Authors: Diane Craver
But the best part was when she looked at Jack, she felt no guilt about going out with someone other than Rob. Maybe she was starting to heal from a broken heart.
He flashed her a grin. “Do I pass inspection?”
She laughed. “Sorry about the staring. And yes, you do.”
“You had me worried there for a moment. I thought maybe you were thinking you’d rather your dinner date was with Ben. He seems like a nice guy, but I’m nicer.” He winked and grinned.
As they walked to his car, she said, “That’s something you’re a pilot. Do you own a plane?”
He opened the car door for her. “No, but my dad has one I use. I’ll be happy to get it if you ever want to go flying, but I remember you said you hated flying.”
Once on the road, she told him about the skydiving her sisters had wanted her to do.
“I’ve gone skydiving. If you want to try it, I’ll go with you.” After he stopped at a red light, Jack glanced at her. “But I’m surprised at your sisters for wanting you to go since you hate heights.”
“They were thinking more about the fact that a lot of eligible men go skydiving.”
He turned and smiled at her. “I hope they’ll quit playing matchmaking now.”
She nodded. “Me too. Also I got them busy thinking about starting a business together. Not just because I wanted them to stop trying to fix me up, but I need something to do now that I’m not taking care of my mom.”
Maybe she should’ve phrased it differently, so it didn’t sound like she only wanted to work to fill time. If she was careful with the money from Rob’s big life insurance policy and her parents’ inheritance, she never had to work again for money. Jack might realize she’d received money after Rob’s death and could take her time in choosing what to do next.
On the remainder of the drive to the restaurant, Whitney told him about some of the businesses they’d been considering and how she wanted to do a television talk show.
She sighed. “I thought we were all committed to our TV business plan, but Shannon had a change of heart. She decided it might be too much for us to attempt and wants us to think about doing an online business.”
He stopped in front of the restaurant. “Starting a TV program would be a perfect choice for you. I don’t know your sisters, but since you feel in your gut it’s the right business for all of you, then go for it.”
“Now I just need to convince them again.” Tomorrow she planned on talking to Shannon and Regan after church. Hopefully, they’d want to do a television show when they heard that Cora’s show might be available for their use.
* * *
While they ate their dinner, Jack thought how glad he was he’d met Whitney. She was beautiful, smart, funny, and sweet.
“This prime rib’s delicious.” Whitney looked up at him after cutting a piece of meat. “So do you have any siblings?”
“I have a twin sister, Jessica.”
“That’s so cool. Do you look alike besides the fact you aren’t the same gender?”
“Well, it’s obvious that we’re brother and sister. People just get thrown sometimes because we look the same age, and they expect one of us to be older or younger. Her hair is blonde instead and she has natural curly hair. She also has blue eyes.”
“If we do a TV program, maybe we can have a segment about twins. Does your sister live nearby?”
“Jessica lived in Cornett until she got married a year ago. They moved to Dayton so she’s not too far.” He stabbed a piece of broccoli with his fork. “She’s a little shy so I don’t know if she’d want to be on your show.”
“Is she in the medical profession too?”
“No, she gets squeamish around blood. She’s the artistic one in the family. She’s a sculptor. My parents and I are pretty excited because Jessica’s pregnant. It’ll be fun having a baby in the family.”
“Rob and I never had any kids. I wish we would’ve had a baby.”
A shadow of disappointment crossed her face. He remembered Rob mentioning they wanted children someday. Jack put his hand over hers. “I’m sorry you and Rob never had enough time together to have children.”
She gave him a small smile. “I do get to babysit for Lily. She’s Regan’s and Casey’s little daughter. She’s a great kid and I love spending time with her.”
“I saw Lily with Casey at a fundraiser. She’s cute.”
“Shannon has two wonderful kids, Caitlyn and Brandon. Caitlyn’s in high school and Brandon’s in junior high.” She sipped her wine. “I can see you as an uncle. You’ll probably spoil your niece or nephew.”
