back against the seat of the limo while David dropped the boys off at his mother’s. The pizza had been delicious, the company entertaining, yet over it all hung the pall of her non-answer to David’s question. Of course, the romantic evening, which wasn’t over yet, leaned her toward saying yes, despite his lack of a confession of love.

  Surely, some marriages were based on less than a good friendship? David would grow to love her? What wasn’t to love?

  “I hope
I didn’t take too long.” David re-entered the car. “My mother had a lot of questions.”

  Tina giggled. “I bet she did. I’m surprised she didn’t ask to come with us.”

  “Not part of her matchmaking. She would prefer we spend a lot of time alone.” He grinned. “Wanna make out? I could ask the driver to roll the windows down and stay put for a few minutes. That would really give her something to think about.”

  Tina slapped him playfully on the shoulder. “Behave. You don’t want her spreading rumors.”

  “Oh, it’s too late for that,” he said, as the limo pulled away from the curb. “I’m sure we’re the talk of the town.”

  Good grief. One of the benefits of small town life. Everyone knew everyone’s business.

  The limo let them out beside the jogging path that circled the lake. David informed the driver to pick them up in two hours. The man nodded and drove off.

  Strategically placed street lamps, illuminated the path, but not enough to cast the area into brightness. David placed his arm around Tina’s shoulders and they strolled slowly along the path.

  “Did you always want to be a teacher?” David asked.

  “From the first moment I stepped into a classroom at the age of five.” Tina pressed closer against the chill from the breeze off the lake. “What about you?”

  “Mortgages? No. Someday, I hope to be in business for myself.” He shrugged out of his tuxedo jacket and draped it around her, enveloping her with the scent of his woodsy cologne. “I think I’d like to purchase a couple of strip malls and become a landlord, then maybe purchase some residential properties.”

  “Lofty goals.” How much money did he actually have? Not that it mattered to her whether he was wealthy or not, but she’d picked up on the subtle comments from his mother that David had money. Of course, Winnie Barton hadn’t been subtle at all during the last red hat meeting.

  “I want something to leave behind for my children.” He grasped her hand and led her to a bench at the water’s edge. “The twins, and any I might have in the future.”

  Her face flushed. “How many do you want?”

  “I have a big house.” He tilted her face to his. “What about you? Do you want children of your own someday?”

  “Of course, but I was thinking four, maybe.”

  His head lowered. “I know this guy who might want to help you with that.”

  “You do?” Her voice barely escaped a whisper.

  “Yep.” He brushed his lips across hers, gently at first, then increasing the pressure.

  She slipped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. He could ask her to marry him again. She’d say yes this time. She put everything she felt behind her kiss. His groan empowered her. She pulled his shirt free from his pants and slipped her hands up his back, her fingers tracing the rippling muscles.

  Emotions she hadn’t felt in over a year flooded through her, tossing all reason to the wind. It wasn’t until David’s hands skimmed her bare ribcage that she pulled back. “We can’t. I won’t make that mistake again.”

  “I agree. I’m sorry.” He pulled back. “You make me crazy, Tina Johnson.”

  No crazier than he did her. She fought to regulate her breathing as she put her clothes to rights.

  Something rustled in the bushes. She turned, expecting to see an animal emerge. Instead, she saw nothing, but the breeze carried with it a familiar cologne. The hairs on the back of her neck stood at attention. “Let’s go.” She grabbed David’s hand and got to her feet.

  At first, she had thought Seth’s attentions nothing more than a battered ego, now his presence raised an alarm. His stalking had stepped into dangerous territory if he had begun following her on dates and hiding.

  “What’s wrong?” David stopped her.

  “I’m pretty sure Seth was watching us from the bushes.” She glanced down the trail.

  “Are you sure?” David’s hands curled into fists. “This has got to stop.” He turned to march away.

  “No.” She jogged to catch up with, putting a hand on his arm. “Let’s just go.”

  “He can’t keep doing this.”

  “Then I’ll alert the authorities. Please, David, take me home.”

  He pulled his cell out of his pocket and called the limo. “I hate our evening to end like this.”

  So did she, but she hadn’t mistaken the sickly sweet scent of Seth’s cologne. “He broke up with me. I have no idea why the sudden interest.”

  “Because another man wants you.” He put his hand on the small of her back and led her to the brightly lit parking lot. “I’m afraid he might be turning dangerous.”

  She nodded. “I promise. I’ll put out a restraining order in the morning.” Not that it would do any good. She’d seen with a childhood friend how easy it was to ignore the warning and cause damage before the police could arrive.

