Blue Moon Kisses: Georgia Moon Romance Book 3

by Cindy Roland Anderson

  “I don’t,” Nora said with a shake of her head. “I’ve got my laptop. Does that work?”

  “I think so.” Ashlee smiled at the older woman. “After supper, we’ll see what we can find.”

  “Bless you, sweet girl. My husband died more than five years ago. He was a good man, and I’d like to see if I could find another one before I’m too old.”

  “I’d be happy to help you.”

  They started toward the cafeteria while Miss Nora continued to tell Ashlee about the kind of man she’d like to meet. His grandmother even said she might consider joining a dating service for seniors, only she didn’t think she wanted another husband. Her second marriage hadn’t been as good as her first.

  Beau held the door open for the women. Ashlee was the last to go inside, and she completely ignored him as she passed by. The dining area was packed full of residents, and his nana was quite popular. Several people called out to her as they crossed the room to the buffet table. While she paused to talk to a group of women, Beau caught up to Ashlee.

  “Are there really dating apps for seniors?” he asked in a low voice.

  She finally looked at him, a half-smile tilting her lips. “Why? You’re old, but not that old.”

  “Very funny.” He glanced toward his grandmother and Miss Nora, who were busy telling the group of women they were going to join an online dating service. “But you’ve kind of got their hopes up pretty high.”

  She grinned. “I don’t know about apps, but I do know there are matchmaking services for older people. I’ve seen the commercials.”

  Beau glanced around the dining hall. It appeared the women outnumbered the men, but there were still potential dates here without resorting to online dating. “Why can’t they get to know some of the men living here? It would be much safer than meeting a total stranger.”

  Ashlee looked around and shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe the men aren’t interested in dating.” She met his eyes and grinned mischievously. “Or, it could be they’re a little older than the women and they can’t get over the age difference.”

  Before he could comment, his nana touched him on the arm as she introduced him to the group of ladies. Then she took Ashlee by the hand and introduced her to the group. “She’s going to show us how to sign up for an online dating service,” Nana said proudly.

  “I want to join,” a woman said, raising her hand.

  “Me too,” several other women echoed.

  “Okay,” Ashlee said, looking amused. “I’d be happy to help y’all.”

  “I don’t want to date anyone,” one woman said. “I just want to know how to use Instagram. Could you teach me how to follow my granddaughters?”

  The woman who first said she wanted to get in on the online dating raised her hand again. “I still want to date, but I’d also like to learn to Facetube or whatever it’s called.”

  Beau was feeling overwhelmed by the women’s enthusiasm, but Ashlee just laughed. Her entire face radiated joy, making her even more beautiful.

  “Okay, y’all,” she said, pulling out her phone, “How about on my next free day we get together to learn the ins and outs of social media. We’ll call it Social Media 101.”

  “What a wonderful idea!” Nana said, giving Ashlee a squeeze around her shoulders. “Once you figure out a time and day, I’ll let the gals know.”

  “Excuse me ladies,” a man said. “I heard y’all talkin’, and I’d like to come too. My grandchildren are all over the country, and I’d like to know how to call them on my iPad so they can see me and I can see them.”

  “Sure,” Ashlee said. “I’ll coordinate with Miss Barbara here and she can let y’all know the details.”

  Before any more potential students signed up for Ashlee’s social media class, Nana steered her away from the table to get in line for the buffet. “I’m sorry, sweetie, but I’m afraid you might have the entire residence show up for your class. Too bad you can’t charge everyone.”

  “I don’t need to get paid, Miss Barbara. I’m happy to help.”

  Beau moved close to Ashlee just as her phone pinged. Soccer Boy was being even more persistent than Darren Hastings. Beau didn’t do social media. He’d certainly never considered using a dating app, but maybe he’d have to rethink things.

  “Do you know that guy?” he asked, pointing to her screen.

  “Yeah, he’s the son of one of my daddy’s golfing buddies.” She tapped on the picture, bringing up Kade Sinclair’s profile. “My goodness, look at all those muscles. He’s changed since the last time I saw him.”

