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Wiping his damp palms on the thighs of his blue jeans, he blew out a breath and started for the front covered porch. Halfway there, the front door came open. He saw her slim silhouette under the shaded overhang as she pulled the entrance closed behind her.
After hurrying for the steps, she descended them and lifted her face when she reached the sunlight. The bright day beamed down on her, making her dark cap of hair look glossy and glamorous…citified. She wore a conservative length, khaki skirt, and a floral top with a deep V-neck and short sleeves.
Oxygen caught in his throat when her gaze met his. Face lighting with pleasure, she burst into the most radiant smile he’d ever seen. With that smile meant just for him, she hurried her pace, her dark strands of hair flying behind her as she dashed to him.
He felt eighteen again; like he’d finally gotten a repeat of the morning he’d visited her after their drunken kiss. But this time, she flew to him, no one else. He slowed to a stop and waited, letting her close the distance.
Upon reaching him, she opened her arms and leapt into his embrace. Shock, warmth, love, and undeniable bliss filled him. He closed his hug around her and pulled her close, breathing in the hint of her flowery shampoo. And just like that, the unease and uncertainty fell away. He kissed her hair, feeling settled and calm.
“Hey,” he murmured, never wanting to let go.
She pulled back just enough to grin at him, the tops of her cheekbones flushing healthily. “Hey yourself.”
Swept into the moment, he dipped his head and kissed her. Hot damn, but she kissed him back, tipping up her chin and slanting her mouth open for him to sweep his tongue alongside hers.
He groaned against her lips, realizing just how screwed he was. Jo Ellen Rawlings hadn’t just gotten under his skin. She’d gotten into his blood, into his soul.
When he broke away, he panted hard into her hair, and continued to hold her close. “Did y’all get the new baby home okay?” he managed to ask.
He felt her face move as she nodded.
“Good. Are you ready to go then?”
“Yes.”
He drew in a deep breath, bracing for the moment he’d have to let her go, then released his hold and stepped back. She took his hand and his soul quieted, content. Their fingers interlaced as he walked her to his truck where he opened the passenger side door.
“Thank you,” she demurred, her blue eyes propositioning him under her long lashes when she smiled coyly.
His body drew taut as she brushed by. He shivered and waited for her to climb into the cab, then he gently shut her door, waited to let his internal temperature cool, and finally hurried around to the driver’s seat.
They rode to the home in silence. She only asked one question. “Have you talked to your mom yet?”
He flinched and shook his head. Jo Ellen must’ve sensed how much turmoil his emotions were in because she didn’t scold, which he appreciated. He ran his fingers over hers as she kneaded his thigh.
Once they arrived, she interlaced their hands again at the entrance, where they waited to be admitted inside. His grip on her tightened when a buzzer sounded and the door was electronically unlocked.
“Dad likes to roam, so he could be anywhere.”
As soon as he spoke, however, a nurse spotted him and smiled. “Hey, Coop. I just saw your dad. He’s taking his afternoon walk down the north wing today.”
With a nod, Coop sent the woman a smile. “Thanks, Mary Ann. Appreciate it.” Steering Jo Ellen left, he started them toward the north wing where he immediately spotted his father’s bent back as he shuffled along.
He pointed, unable to speak. Jo Ellen’s attention followed the direction of his finger, and she smiled softly.
“Morning, Dad,” he greeted, his voice raspy with sentiment.
Thad didn’t even pause, his attention focused on the gleaming tiled floor as he shambled with some unknown purpose.
“Dad?” Cooper lifted his voice an octave and touched the frail, slouched shoulder.
His father jerked, startled by the interruption. He had to shift his entire torso around to lift his face and crane his neck up to see his guest. After studying Cooper, then Jo Ellen, with a blank gaze, he dropped his head and started walking again.
Jo Ellen chuckled. “He’s never been one to stand still, has he?”
Cooper smiled wistfully, but he ached too much inside to let the smile linger.
Disregarding all attempts at communication, Jo Ellen hurried to Thad’s left side and continued down the hall with him. After a dozen feet, she glanced over her shoulder and sent Cooper a curious look. “Aren’t you coming?”
