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I glanced over my shoulder at Austen, who was watching us with curiosity mixed with a touch of… was that jealousy? “I just talked to him. Sorry to run, Jess, but I have something I need to do.”
She folded her hands over her purse and smiled one more time. “Of course. The ranch sure keeps you busy. Well, Merry Christmas if I don’t see you around.” She walked past me, back to Austen’s table, leaving me looking after her.
“Merry Christmas,” I murmured.
Chapter 12
Jess
Austenletmekeephis journal. I hadn’t meant to ask, but he could see how curious I was about it. I said something about how I wished I had more time to look at it, and then I started to put it back where I’d found it. He stopped me.
“Did you want to take it now?” He looked uncomfortable offering.
“Oh, no. That’s okay. I’ll read it again sometime if you don’t mind.”
“Well, I… I don’t carry it with me all the time. I usually… uh… usually it’s at home.”
I wanted to take it, but he didn’t seem very confident about offering. “Really, it’s fine. I don’t want to steal your journal.”
“I don’t need it for a day or two, though. Just…” His hand dropped from mine like he was forcing himself to be calm. “I’ll need it back in a few days. After Christmas. Is that okay?”
I slid the journal back into my lap, caressing the cover like a pet. “Of course. I’ll keep it safe, and I won’t share it with anyone.”
“I know it will be safe with you.” He was leaning toward me like he wanted to say something. Or kiss me. But something inside held me back. He was a nice guy, and I’d had a great time. But I didn’t know him very well yet, and he hadn’t been very forthcoming. Maybe he was modest. That was why the journal was such a treasure, and his letting me read his private scribblings was a tremendous gift.
“Well,” I said after a moment. “Guess this is goodnight.”
He smiled. “Guess so.”
I hesitated. Should I kiss him? What if he moved and I didn’t feel right about it? Would I have to pull back and embarrass him, or would I just let him kiss me anyway?
I knew the answer. I’d probably be too afraid to hurt his feelings, like always. So, I took matters into my own hands and leaned over swiftly to kiss him on the cheek. Simple, and affectionate, but it set a boundary. For tonight, anyway.
I’d obviously surprised him, because he didn’t get another word out until I had my hand on the door handle. “Good night,” I said.
He blinked. “Good night. I had a great time.”
“Me too.” I paused on the step of the truck. “Hey, what are you doing for Christmas?” He was probably all alone. And it was just Dad and me at our house. Maybe…
“Oh. Christmas.” He tugged at his ear. “Danny’s watching the ranch, and I’m flying back to California for two days. Some old friends wanted me to come.”
I shrugged. “Next time, maybe. Have a safe trip.”
“I will. See you when I get back?”
“It’s a date.” I hopped down, closed the truck's door, and then stood back. Austen threw it in reverse and backed out of the driveway, waving one last time when his tires reached the road. I held the journal to my chest, drank in one last gulp of the biting winter air, and then went into the house.
Dad was still up. He switched off the TV and took his glasses off when I came in. “You’re back earlier than I expected.” He paused and looked behind me. “Well?”
“Well, what?”
“Where is he?”
“On his way home, probably. Why?”
Dad whistled and put the remote down. “It went that badly, huh?”
“No! What do you mean by that?”