  Resisting the urge to snatch her phone out of her hand, Beau curled his fingers into his palms. “When did you see him last?” he asked evenly.

  She glanced up at him and smiled. “About three years ago, right after he graduated from high school.”

  “He’s younger than you?” Beau asked, relaxing his hands.

  “Yes, but unlike some people I know, age is irrelevant once you’re out of high school.”

  He felt the muscles in his neck go taut as he read the message bubble that popped up next to Kade’s soccer picture.

  Ashlee, you look more beautiful than I remember. I’m in town this weekend for a soccer tournament. Want to hook up?

  “No,” he said, snagging her phone. “You are not going to hook up with him.”

  “Hey,” she protested, trying to get her phone back. “He doesn’t mean it like that.”

  Beau held it out of her reach. “And how do you know that?”

  Her phone pinged, and he glanced at the screen. It was another message from Kade.

  Ha ha, I just realized how that sounded… I don’t want to hook up-hook up, just get together and catch up.

  Ashlee grabbed onto his bicep and leaned in close so she could see the screen too. Beau was so distracted by the close contact he lowered the phone enough that she grabbed it back.

  “Ha! I told you he didn’t mean it like that. Kade’s a nice kid— I mean man.”

  “He is a kid.”

  She opened her mouth to protest, but stopped when Nana turned around to look at them.

  “What are y’all goin’ on about?” Nana asked. “Get a plate. You’re holding up the line.”

  “Sorry, Miss Barbara,” Ashlee said sweetly. “Beau thinks he’s my brother, even though I already have one.”

  “I do not think that,” Beau protested as he picked up two plates and handed Ashlee one of them. If anyone could see the jealousy twisting his gut into a thousand knots, they’d know how false that statement really was. “I just don’t want her going out with a stranger.”

  “He’s not a stranger.” Ashlee stuck her phone into her pocket and served herself a heaping spoonful of baked beans. “And he’s not a kid,” she whispered before moving down the line.

  With his plate filled with decent looking food, Beau glanced around until he spotted the table Ashlee and his grandmother were seated at. Nora was also at the table, along with another woman he didn’t recognize.

  Beau sat in the chair next to Ashlee. Everyone had been listening to the new-comer intently, but paused for introductions to be made.

  “Myra Gilford, I’d like you to meet my grandson, Beau Jacobsen.”

  “Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Gilford,” Beau said, getting to his feet and reaching across the table to shake the woman’s hand.

  “You too,” she said before releasing his hand.

  As soon as he took his seat, Myra finished her story about her granddaughter’s role in an upcoming play on Broadway.

  Since Ashlee was ignoring him again, and he was starving, Beau dug into his food. It wasn’t as good as it looked, but was edible. The women chatted about one subject after another, usually involving one or more grandchild. A few of them asked about Instagram again, and Ashlee showed them how it worked on her phone.

  While she was doing that, Beau pulled his phone out and decided to join the social media world. He told himself it was so he could keep up with his friends and ext
ended family, but deep down he knew it was so he could get some intel on Ashlee’s potential dates.

  He quickly downloaded the Facebook app and created his account. The autofill feature on his phone made the process easy. Since he didn’t want to search through his photos for a decent profile picture, he uploaded a funny Army meme Chase had texted him after he’d been deployed to Afghanistan. It was picture of a group of guys dressed in combat gear with the caption: You play Call of Duty? That’s cute.

  Before Beau could create an Instagram account, a high-pitched screech sounded, effectively silencing the room.

  A woman holding a microphone gently cleared her throat. “I’m so sorry, y’all. I keep forgettin’ to wait until I’m away from the speaker to turn on the mic.” She chuckled and made the mic screech again. “Goodness, I’m so sorry. I just wanted to tell y’all that the DVD player is acting up again so tonight’s movie has been cancelled.”

  “That’s the second time this week,” one of the residents called out.

  “I know, and I do apologize.” The woman smiled brightly. “We’re still working out all the kinks with the new management transition, but in the meantime y’all can join us in the rec room for Bingo. The game starts in fifteen minutes.”

