Free One Thursday Morning: Inspirational Christian Romance (Diamond Lake Series Book 1) by T.K. Chapin

couple of words, while other times, I was late getting to school because we talked the whole time. He gave me his time, whether I wanted it or not . . .” Charlie pulled out the pocket watch I saw him with that first day at the inn and became choked up again as he smoothed his thumb over an etched train that was on the cover of it. “He was a good dad and gave me his time freely. I’ve struggled so hard with the loss of him, Amy.” He turned to me with tear-filled eyes. “Jody found a buyer for the boat. A guy from Coeur d'Alene is coming to look at it here in a few days or so.” He put the pocket watch back into his pocket.
    “You okay?” I asked, reaching out and grasping onto his hand.
    He shrugged and looked out toward the water. “I don’t really have an option, do I?”
    Shaking my head slowly, I said, “I guess not.”
    He wiped the tears from his eyes and peered over his shoulder, back toward the path leading back up alongside the house. “I need to go punch the clock for a few hours on this project I’m working on at work.”
    “Okay,” I replied. “What were you doing here?”
    “I always come down to the lake to clear my head. The water brings my soul a peace and calmness I can’t find anywhere else.”
    I smiled. “I understand that.”
    He stepped closer to me and pushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear as he smiled and looked into my eyes. He looked happy again. It was if all that pain over the loss of his father faded, if only for that brief moment in time. Leaning in, he kissed me gently. Warmth came rushing through my lips and took over my body, pushing out the worry, sadness, and hurt that had been plaguing me that morning. Though we both had heartaches, we were two souls, completely vulnerable to one another. What we had dampened the pains of life, and each other’s company brought comfort to our souls and peace to our minds.
    His hand framed my face as we continued to kiss, each moment better than the last. Kissing on my neck, his hands slid down my sides and to my hips. I brought my arms up around his neck as his lips worked their way further down my neckline. Charlie’s affection for me reached into my soul and reinvigorated a part of me that I had lost. I dropped my head back, and his lips trailed up my neck and toward my face until I tipped my chin to him and his lips found mine.
    Looking deep into his eyes as I pulled back from our kiss, I saw love. Waves of warmth continued to push through me, and I leaned in again, letting myself fall further into his existence.
     

     
    Stopping in at Dixie’s Diner on the way back home to pick up my check, I saw Diego and Miley chatting a bit more than usual. Curious, I went over to them. Diego was talking about barbecuing a bunch of food and inviting almost half the town over to his home. That could be fun for Charlie and me, I thought.
    “What’s up, guys?” I asked.
    Diego tipped his chin. “Barbecue at my house tonight. My wife wants to see these pretty girls I’m working with.” He laughed. “She thinks you two are a threat to her.”
    I let out a laugh. “She’s that kind of gal, huh?”
    He nodded slowly. “She’s a sweet, sweet woman, but insecure to a fault. It will be a fine time. Burgers, hot dogs, that kind of thing.”
    “Sounds good. What time?” I asked.
    “Seven.”
    “Bring your boyfriend,” Miley added sarcastically.
    I went flush. “Shut it, Miley,” I scolded. Diego let out a laugh and turned to pull burgers from the grill. Miley grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the window to talk to me near the server station.
    “Tell me how the date went with him.” Her eyes were wide with excitement to hear the details.
    I smiled. “It was good. ”
    “Good how? What happened? Don’t be a brat. Details!” She leaned a hand on the server station.
    “We kissed and things got . . . Very heated.”
    She shoved my shoulder back and said, “Shut up!” Smiling, Miley said, “So the shy and quiet girl