Free Summertime Dream by Babette James

favorite mix of light jazz playing in the background of their rambling conversation, and lazy winding drive through the countryside until the evening was deep and dark. Being with Margie was so easy. He hadn’t had such a good evening out in a long time, maybe ever.
    Maybe because tonight wasn’t a real date and they were simply being themselves.
    Most of his dates he’d met through business, and the nights out with those bright, career-focused women were less than romantic encounters and more like mini conferences, all career talk and info gathering and one-night-stand expectations. Wanting to take them up on more than one date was rare. He wanted…something more.
    Maybe because this is about to be something more.
    No. He wasn’t looking to find someone. And definitely not here. Well, he wasn’t against finding someone. And since his dad had passed, seeing his mom deal with her life alone had lately made him consider the lack of a special someone in his own life. Only, making more out of this with Margie, however tempting, was impossible, no matter how pleasant a time he was having, because he was out of here on Sunday and he wouldn’t be coming back. This town was in the middle of nowhere. She was too young...
    But those kisses...
    No, no more kisses.
    The evening grew late and, as much as he’d like to drive and talk with her all night, he should be getting her home. “So, plans for tomorrow?”
    “Dad and Joe will load the ladders on the truck for me and we’ll have tools. I’ll meet you at the house.”
    “Tell them thanks for me. I really appreciate the help. What time?”
    “I recommend early, maybe seven, so we get a cool start. You okay with that?”
    “Perfect. I’m a morning person. Up with the birds. Coffee or tea?”
    “Coffee or I can’t start my day. I’ll bring us some.”
    He winked. “I knew there was a reason I liked you.”
    On arriving back at Margie’s home, he parked at the curb and turned off the engine. Nocturnal creaks and shrills of insects filled the dark. A dog barked somewhere in the neighborhood. The tranquil, deep night, empty of city sounds, reminded him again of nights at Mohave and the restful peace he found there.
    Now, to say goodnight. He walked around and opened her door. This wasn’t a date. He was going to keep his hands to himself and he wouldn’t kiss her.
    Best laid plans...
    She caught his hand in hers and kissed his cheek. “I had a wonderful day. Thanks!”
    From that innocent touch, his resolve shattered, and sliding his hand over her silky, wind-tangled curls and touching his mouth down onto those soft smiling lips of hers was as simple as his next breath. And as necessary.
    She slipped her arms around him, her body pliant against his, and her welcoming sigh erased his last glimmer of restraint. Savoring her lips, tracing the seam of her mouth, brushing and tasting, relaxed and curious, coaxing her to open to him, taking it slow, long, and easy.
    So much for remembering he was leaving on Sunday.
    He released her slowly, his body unwilling to face facts and accept the end of their evening. “Thanks for the great night. I’ll walk you to the door.”

Chapter Four
    Christopher walked into the motel office at 6:30 a.m., just as the coffee pot stopped gurgling.
    Mrs. Dobbs waved from the reception desk. “Good morning, sunshine! You’re up early. Coffee’s ready for you.”
    “Thanks, Mrs. Dobbs. I’m heading over to work on the house today.” He poured his coffee and added the milk, pleased she offered real milk instead of the ubiquitous packets of non-dairy creamer.
    “Good idea to start early while the day’s cool. Have a nice meal at Tootsie’s last night with Margie Olsson?”
    How did she know? “Uh, yes. Very nice.”
    “Tootsie’s my cousin. You just missed her stopping by for donuts.”
    Ah, right. Small town grapevine. On the other hand, this was his third morning here and he already knew more people in this town than he did in his