She didn’t want to.
Without another thought, Reva laid her palm against his face and heard his intake of breath before he deepened the kiss, pulling her closer, and making her head spin. His movements were sure and slow, like everything he did.
For a brief few seconds, she allowed herself to drift away from the demands of those who relied on her, the looming projects on her agenda, and the countless nights spent in solitude.
There were moments in life when it seemed as though the divine playfully stepped in to dazzle and delight. This was undeniably one of those moments. Occasionally, life’s joy was so overwhelming that it seemed impossible to hold all the happiness within.
She’d been handed two grand gifts. First, it had been Lucan who arrived on the scene out of nowhere—now Kellen.
She was indeed a woman immensely blessed.
27
The late morning sun spilled golden light through the open windows of Reva’s cozy living room, casting warm patterns on the hardwood floor. Today, the world seemed to sing a brighter, more hopeful tune, one that resonated deep within her soul. Reva’s heart danced to a rhythm of joy she hadn’t felt in ages, buoyed by the unexpected delight of her first date with Kellen.
It wasn’t just the laughter they'd shared or the gentle understanding in his eyes when she spoke of her past. Or that he opened himself up and showed surprising vulnerability. It was the realization that the world still held good, kind men—and perhaps, just perhaps, love might find her again.
With this newfound happiness thrumming through her veins, Reva turned the volume up on her Bose stereo. The opening chords of her favorite Fleetwood Mac song filled the room, a timeless melody that captured the lightness of her mood. She extended her hand toward Lucan, who looked up at her with wide, curious eyes. “Dance with me?” she asked, her voice playful.
Lucan hesitated for a moment before a shy smile graced his features, and he placed his dimpled hand inside hers. Together, they danced around the living room, laughter mingling with the music.
In these moments, with the sun warming her skin and Lucan’s laughter echoing in her ears, Reva felt a surge of gratitude. Despite the initial awkwardness and the heavy shadow of loss that had brought them together, Lucan was adjusting, finding comfort in the home that now surrounded him.
Their relationship was blossoming in the most heartwarming ways. Just this morning, Reva had brought Lucan into the kitchen and lifted him onto the counter. He determinedly tried to help make breakfast—a chaotic yet endearing effort that had ended with more eggshells in the omelet than she would have liked. But it was the precious expression on his face, his pure joy and willingness to help, that touched Reva deeply.
They were finding their rhythm, slowly weaving a tapestry of shared experiences. Whether it was their weekend excursions to the community park, where Lucan would excitedly point out every dog that passed by, or their quiet evenings spent reading together before bedtime, each day brought them closer. Lucan’s tentative smiles were becoming more frequent, his laughter a regular sound.
Even the childcare arrangement with the Knit Wit ladies was proving to be a blessing. Their willingness to step in and help, offering not just their time but their hearts, had given Reva the support she needed to balance work and home life. Lucan adored them, fascinated by their knitting projects, and often sat beside them with his own little set of toddler-sized needles, clumsily but determinedly trying to mimic their movements.
As the song came to an end, Reva twirled Lucan one last time before pulling him into a warm hug. He wrapped his small arms around her, a gesture of trust and affection that filled her heart to the brim. Looking over his shoulder, out the window to the potted flowers on her sun-dappled deck, Reva felt a sense of true peace settle over her.
A knock at her door pulled her attention. She placed Lucan back on the floor, surprised she hadn’t heard anyone pull into the driveway. Of course, she’d been blasting her music loudly.
She opened the door to find Capri standing there. She’d barely pulled the door open when her girlfriend pushed her way in, wearing a wide smile. “So, I hear the date went well?”
Reva cautiously nodded. “And where did you hear that?”
Capri made her way to the kitchen, opened the cupboard, and withdrew a coffee mug. “Dorothy was having breakfast with the rest of the Knit Wits at the Rustic Pine. She said you were glowing when you got home.”
“Glowing?”
Capri grabbed the coffee carafe and filled her mug. “Yes, she said you were even humming as you bid her goodnight.”
Reva rolled her eyes. “Sounds like Nicola no longer has the corner on the gossip in this town.”
Capri waved off the comment and leaned against the counter. Her hair was pinned up inside a cap emblazoned with her company logo—Grand Teton Whitewater Adventures. She wore jeans, a white ribbed tank top that showed off her enviable curves, and a red bandana tied at her neck. “So, spill,” she said, taking a sip.
Without waiting for Reva’s reply, Capri leaned and ruffled Lucan’s hair. “Hey, small guy. How are you today?”
He answered her with a wide grin.
Reva scooped him up and went to work washing off the remaining breakfast from his face. “I like Kellen. He’s genuine and smart. But with a sense of humor.”
“And not bad to look at,” Capri suggested.
Reva let a slow grin form. “And not bad to look at.” She felt like a schoolgirl standing here in the kitchen sharing details of a date with her close girlfriend.
She busied herself filling her own coffee cup before turning to her friend. A sly smile nipped at the corners of her lips as she leaned against the counter next to Capri. “He kissed me,” she confessed.