“You’ll have to give me some pointers since you’re an experienced aunt.”
“I’ll try. I was in New York when my nieces and nephew were babies, so I didn’t see them as much as I do now.”
He laughed. “Since I don’t know anything about babies, I’m sure you’ll be able to teach me a lot.”
“So would you like to have your own kids someday?”
He nodded. “Hopefully, I won’t be too senile to enjoy them.”
“How old are you?”
“I’m thirty-one.” He saw her surprised look at his age. “Am I too old for you?”
“I guess not since I’m thirty-one. I can’t believe we’re the same age. When’s your birthday?”
“January. When’s yours?”
“November, so I’m older. How do you feel about seeing me again since I’m an older woman?”
Man, he loved what just came out of her sexy mouth. Whitney wanted to see him again. “Not a problem.” He grinned. “You look great for your advanced age.”
She touched the glass globe over their table candle. “Eating by candlelight helps. And I’m sure I look better tonight than when you first met me. I’m glad I didn’t get sick in the helicopter.”
“You were beautiful even with a bruised and bleeding face. I thought you were sweet when you defended Ben and said it wasn’t his fault you fell.” Shit, why did he have to mention Ben? He wanted Whitney to only think about him. He didn’t mind some competition, but Ben already had an advantage over him. He had Adam and Whitney loved kids. Maybe he could get Jessica to talk her husband into moving back to Cornett. Whenever he watched the baby, he bet Whitney would love to help him.
“I don’t know if Ben thought I was sweet the other day when I mentioned appearing on my old TV station to talk about my date with him. My friend and former co-worker had an idea for a segment about the worst first dates.”
He raised his eyebrows. “I’m glad I was the one taking you to the hospital.”
She then explained to him the only reason she might do the feature for
The Bold News
and again on hers, but she hadn’t made plans to do it. Obviously her television show might never happen, and she wasn’t keen on hurting Ben’s feelings for her gain.
He kept his eyes on her lips as she talked, realizing how much he wanted to kiss her. Jack couldn’t help himself because he was crazy about Whitney.
“Hey, Jack. You didn’t answer me.”
What had he missed? Had she asked if she should do the worst first date thing for
The Bold News
? “Sorry, I didn’t realize you were asking me what you should do. It’s up to you.”
“I knew I lost you.” She chuckled. “I said how I threatened my sisters with having a girls’ band because I’ve had a secret desire to be a drummer. I’ll be nice and repeat my question. What is your secret desire? Is there anything you’ve always wanted to do?”
“I can’t believe I missed part of your conversation. Sorry.”
She took a bite of her roll. “Maybe a talk show isn’t a good choice. I must be boring as a conversationalist since I lost my audience. Or you are stalling for time to avoid telling me your secret?”
“I’d like to be the lead singer for your band.”
She shook her head. “No fair. You just now made that up.”
Jack nodded and swirled his fork through his mashed potatoes. “Okay, I’ll tell you. I
do
have a dream. I’d like to have a kids’ camp with the emphasis on horseback riding.”
“That’s a cool idea,” Whitney said. “I like it.”
“Did you ever go riding?”
“While I was growing up, we visited our cousins in the summer and went riding on their horses. Regan and I thought it was fun, but Shannon wasn’t too keen on riding. We learned to saddle up ourselves. I even cleaned out stalls.”
He grinned. “I might have to hire you to help with my camp.”
After they left the restaurant and were outside, Jack stopped Whitney by a water fountain. He gently gripped her elbow and turned her to face him, and her smile stole his breath. The lights in the fountain twinkled in her green eyes. She was a knockout in her sexy dress. The hemline stopped a few inches above her knees, showing off her long, tanned legs.
“What?” she asked.
“I’ve wanted to kiss you all evening.” He saw her green eyes brightened with pleasure.
