Eighteen

After landing at DFW Airport’s terminal B, Leiann saw a uniformed man holding a sign with Gerome’s and her names on it. Gerome grabbed her hand, and they made their way toward the man.

“Here we are.” Gerome’s warm baritone voice sounded like music to her ears.

Grandfather had rented a limo to take them to her house. That should draw attention in her suburban neighborhood.

They were soon ensconced in the backseat of a white Town Car headed toward her childhood home.

Leiann gazed up at Gerome. In the close confines of the car, she could see the shadow of dusky hairs barely visible under the skin of his sculpted chin. Probably because of the inky blackness of his hair. For the first time she fully realized the impact of a five o’clock shadow.

❧

“Tell me about your hometown.” Gerome tried to make his tone light.

Leiann chuckled. “There’s not much to tell. It’s just a typical small Texas town. High school football, church activities, shopping at the mall or Wal-Mart.”

He looked out the window. “How soon do we leave this busy freeway behind?”

“We don’t. Hurst is in the middle of the metroplex.” The melody of her laughter filled the car.

He could get used to hearing that laugh.

“Actually, we’re not far from my house.” Her gaze roamed over the passing scenery as if she were memorizing it.

He guessed she would need to return to her roots fairly often. He’d make sure it happened for her.

Gerome put his arm around her. “Will it be hard to return to an empty house?”

Her startled gaze met his. “Oh, the house won’t be empty. My best friend will be waiting for us.”

Gerome looked forward to meeting Leiann’s friend.

When the car stopped against the curb, the door of the house flew open and a young woman sprinted down the sidewalk. She was taller and more athletic than Leiann, with a riot of red corkscrew curls. Gerome opened the door, stepped out, and reached back for Leiann’s hand.

She grabbed hold and scrambled out. The two women shrieked and hugged, dancing around and talking at the same time. Gerome stood to the side, smiling.

When they broke apart, the taller woman quickly assessed him. “So you’re Leiann’s hero.” She gave him a quick hug. “Thank you for saving her.”

Gerome had never experienced such a welcome. So Leiann had called him a hero to her best friend. Interesting.

❧

Leiann felt a blush climb her cheeks. Why did Arlene have to blurt out those words? What in the world would Gerome think? “I want you to meet Arlene Jamison, my best friend since first grade. Arlene, this is Gerome Mays.”

The handshake that followed seemed funny to her, since Arlene had already given him a hug.

Gerome smiled at Arlene. “It’s nice to meet one of Leiann’s friends.”

Arlene returned his smile. “I’ve been wanting to meet you, too.”

Leiann gave Arlene a pointed glance. “Let’s go into the house.” She started up the walk, then turned back to the driver. “Thank you.”

He tipped his hat. “My pleasure, ma’am.”

Gerome helped the man get the bags out of the trunk of the car, then waved him off. Leiann watched, fascinated by the way Gerome always seemed to be in command of any situation.

Arlene linked their arms and leaned close as they walked to the door. “You didn’t tell me how handsome he is.”

Leiann hoped he couldn’t hear the loud whisper. “Yes, he is good looking.”

“So, how long will y’all be here?” Arlene pulled open the storm door, and they entered the house.

“Only long enough to do what we have to.” Leiann stepped into the foyer. Memories of the day the will was read assailed her. But now she knew who she really was. The person God created her to be, no matter what circumstances had occurred in her life.

When they moved into the den, Gerome came through the front door. “So, where can I get a room close by?”

“There are a couple of hotels a few blocks away.” Leiann sat on the edge of the hearth.

“Don’t waste your money,” Arlene said. “I’ll be staying here, so you can, too.”

His eyes sought out Leiann’s, and she nodded.

“All right. Where do I put these bags?”

Leiann glanced down the hallway. “My room is on this side of the house. Why don’t you take the master bedroom? It’s that way.”

“Thanks.” Gerome headed across the den, pulling his bag behind him.

After they unpacked, Leiann changed into cutoffs and a T-shirt. Might as well be comfortable while they went through things.

❧

Gerome liked the homey atmosphere of the bedroom, with windows spread across the rear wall of the house. He opened the drapes, letting in the light. Large trees shaded the backyard and kept the Texas sun from baking the room. After shrugging into jeans and a polo shirt, he started back toward the large room where he’d last seen the women.

Arlene stood by the sink in the kitchen, arranging things on a tray. “I thought y’all might like a little something to eat. I made a pitcher of iced tea, too.” She glanced up at him. “Do you like iced tea?” Her southern drawl sounded more pronounced than Leiann’s.

He nodded. “I always drink a lot of it in the summer when I’m in Texas.”

She led the way to the den. After placing the tray on a low table in front of a comfortably worn, overstuffed couch, she handed him a tall, frosty glass.

Leiann came in from the hall. “Arlene, that looks wonderful.”

So do you. The words came unbidden to his mind. He’d never seen her dressed this casually.

“My throat feels like a west Texas desert.” When Leiann took a long drink, his eyes were drawn to her long, slender neck.

With her hair pulled up on top of her head and fastened with one of those squiggly things, she looked like a teenager.

Leiann turned to him. “I want to get right to work.”

He nodded. “Okay. What do you want me to do?”

