Free Under His Roof by Sadey Quinn Page B

she is excited to see me. I’m sure of it.
     

~7~
    Rachel
     
    When I get to his house my stomach is full of butterflies. I have never been this nervous about a date in my life. What is it about David that is making me so crazy? He’s outside on his porch, reading a book, and he looks very casual. Jeans, t-shirt, socks. I’m glad I decided to change before leaving work. I bought a cotton turquoise dress last week and it’s perfect. Casual and sexy.
    He looks happy to see me and I think he seems a little nervous.
    “Hey,” I say.
    “Hey yourself. Welcome back.”
    I pause as I think of the first time I made this walk from my car to his porch and then into his house. To discuss the impending discipline session. “Thanks,” is all I can manage to say.
    “You’re earlier than I expected.”
    Shoot! I was so excited to see him that I left work early. Did arriving early make me seem too eager?
    “Got sick of being at work,” I say.
    “Have a seat,” he says, patting the padded bench next to him.
    I do, and his golden retriever meanders up to say hello. “What’s his name?”
    “Sparky.”
    “Seems like a good dog.”
    “The best.”
    “I’m sorry if I’m too early.”
    “Not at all. I’m glad you’re here.”
    Ah, relief . I relax into the bench and he puts his arm around my shoulder and gives me a comforting squeeze. “Are you as nervous as I am?” he asks.
    I grin. “Thanks for bringing it out in the open.”
    “No problem. I’m good at that kind of thing.”
    “Why are you nervous?”
    He exhales slowly before speaking. “Because I think I might like you, Rachel. And we barely know each other. It’s a scary feeling.”
    “Yeah.” I lean against him, trying to get used to the way he feels. His hand moves from my shoulders to my back, rubbing me lightly, and I begin to relax.
    “Want to take a walk?” he asks. “See my property?”
    “Sure.”
    “I’ll get my shoes. Just a sec.”
    While I wait I pet Sparky who has decided I am a better spot to rest his chin than anywhere else. Sparky has grey fur around his mouth and I know he must be getting old. He reminds me of my yellow lab—Zippo—who I had when I was a child.
    “Ready?” David helps me up and we wander to the side of the house where he has a vegetable garden. He holds my hand on the way and I can’t help but remember the last time his hands touched me. I shiver even though it’s warm out.
    “You must have quite the green thumb,” I say, admiring his tomato plants.
    “Want to pick a salad?” he asks, and I laugh.
    Together we harvest tomatoes, green peppers and a huge bundle of lettuce. David sets them aside and leads me to his backyard.
    “I own ten acres here,” he says as we walk. “And my brothers and sister own the adjacent lots.”
    “You’re close to your family?”
    “Very. What about you?”
    “Kind of. My mom and I chat on the phone sometimes.” I shrug, kicking the grass a little. “And I have an older sister.”
    “Do they live in town?”
    “No. My mom lives in Kentucky. My sister is in New York.”
    “Wow. Pretty spread out. You miss ‘em?”
    I pause, thinking about the last conversation with my mom in which she warned me that if I wasn’t married soon, I wouldn’t be able to have children. “No. Not really. I guess we aren’t close.”
    “Maybe. Maybe not.” He stops walking and I look up and see we’re close to the fence. Near the ground there's a little hole in the chain link.
    “That’s Sparky’s door?” I ask.
    “Sure is. His door to freedom. Doesn’t use it much anymore.” And before I know it David is pulling me to him, embracing me, and kissing me. Oh, wow, he’s kissing me! His tongue explores my mouth with such urgency that all I can do is let him, and he's holding me so tight. I never want him to let go.
    When he breaks away we stare at each other, both slightly stunned.
    “That was better than I expected,” he finally says.
    “What did you expect it to be