Free After Victory: A Searching for Glory Novel (A Second Chance Love Story) by Hunter J. Keane

and I had bags under my eyes. I made a face and then caught Johnny’s reflection over my shoulder.
    “You sure you want to marry this?” I said, running my fingers through my hair to tame the wild tangles.
    “More than anything.” He put his arms around me from behind and kissed my neck. “Every time I look at you, you take my breath away.”
    I sighed and relaxed against him. “You’re going to be late.”
    “Oh well.” He kissed my neck again. “I wish I could stay here with you.”
    “Me too.” I caught his eye in the mirror. “I’ll see you this afternoon.”
    “Not soon enough.” He gave me a proper kiss on the lips and then kissed the top of Jack’s head. The second his truck pulled away, my heart ached to be with him again.
    “Your mama’s got it bad,” I said to Jack who was giggling in my arms. He leaned in and kissed my cheek. “You are just like your daddy. What did I ever do to deserve you Carter boys?”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 
     
     
    CHAPTER NINE
    Kate
    It was Sunday- the only day of the week when I felt like I actually had time to breathe. Denton was always out of the house on Sundays, typically at a friend’s place. That gave me time to get caught up on laundry and grocery shopping. I also usually managed to time everything well enough that I was able to have some personal time just for myself.
    This Sunday was different though. Rather than spend my few precious hours alone cleaning the house or reading the latest book club book, I stopped by my favorite shop to pick up a new dress for my date with Jake. I still couldn’t believe that I was going on a date with Jake Delroy.
    “Kate! How are you?” The woman that owned the shop, Rachel White, waved to me from the register. “It’s been too long.”
    “It has,” I agreed. Rachel and I were not quite friends, but we did hang out in the same social circle. Her oldest son, Maddox, was just a year younger than Denton. “How are the kids?”
    “Good. Real good.” She finished folding the shirt she was holding. “You lookin’ for something special today?”
    I knew that my cheeks were turning pink as I said, “I need something to wear to an art exhibit opening next weekend.”
    “Fancy.” Rachel grinned, noticing my embarrassment. “Hot date?”
    “Just going with a friend,” I said, grateful when the door chimed and another customer entered.
    Rachel was suitably distracted. “Take a look around. Try on anything you like.”
    I hurried away before she realized that I hadn’t told her the complete truth. We lived in a small town and I knew everyone would go crazy with gossiping when they found out about Jake. He was adored by everyone in town and his dating life was already a common topic of conversation.
    “That’s pretty.”
    I had just selected a royal blue dress and was eyeing it unconvincingly. The voice over my shoulder was too familiar.
    “Glory.” I forced a smile as I turned to face her. She was holding her son on her left hip. “I’m not sure blue is my color.”
    “I think you’re wrong about that.” Her smile was warm and friendly. When she smiled like that, I was reminded of the girl I used to skip class with to go shopping at the mall. “I heard you all had quite a night at the bar.”
    “Oh. I was only planning to grab some dinner. The guys insisted I join them.” I felt guilty even though I hadn’t done anything wrong.
    She smiled again. “It’s hard to tell them no. Trust me, I know. Hopefully you weren’t as hungover as Johnny.”
    “It was pretty embarrassing getting a ride home from Mr. Carter,” I admitted.
    “Remind me sometime to tell you about the embarrassing ride home he had to give me,” she said, shifting Jack to her other hip. “Is that dress for your date with Jake?”
    “You heard about that, huh?” I glanced at the dress. It really was quite pretty. “Does this look like an appropriate first date dress?”
    “You should try it on.” She nodded toward the