“I could use some help packing up all my stuff and Mother’s things. I want to get them out of Arlene’s way. I told her she can live here rent free at least for the next school year.”

Although she didn’t have to explain anything to him, he was glad she kept him in the loop.

❧

After a few hours of packing, Leiann stood and stretched her shoulders. She hadn’t done this much manual labor in a long time, but it felt good to have so much of the work behind her. “Is anyone getting hungry?”

Gerome glanced at his watch. “Is it dinnertime already?”

Arlene laughed. “You’re in Texas now, so you’ll have to use the lingo. We have dinner at noon and supper at night.”

He smiled. “Got it.”

“Where do we want to go for supper?” Leiann stopped to think. “How about Abuelo’s? I’ve been missing their enchiladas.”

“Sorry, no can do.” Arlene shook her head. “I’ve got a committee meeting in an hour. I’ll just grab something on the way.”

Leiann turned to Gerome. “How about you?”

“Sure. I like Mexican food.”

Something else she didn’t know about him. Leiann wished she knew more about his likes and dislikes. Everything about him interested her. . .too much. She wasn’t sure he felt the same way about her.

After they changed clothes, Leiann drove her Kia the few short blocks to the restaurant. Several people clustered near the entrance. She knew how popular this place was, but it was Monday. She hadn’t expected a long wait.

Gerome approached the hostess stand. “Mays, a party of two.” He held up two fingers.

The petite blond smiled up at him, curly hair falling onto her shoulders. “You’re in luck, sir. All these other parties are waiting for large tables. We have a table for two beside the fountain if that’s all right.”

He nodded. While the woman led the way, Gerome’s hand rested on the small of Leiann’s back. Every woman in the room seemed to give him an appreciative glance. The man had a commanding presence.

“What do you recommend?” Gerome peered at her over the top of the large leather-bound menu.

“I haven’t eaten anything here that wasn’t good. One of my favorites is the avocado enchilada. I’m having that. You might try one of the combo platters. That way you can taste a variety of things.”

As they enjoyed their meal, they learned more about each other and their growing-up years. Gerome even answered a few questions about his job with the security company without revealing anything confidential.

Gerome insisted that the waiter give him the check. To Leiann, that made this feel like a date.

They stepped out into the warm Texas evening. Blossoms in the courtyard and flower beds outside the walls gave a heady fragrance to the still air.

“May I drive back to the house?” Gerome’s soft words caressed her.

This makes it feel even more like a date. She dug in her tiny purse and pulled out the keys, then dropped them into his outstretched palm. They stepped into the shadowy darkness on the side of the building where she’d parked.

Her heel caught in a crack of the sidewalk, and she pitched forward. Gerome’s arms slid around her, and he pulled her close to his chest. Breathless, she glanced up at the shaded planes of his sculptured cheeks. His eyes burned bright. Mesmerized, she watched his face descend toward hers.

His lips settled gently on hers, almost like the touch of a butterfly’s wings. Then they lifted and hovered, waiting for her response. When she didn’t pull away, they settled more firmly. Leiann had only been kissed a couple of times in high school. Those kisses were nothing like this. So gentle, giving, and all-consuming.

She returned the caress, pouring all her longings into it. Everything else faded away. This moment in time was a fusing of two hearts. She wanted it to go on forever.

❧

Gerome finally ended the kiss and urged her closer to his chest. He loved this woman. Lord, thank You for showing me. Their hearts beat in rhythm. He rested his chin on the top of her head, breathing in the scent that would always be Leiann. His world had made a paradigm shift. For the first time in his life, he wanted to settle down. Be a husband to this woman. Have children with her.

Leiann raised her head from his chest, but she kept her arms around his waist. “We’re standing out here in public right next to Hurst City Hall.”

He laughed. “We’re in the shadows, and I don’t think anyone is looking anyway.” Holding her felt so good, he didn’t want to release her.

“Maybe we should go home.” Her whisper mingled with the gentle breeze that rustled the leaves of the shrubbery beside the restaurant.

Home. Anywhere with this woman would be home to him. “Okay.”

While they walked the few feet to the car, he kept one arm around her. One of hers remained along his waist. In the vehicle, they talked about everything and nothing, but they didn’t discuss the kiss and what it would mean to them.

When they drove into the driveway, Gerome was glad to see that Arlene hadn’t returned from her meeting. He wanted to talk with Leiann face-to-face.

After they went into the house, Leiann stood in the middle of the den, staring up at him. “Would you like a soda or some coffee or something?”

Gerome was glad they were a few feet apart. With her too close, he couldn’t think straight. “No, thanks. Leiann, I have something to talk to you about.”

Her eyes widened slightly, and she nodded.

“I have to tell you what I’m feeling.”

She clasped her hands and waited, her sense of expectancy a tangible thing.

He ran a hand across the back of his neck. “I’ve never done this before.”

A smile crept over her lips.

“Leiann, I’ve prayed about this, and I believe God brought us together.”

Her smile widened.

“What I’m trying to say is that I love you and want to marry you. . .if you’ll have me.”

She walked toward him, then raised her arms and slid them around his neck, pulling his head down. “Yes.” She whispered the word before she wove her fingers through his curls and kissed him. That powerful kiss spoke her love to his heart.