  There were a lot of complaints about the movie being canceled, but quite a few people got up from their tables to go play Bingo, including Myra.

  “Are you goin’ to play, Nana?” Beau asked.

  “No, thank you. I don’t know why everyone thinks old people like Bingo,” Nana said with a huff. “Besides, we need to see about fixin’ my oven and Nora’s faucet.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Beau said, getting to his feet to pull out her chair. “I hope I can fix them.”

  Beau trailed behind all three women as they made their way back to his grandmother’s condo. Ashlee and her stupid dating app were the main topic. His irritation mounted every time Ashlee’s phone chimed an alert. Once they reached his grandmother’s condo, Nora made a suggestion that peaked his frustration.

  She decided it would be fun to help Ashlee find her new boyfriend.

  Chapter 15

  Ashlee shouldn’t gloat every time her phone pinged with a new dating alert, but the reaction from Beau made it hard not to do so. Although he didn’t comment, his body language said it all. Nora’s comments only added to the fun.

  Ashlee sat at the kitchen table with Nora on one side and Miss Barbara on the other so they could help her choose a potential date. Beau sat across from her, searching YouTube for help on how to fix the oven.

  Her phone pinged again, and another photo of a hot looking guy appeared on her screen. Ashlee questioned some of the photos. She could almost swear one of the potential dates had been the same guy from the cover of one of her romance novels. She guessed most of the book covers came from stock photos, which meant Randy’s profile pic was also a stock photo. She’d deleted him, even though Miss Nora had protested vehemently.

  “Oh my,” Miss Nora said, fanning herself. “This one’s nearly as beautiful as you are.”

  “Let me see,” Miss Barbara said, abandoning her grandson to look at Ashlee’s phone screen. She gave a low whistle. “He looks like that movie star that plays Thor.”

  Beau glanced over at them, his jaw tight. “It probably is, and some guy is using the actor’s picture for his profile pic.”

  Ashlee stifled a smile and leaned in to study the picture more closely. He definitely resembled Chris Hemsworth, but Ashlee was a fan of Thor and this guy’s eyes weren’t melt-your-heart blue like the actor who played her favorite avenger. Actually, the guy looked very much like her brother Chase.

  “Nope. I’m a huge fan of Chris and this isn’t him.” She sighed. “As gorgeous as he is, I can’t date him. He looks too much like Chase.”

  “Who’s Chase?” Miss Nora asked. “An old boyfriend?”

  “Nope,” Ashlee said, looking directly at Beau. “He’s my one and only brother.” She wasn’t sure if he heard or not, but then the corner of his mouth twitched and he looked at her briefly before returning his attention to the self-help video.

  “Oh, to be young and beautiful like you are,” Miss Nora said. “I’ll bet none of the men on Twilight Dating are anything like those on Flirt.”

  “Of course they’re not, Nora,” Miss Barbara said. “Ashlee’s in her prime and we’re… well, we’re in our twilight years.”

  Beau pushed his chair back and got to his feet. “Sorry, Nana, but we need to call a professional.” He set his phone on the table and crouched back down to plug the gas range in. “At least you’ll have the stovetop. The burners are working just fine.”

  “Thank you for trying.” Miss Barbara stood up. “Do you have time to look at Nora’s sink?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Beau scooted the oven back against the wall. “I hope I’ll have better luck.”

  “Me too,” Miss Nora said. “But if you can’t, I’ll be hopin’ the plumber I call is a handsome, single man and a few years younger than me.” She scooted back from the table and stood up. “My husband, Leo, was almost ten years older and so healthy I thought he’d outlive me, but he was the first to go.”

  The moment Miss Nora mentioned the age difference with her husband, Ashlee looked at Beau to see if he’d heard. The hard lines on his face told her he had heard every word. All the progress she’d made in the past couple of hours had just been crushed.

  “Nora, age had nothin’ to do with Leo’s death,” Miss Barbara said, shooting a quick look at Beau. “Stage four colon cancer is what took him so early.”

  “I know. I know,” Nora said as the two women started for her condo. “I suppose if the plumber is handsome enough I won’t care how old he is.”

