Ben checked the chicken in the oven. The doorbell sounded and Avery and Dakota both bolted toward the door.
“Hey, wait up.” Ben jogged behind them.
Dakota swung the door open as Ben slid around the corner. Jenna flashed a smile, distracting him momentarily. He cleared his throat, but Avery drowned him out.
“We got a new house.” Avery grabbed Jenna’s hand and pulled her inside. “Do you like it?”
Jenna bent to look into Avery’s eyes. “I do like it. Do you like it?”
“Yep. I got a new big girl room and bed.”
“Really? How about you, Dakota? What do you think?” Jenna looked his way.
Dakota nodded. “I like it, too. Daddy says maybe we can build a treehouse in the backyard. Won’t that be fun?”
“Yes. I love treehouses.” Jenna glanced at Ben.
The delight in her eyes sped his pulse up to double-time. He admired the jeans and sweater hugging her slender body. Ben shook his head and averted his eyes. The tangy aroma of burning barbecue reminded him of the chicken still in the oven. “Oh, man!” He whirled around and sprinted to the kitchen, opening the oven door. Smoke swirled out. He snatched an oven mitt and pulled the pan out, setting it on the stove top.
He fanned the smoke from the oven and slid over to open the sliding glass door. A shrill buzz screamed from the fire alarm above the counter. He raced back under the alarm and fanned the smoke away from it. The annoying screech continued. Ben climbed atop a stool and yanked the battery out. He sank down onto the stool, catching his breath.
Avery stood at his knee, hands clasped over her ears. “Daddy, that was really loud.”
Jenna stepped up behind Avery. “Are you okay? You didn’t burn yourself, did you?”
Ben sighed. “Nope. I wasn’t trying to go for blackened chicken.”
Jenna pressed her lips together, visibly suppressing a grin.
“Daddy’s not really gotten the hang of cooking yet.” Dakota spoke matter-of-factly.
Ben hit the oven mitt on his leg and burst out laughing, Jenna joining him. He tousled Dakota’s hair. “You are right about that, buddy.” He jumped to his feet and reached for the kitchen land line. “I know what kind of pizza these guys like. What about you, Miss Jenna?”
“Anything except anchovies I’m good with.”
“Anshowies? What’s that?” Avery wrinkled her little nose.
Ben chuckled. “Anchovies are little fish.”
Avery’s eyes bulged. “Ew.”
Jenna shrugged. “I know, right?”
Ben caught her gaze. “I’m really sorry about supper. Not much of an impression.”
“I don’t think any less of you.” Her cheeks reddened.
“That’s good.” He clapped his hands together and scanned the little group. “I’ll order the pizza and go pick it up. You two will be in charge of entertaining Miss Jenna until I get back. Can I trust you?”
Both children saluted him. “Yes, sir,” they called out. Each grasped one of Jenna’s hands, pulling her into the living room.
When he returned from picking up the pizza, the threesome were engaged in a cutthroat game of Hungry Hippos. Jenna crouched at the coffee table, and her playing with his children seemed so natural. He pulled his gaze from the scene and set up the dining table then called them over.
“So, what’s left for the festival?”
Jenna wiped her mouth with her napkin. “Well, I think I have all of the volunteers covering the game stations except for a couple. Finally got all of the cakes for the cake-walk. I could use another judge for the pumpkin carving and costumes?” She gazed at him expectantly.
“I could probably handle that. Count me in. Sounds like fun.”
Her eyes danced and a smile spread. “Thanks.”
“Daddy, what about our costumes?” Dakota’s face turned into a mixture of concern and question.
Ben scratched his head. “Hmm, I hadn’t thought about that. Conflict of interest?” He studied Jenna’s face.
She pursed her lips as if in deep thought. “Maybe your parents could help them?”
He feigned a slap on his forehead. “Of course. They were going to come with us anyway. They can escort the kids, and I’ll play judge.”
Avery clapped her hands. “Yay! Daddy’s a judge!”
They all laughed.
Jenna’s laugh and the sparkle in in her eyes touched him in a place deep inside he hadn’t felt in a little while. He wasn’t sure if he should embrace it or resist it.
Jenna stood and carried plates and empty pizza boxes around the counter to the kitchen. The kids stuck to her like a magnet to metal. He chuckled to himself.
He glanced at his watch. “Okay. It is now time for all good children to get ready for bed so we won’t be late for church tomorrow.”
“Aww, Daaaddyyy.” The two whined in unison.