She gave him a wide smile. “I love the sound of running water, so this is a perfect spot for our first kiss.”
He crushed her to him and his mouth swooped down to capture hers. Currents of desire raced through him as Whitney gave herself freely to the fervor of his kiss. He could kiss Whitney’s full lips all night. When he raised his lips from hers, he gazed into her eyes and felt happiness in seeing warmth and intensity there.
In a breathless soft voice, she said, “How about another kiss for the road?”
While he did exactly what the lady wanted, Jack wondered how much it’d cost to get a fountain installed in his backyard.
“I’m glad we decided to do this,” Whitney said. When she’d mentioned they should all go out to brunch together after church, everyone had liked her suggestion.
“We should do this every Sunday,” Shannon said, glancing around the round table. “I love their stuffed cinnamon toast.”
Caitlyn, seated next to Lily, leaned over to speak to her little cousin. “What’s wrong? Don’t you like what you ordered?”
Lily pointed at Brandon. “He took my sausage.”
“Brandon, shame on you,” Shannon said. “You shouldn’t have taken Lily’s food.”
In an indignant voice, he said, “I asked first and she wasn’t eating it.”
Lily pouted. “I want it back.”
Brandon frowned at Lily. “How can I give it back to you when it’s in my belly?”
“I don’t have any sausage, but how about I give you a bacon strip instead?” Whitney asked. “It’s nice and crispy.”
“If she doesn’t want it, I’ll take it,” Brandon said.
Shannon’s jaw tightened. “Brandon, be quiet.”
He shrugged. “Sorry. I’m a growing boy.”
At Lily’s nod, Whitney walked around the table and gave her the bacon.
“I like your bracelet,” Caitlyn said, putting her cell phone down on the table.
“Thank you,” Lily said after she swallowed a bite of bacon. “Daddy’s girlfriend gave it to me.”
“Lily, Anna’s not your daddy’s girlfriend,” Regan snapped. “She works with him.”
Casey put his arm around Regan. “Honey, your mommy is my girlfriend.”
Lily shook her head. “Mommy’s your wife.”
Tim looked at Casey, laughing. “She’s got you there.”
“Would anyone like refills on your coffee?” Their waitress smiled at them.
Whitney and the other adults answered, “Yes, please.”
While the waitress refilled their cups, Whitney glanced at Brandon, noticing how much he resembled pictures of her tall and handsome dad when he was a young man. Blonde haired Caitlyn, wearing an aqua blouse with a ruffled neckline and a white skirt, looked a lot like Shannon.
Regan said, “Anna didn’t go out and buy Lily the bracelet. She makes candles and jewelry. She also gave me a candle.”
Casey removed his arm and stirred cream in his coffee. “You know, Shannon, you and Anna should get together and go to some craft shows. You can take your soaps to sell.”
Whitney saw Regan roll her eyes at Casey’s comments. Obviously, hearing about Anna again wasn’t making her sister’s day.
“Don’t give Shannon any more ideas,” Tim said.
“Casey, where have you been?” Shannon raised her eyebrows at her brother-in-law. “I gave up the soap business.”
Whitney said, “None of us will have time to go to craft shows unless we decide to have a segment for our talk show, or our online magazine. I know we’re going to have another business discussion tomorrow morning, but I can’t wait to tell you what Ben told me Friday night.”
“Don’t tell me that the wonderful Ben thought of another business to have you visit,” Casey said in a sarcastic tone. “That turned out well.”
“Hey, it wasn’t all bad. I saw Jack in action as a paramedic,” Whitney said to Casey.
“What is it?” Regan asked.
“Ben knows a local TV cable show that needs help.” She hoped her sisters would be interested in seeing if they could help Cora with her show. In a rush of words, she told them what Ben had learned about Cora’s health condition.
“We definitely should consider a talk show if Cora’s interested in us filling in for her,” Shannon said. “More importantly, if the
network
is interested. It almost sounds too good to be true.”