  Ashlee laughed and glanced over at Beau. He obviously didn’t find it as funny. He looked like a fierce soldier about to face the enemy.

  “Don’t,” she said when he met her gaze.

  “Don’t what?” he said, although he had to know what she was talking about.

  “Don’t tell yourself that the reason Miss Nora is a widow is because her husband was older than her. You heard your grandmother. He died of cancer, not old age.”

  “Maybe if he’d been younger he could’ve fought it.”

  Ashlee rolled her eyes. “I’m no expert, but I’m pretty sure that anyone— at any age— that is diagnosed with stage-four colon cancer will die.” She pulled out her phone. “I’ll bet I can google it and prove it to you.”

  He stared at her for several long seconds. Ashlee wanted to march up to him and kiss away the doubt clouding his eyes.

  “Come on,” he said, picking up the tool chest, “let’s head over to Miss Nora’s. We still need to get gas for your car.”

  It wouldn’t do any good to argue with him right now. Maybe she’d have to do a little recon on the statistics of women dying before their spouses, even though they were younger. She had mad skills when it game to Google search.

  They arrived in the kitchen, and Miss Nora showed Beau the problem. The faucet leaked every time she used it. It also seemed to have a separate leak underneath the sink, since there was a steady drip, even with the faucet off.

  While Beau assessed the possible cause, Ashlee helped Miss Nora create her profile for Twilight Dating, the online dating site specifically for seniors. Miss Barbara wasn’t ready to join yet, but was eager to help her friend.

  While the two women searched through Nora’s photos for a profile pic, Ashlee walked over to the sink. “Need any help?”

  Beau crouched down and reached inside the cabinet to shut off the valve to the kitchen sink. “Sure,” he said as the dripping stopped. “Could you empty this for me?” He removed the bowl Miss Nora had placed under the sink to collect the water and handed it to Ashlee.

  “Is it okay if I dump it in the sink or should I empty it outside?”

  “The sink’s okay,” he said. “That way I can see if the drain is part of the problem.”

  “Do you need the bowl aga
in?” Ashlee asked after dumping the water out.

  “Nope.” Beau opened up the metal tool chest and gathered up a few tools. Then he got down on the floor and scooted back under the sink until the lower half of his body was the only part sticking out.

  Nora’s cell phone started ringing, sounding exactly like the old phones her parents had grown up with. “Please excuse me. I forgot my daughter is calling with her flight information.” She started toward the living room. “I’ll be back in just a moment.”

  “Take your time,” Miss Barbara said. “I forgot the pecan pie.” She turned to Ashlee and smiled brightly. “Since the sink is out of use, I’ll rummage around my pantry to see if I have any paper products so we don’t have to worry about dishes.” She took a step backward and winked at Ashlee. “I hope you don’t mind helping Beau if he needs it.”

  It wasn’t really a question, nor did she seem to care for an answer, because Miss Barbara wiggled her eyebrows up and down and then hightailed it out of the kitchen. Ashlee couldn’t be sure, but she felt as if the two older women had vacated the kitchen so she and Beau could be alone together. While she appreciated their help, fixing a kitchen sink wasn’t exactly the best setting for flirting.

  She glanced down where Beau lay under the sink. He had twisted a little to the side and the edge of his T-shirt had ridden up, revealing the smooth, tan skin of his lower back. So maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

  “Hey, Ash,” he called out in a muffled tone. “Will you please hand me the adjustable wrench?”

  “Sure, just as soon as I google it to find out what it looks like.”

  “Uh, it’s not that hard. It’s the tool that you can… adjust.”

  She squatted down, picked up the correct tool and handed it to him. “Just kidding. I’ve helped my daddy a few times.”

  “Thanks.” His fingertips brushed against her skin as he took it from her, sending a tingle of awareness through her.

  “You’re welcome.” She crouched down and peeked inside the cabinet to see him trying to fit the adjustable wrench to a pipe, while simultaneously holding another wrench to the adjoining pipe. The muscles in his biceps bulged with each movement.