“I’ll have to be going too. We all have to be ready for church tomorrow.” Jenna tweaked both noses.
Ben’s chest tightened. “Can you stay until they get settled?”
She looked him in the eyes and nodded.
“I know. She can help,” Avery announced proudly.
Ben shrugged. “Baths are done. We had to do that after playing outside today and before Miss Jenna arrived. We just have to bolt them to their beds.” He winked at Jenna.
Avery crossed her little arms over her chest. “You don’t boat us in our beds.” She rolled her eyes.
Ben tousled her hair. “Let’s show Miss Jenna how we do our prayers, then.”
Avery nodded emphatically and snatched Jenna’s hand. The four marched up the steps and into Avery’s room first. Dakota detoured into his bedroom.
Jenna knelt down next to Avery’s bed and his little girl wrapped her arms around her neck. “I love you.”
Jenna patted her back. “I love you, too.” Her voice was filled with emotion.
When Avery let go and stepped back, Jenna’s gaze met his. Her eyes glistened and she blinked a couple of times.
After prayers and a thorough tucking in, they proceeded to Dakota’s room. He already lay in the bed with the covers pulled to his waist. “Miss Jenna, thanks for playing the game with me.” He cupped his hand near his mouth and lowered his voice. “And, thanks for not caring about having pizza instead of chicken.”
Jenna nodded and put her thumb up. “You got it, dude.”
As they started down the steps, Jenna’s hand brushed his, and he slid his hand around hers, holding it. He led her to the sofa and they sat down.
“Thanks.”
“For what?” Her brow scrunched right between her eyes.
“For being here with us.” He raised her hand to his lips and planted a quick peck. Now was his moment to be magnetically attracted to this woman. He leaned in and kissed her lips, lingering long enough to feel their softness and warmth. Heat radiated through his chest and up his neck. “Next time, I’ll take you out for dinner, just the big people.”
“Oh, I don’t mind. I love being around Avery and Dakota.”
“I know. But, I would really like some time with you and me.” He tucked a strand of her hair away from her face.
Did she shudder at his touch? His heart raced double-time.
“I guess I should go. I don’t want to have to drive at an accelerated rate of speed.” She grinned with a hint of mischief in her expression.
He walked her to her car and couldn’t resist one more kiss. As his mouth contacted with hers, she pressed closer, laying her hand on his chest. She would surely detect the pounding of his pulse, but he didn’t care. He wrapped his arms around her waist and massaged his hand up her back. She emitted a low almost undetectable moan in response, leaning in even closer.
With her body pressed against his, a surge of desire rushed up inside of him. All of the sudden, Alyssa’s face flashed in his mind. He inched back gently, looking her in the eyes.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Jenna caressed his cheek and then turned, opening her car door.
Did she sense something? He didn’t want to hurt her. She was the only other woman he had ever sensed those desire-type feelings for. But would he always deal with Alyssa’s face coming to mind?
“Be careful.”
She nodded and backed out of the driveway. He waved as she drove away.
Ben heaved a heavy sigh and rubbed his hand down his face.
* * *
Jenna entered her apartment and eased the door closed, leaning against it. This giddiness was a bit unbecoming for a grown woman. But Ben brought it out in her.
“I guess I don’t need to ask if you had a good time.” Shawna chuckled and plunked onto the sofa. She patted the spot next to her. “Tell me about it?”
Jenna joined her. “I did have a great time. Do you know he tried to make me supper but it burned?” She bit her bottom lip.
“That’s priceless. What’s the brow creases mean?”
“I don’t know, Shawna. I am attracted to him. And I even adore his kids.”
“But?”
“But I feel in competition with his wife.”
“Why? Does he talk about her?”
“No, not at all. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s like there’s just that something in between us. I think it’s her. Or his memory of her.”
“Maybe you need to talk to him about it.” Shawna shrugged.
“I suppose. Of course, I need to see how serious he is. I mean, he hasn’t actually told me he wants a relationship.” She sighed. “He did say he wanted some time for the two of us.”
Shawna shoved her shoulder. “I don’t have to guess as to whether you want to be in a relationship with him or not. Those swooning eyes say it all.”
Jenna winced. “I’m that transparent, aren’t I?”
Her friend pursed her lips. “Pretty much. He must have left an impression on you tonight the way I found you when you came in.”
Jenna giggled and patted Shawna’s leg. “He’s a good kisser.”
Shawna’s eyes widened. “Really?”
Jenna nodded. “Oh, yeah.”