Free Journal of a Lifetime (Journals of Love) by Lisa M. Wolfe Page A

“Lindsey, I don’t know what he’s talking about. After I left you, I drove to my apartment in town, had a snack, and went straight to bed. I knew we had a long day today and wanted to be ready for it.”
    Lindsey believed he was telling the truth.
    “Why would Don tell me that then?” she asked.
    Steve’s eyebrows lifted, which gave him a wild look. “I don’t know. He was the one who didn’t get home until after two in the morning. Maybe he forgot I wasn’t with him?” He tried to make a joke of it.
    She turned toward him. “I know you’ve been friends for a long time, but he’s making me feel a little—”
    Don’s voice interrupted them. “Here we go!” He set a tray of lemonade out in front of them. They both looked up, surprised he was back so soon. “What did I miss?”
    Steve’s patience was wearing thin, but he didn’t want to discuss things in front of Lindsey. “Don? Can I talk to you for a minute?” He stood up and pulled Don away.
    “Sure, partner. What’s going on?”
    Lindsey couldn’t hear the rest of their conversation, but when Steve returned, Don wasn’t with him.
    “Is everything all right?” she asked.
    “Oh, yeah, I just explained to him that I wanted to spend time alone with you.” He shook his head. “I can’t understand what’s gotten into him lately. He’s never lied before and his behavior has been just plain rude.” He shook his head again.
    He knew they didn’t have too much alone time, and he didn’t want to waste it discussing Don.
    “Can I ask you the usual questions?” he asked and looked into her eyes.
    “What do you mean?”
    “You know. Like, when’s your birthday? What’s your favorite color? Do you like movies, music, books? Those types of things.”
    Lindsey laughed. “My birthday is October twenty-first. My favorite color is blue. I like comedy movies, all kinds of music, and mystery books. What about you?”
    “Ok. My birthday is June fifth. My favorite color is green. I too like comedies, but also a good western. My taste in music has been a little odd lately, I’ve been enjoying classic rock and reggae, and I rarely have a chance to read anything other than my Bible,” he told her.
    “Your birthday is tomorrow?” she exclaimed.
    “I know. I almost forgot the date until just now.”
    “Won’t your family be celebrating with you?”
    “Not when we’re in the middle of a tour. We’ll get together next weekend for cake and ice cream. You know, the older we get the less we need to celebrate.”
    Lindsey pursed her lips. “Maybe we could do something special tomorrow. We always make a big deal of birthdays in my family, and I’d enjoy making you happy.”
    She was shocked at her forwardness, but Steve didn’t answer, so Lindsey put the thought away for later. She knew she’d find something she could do just for him.
    “I used to come fishing here with my dad when I was younger,” Steve told her. “In the future, I hope to bring my son out here with me too.”
    Lindsey suddenly looked at him in a different light. She could certainly see him as a father and knew he’d be a good one. He was patient and kind and had been very respectful with her. He would make a good husband too.
    They sat in a comfortable silence for the remaining ten minutes as the boat traveled through Ghost Lake and returned them to the dock.
    “Let me help you.” Steve reached for Lindsey’s arm to help her off the boat. She took his hand, but had to let go when she got down, as the other passengers expected him to do the same for them.
    Don was waiting for her near the end of the dock. “Did you enjoy the trip?” he asked, and began walking beside her.
    “I did, it was lovely. Thank you,” she responded curtly.
    “I wanted to tell you that Steve just got out of a long term relationship. He’s a little jaded and probably isn’t ready for anything serious.”
    Lindsey stopped walking.
Serious?
She thought.
I’ve just met him.
“Why are you doing