  “Maybe you should stay at my place tonight. I’ve got a guest room. The boys would love it, and I wouldn’t worry.” He cupped her face. “I cook a mean omelet.”

  She nodded. “That sounds perfect.”

  *

  The moment the light clicked off in the room Tina used for the night, David headed for his home office. He’d never used work resources before, but tonight’s threat warranted it. He booted up his laptop and did a search for Seth’s address. Thankfully, the man didn’t live but two blocks away in the same upscale neighborhood David lived in.

  He grabbed his car keys from the foyer table and snuck from the house, entering the garage from an outside door. If Tina discovered what he was up to, she would worry, and he wanted to spare her that.

  He glanced at the second floor of the house as he backed from the driveway. The curtains in Tina’s room fell back into place. Despite his caution, he’d been caught. Hopefully, his explanation would be good enough when he returned.

  He could have walked to Seth’s, but wanted his car close in case he needed to make a fast getaway. Since he didn’t know the man, he wasn’t sure how violent he could get when someone showed up unexpectedly to tell him to keep his distance.

  Parking three doors from Seth’s house, David pocketed his keys and grabbed a large flashlight from under his front seat. He was ready.

  A light shined from the front window. David marched to the front porch and rang the bell. Behind the door, a baby cried.

  Seth, wearing a black jogging suit, yanked the door open and stepped onto the porch. “What do you want? Do you know what time it is?”

  David stepped off the porch, out of punching range. “I’m very aware of what time it is. My apologies for waking the baby.” David kept a firm grip on the flashlight. “I want to know what you were doing by the lake, spying on me and Tina. Why are you stalking her?”

  “You have no idea what you’re talking about?” He glanced behind him as Norma approached holding an infant around six months old.

  “You’re following Tina around?” She asked, her eyes wide. “Why?”

  “Go in the house, Norma. This doesn’t concern you.” Seth pointed.

  “It does if you’re cheating on me.”

  “Like I cheated on her with you?” Seth stepped forward, causing her to move back. “Mind your own business.” He slammed the door, then turned back to David. “It looks to me as if sweet, little Tina Johnson might not be as sweet as I remember.” He grinned. “It appears as if she might be a lot more fun than I remember.”

  David lunged forward, poking Seth in the chest with his forefinger. “Shut your mouth. You had your chance. Tina is going to marry me!”

  Seth shrugged. “You expect a piece of paper to stop me from taking what I want? Come on, Larson. You know how it is. You were married, you have kids. The whining, the loose belly Norma has from pregnant, I’m just not attracted to her like I once was.”

  “You’re a pig.” David had nothing more to say to him. He turned.

  Seth launched himself at David’s back, taking them both to the ground. The flashlight fell from his hand an
d slid across the sidewalk. David’s knee connected with the walkway, sending a shard of pain ricocheting through his leg. He rolled, until Seth was on the bottom. He struggled to get his arm under the man’s chin and keep him still.

  With a roar, Seth shoved David away. David fought to stand on his wounded knee, bringing his fists up. “I didn’t come here to fight. I came to tell you to stay away.”

  “Well, it’s a fight you’re going to get.” Seth charged.

  David moved to the side. Seth’s momentum carried him into the bushes. David planted his foot on the other man’s rear-end, and shoved. “Stay there.”

  He turned and limped to his car, thankful Norma hadn’t called the police. It was bad enough he and the other man had rolled around in the grass like a couple of teenage boys. While Tina was definitely worth fighting for, he had let the situation rule his head. How in the world was he going to explain himself to her?

  Pulling into the driveway, he noticed Tina’s curtains flutter again. He sighed. He’d hoped he could sneak in and explain his limp in the morning.

  She met him at the foot of the stairs, her arms crossed, giving him a glimpse of what he could look forward to when upsetting her after they were married. Spots of color dotted her cheeks. She was adorable when she was angry.

  “Follow me to the bathroom, and I’ll explain,” he said, limping past her.

  “What happened to your leg?” She followed.

  “Seth jumped me from behind.” He expected her to say it served him right for going over there. Instead, she closed the toilet lid, motioned for him to sit, and rummaged in the medicine cabinet.

  “Roll up your pant leg. It’s a good thing you changed to blue jeans before doing something so stupid. They provided a little bit of protection.” She hissed at the sight of his skinned and swollen knee. “You should probably go to the emergency room.”

  “It’s just banged up. It’ll be fine in a few days.” David gritted his teeth as she poured peroxide over the scrape. “I can answer your questions about how old the baby is.”

  “You saw it?”

  “She’s a cute little thing. At least, I think it’s a girl. Hard to tell when they’re bald, but she looked about six months old.”