Free Finding Love in Payton by Shelley Galloway

good."
    "Sometimes a lot of things are good," Payton replied with a disgruntled look. "Doesn't mean you have
to do them."
    Talking to Payton was like talking to a wall. As
deftly as he could, Jeremy excused himself to make
the rounds around the area, offering water and tea to
the ladies at table seven who just finished golfing.
    Of course, that led to conversation about his parents,
his sister's baby, and his new job. He was just finishing his rounds when Dinah wandered in, looking determined. Just the sight of her made his afternoon a
little bit brighter.
    He ambled over to her. "Hi. What brings you here?"
    She gazed at him, her brown eyes wide and cautious, and for a minute he thought she was going to
turn right back around. Especially when it became evident that the golfing ladies were more than eager to
eavesdrop on every word.
    "Let's go over here," he murmured, setting the
pitcher of water down on an empty table and guiding
Dinah toward the sliding glass doors that led to the
patio. "I'm taking a five minute break," he called out
to Payton, who nodded right back.
    As soon as they were outside, he seated himself
across from her at a wrought-iron table. "What's up?"
    Dinah bit her lip. "I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking, coming here while you were working."
She paused for breath, then looked even more confused. "Why are you working, by the way? I thought
you were going home."

    "I left The Mill in such a hurry I forgot that I didn't
have a car. Thought I'd put in a few hours and then
get a ride home with Payton or Priscilla."
    She nodded her understanding, though she did look
completely preoccupied. "Oh."
    He waited again, glanced through the glass door to
make sure nothing out of the ordinary was happening.
"Did you need something?"
    She leaned forward, the ends of her hair falling toward her jaw. "Actually, no. I mean, I was wanting
something. I mean I'd liike ..." Her voice drifted off,
in sync with the color rising in her cheeks.
    Immediately, worry set in. "Is something wrong
with Bryan? Is that why he's not here?"
    "Oh no. He's with Joanne and Mary Beth, actually."
She flashed a smile. "I'm trying to ask you something,
and I'm embarrassed to say it's a little hard in coming."
    Wearily Jeremy waited. She was probably going to
tell him to leave her alone. That she didn't need to
have to worry about him making calves' eyes at her.
He steeled himself to look completely at ease, like he
got rejected all the time. "Just say it, then," he coaxed.
"That's usually the best way."
    "I guess so. Well, all right, then. Would you like to come over next Saturday night for dinner?" she asked
quickly.

    He was completely taken aback. She was asking
him out? To her house for dinner? It took all the control he had to not stand up and cheer. "Sure," he said
as easily as possible. "That sounds really nice."
    "Bryan will be there."
    Where else would he be? "I hope so."
    She smiled then, perking her face up and making
him grin in return. "I thought we could grill steaks."
    "Steaks sound great."
    "And potatoes. Salad, too."
    He couldn't resist any longer. Reaching out, he
clasped one of the hands that gripped the edge of the
table and enfolded it in his own. "Anything you do
would make me happy."
    Brown eyes darkened, looking almost black. He
could stare at them forever. Because she looked in
need of further coaxing, he added, "Really."
    "You're not just saying that?"
    "I'm not just saying that," he replied. "Thank you
for inviting me."
    Dinah let out a deep breath. "I was a little nervous.
I was afraid you'd say no."
    "I didn't," he said lightly, though he knew he'd
would never deny her anything. For a brief moment
he wondered if he was in love with her. Was that what
love was like? Did it just sneak up on a person, mak ing him want to do anything for a woman, just to see
her smile?

    He slid his fingers through her own, taking a minute
to notice the difference between their two hands