Kelsey and Tracey studied Wade and Hannah. Sitting at a table in the restaurant, Hannah read her science book.  When she found the answer she needed, she told him, and he wrote it down for her.  Every so often, Wade told her something funny, and her laughter filled the room.

            Tracey smiled.  “It’s nice that she has another male role model.”  She swirled around on her stool and looked at Kelsey.  “She talks about him all the time at school.  Brianna is jealous and Landen also.  Hannah ignores him whenever he teases her now.”

            “She talks about Wade at home too.”  Kelsey shook her head.  “They see each other twice a week.  I’m amazed Wade finds the time, being a doctor in all.”  I like having him around, too.  She breathed in a quick breath.  Where did that come from?  He’s great with Hannah, but that’s it.  

            “Well, that’s the advantage of working in a small town,” Tracey said.  “Wade doesn’t have to see a lot of sick kids every day.”

            “Uh-huh.”  Kelsey glanced briefly in his direction in time to catch him staring at her.  When he smiled, she felt her cheeks warm, and she turned away.

            For the umpteenth time that month, she remembered how safe she had felt in his strong arms after dancing and how the scent of his cologne-cedar, mandarin and amber made her dizzy.   

            Kelsey snapped herself back to the present.  Being around him could be dangerous.

            All month long, she and Wade had done the same thing.  They stole glances and had short chats before he left.  He complimented her, leaving her red as a beet, and causing her overprotective dad to glare.

Knowing that her ever-observant best friend had witnessed the exchange, Kelsey dragged her gaze to meet Tracey’s.
            Tracey chuckled.  “I don’t think Wade just wants to see Hannah.”

            “That’s crazy.”  Kelsey swabbed the counter with a wet rag.           

            “I know what I saw,” Tracey said, persistently.  “He likes you.  And I remember when you danced with him.  Abby, Jason, Scott, and I hadn’t seen you so happy and relaxed in a long time.  The way y’all looked at each other afterward, we knew y’all had feelings for one another.  He kissed your head, and then you blushed.”

            Kelsey narrowed her eyes.  “You don’t know what you’re talking about.  We had a nice dance, and I was flushed after it.  That’s it.  As for the kiss, you imagined it.”

            “No, I didn’t.”

            “Well, then why were you spying on me?”
            Tracey tapped her index finger against her chin, pretending to think.  “Gee, because you’re my best friend, and I wanted to see you happy for a few minutes before you got scared and put up that proverbial wall around your heart.  Maybe something like that.  You are still scared and nervous.” 

            “I’m not.”  Kelsey scrubbed the counter harder. 

            “Yes, you are.  You clean and bake when you’re nervous, scared, or worried.”

            “This is a restaurant; it has to be clean.”  Kelsey turned around and rearranged the glasses on the shelves.   “And my bakery is a part of it.  I have to bake to pay the bills.”

            “I know, but you’re overdoing it.”  Tracey pointed to the new shelves Kelsey had put in.  “Now, you’re selling day-old stuff.”                “So?  People are buying them.”

            “That’s not the point.  Every time I see you, you’re cleaning or baking.  You’ve been dodging the fact that you’re attracted to Wade.”

            Kelsey spun around on her heels.  She crossed her arms and set her jaw, the rag dangling from her fingers.  “You’re wrong.”    

            Tracey shook her head.  “Like the great bard, William Shakespeare, wrote, ‘methinks the lady doth protest too much.’  For Pete’s sake, you’re not a nun.  It’s okay to admit you’re having feelings for Wade.”

            The bell chimed, and Abby entered.  “Hey, girlfriends.”

            “Thank goodness you’re here.”  Tracey waved her over.  “I need help with convincing a certain friend that she has feelings for a certain beyond hot doctor.”

            “That hasn’t been settled yet?”  Abby furrowed her brow.  “Jason said he saw y’all talking the other day, and thought y’all were getting serious.  On the other hand, Jason sometimes sees what he wants.’”

            “Oh, I think he saw a strong attraction on both sides, but Kelsey’s fighting it.”

            “Why?”

            Kelsey didn’t answer.  She put two muffins in a bag.  “Here are the nonfat muffins you ordered.”

            “Thanks, but don’t change the subject.”

            Exhaling, Kelsey leaned against the counter. “Fine.  I do have feelings for Wade.  I felt the chemistry between us when he shook my hand after his first visit with Hannah.  And I loved the feeling of him holding me, thanks to you, Abby, for forcing me to dance with him.”

            Abby gasped.  “Hey, now, I didn’t force you.  I knew if you had any feelings towards Wade, you would be jealous when I said that I would dance with him.  You confirmed my suspicions when you changed your mind so fast.”

            Kelsey had to admit that the idea of Wade dancing with anyone else made her stomach churn, especially when he talked about asking girls out when he was younger.  “That’s what frightens me.  I wasn’t that jealous when Parker flirted with women, although I ought to have been.  This attraction-this pull Wade has on me is unnerving.”

            “Oh, girl,” Abby said.  “Haven’t you considered he might be the one?”   

            Kelsey looked at her friends, turning her palms facing outwards.  “I’m not ready.”

            “You keep telling yourself that, but I believe you are ready.  You just have to try.” 

            “You sound like Mom.”

             Tracey chuckled.  “I always thought Gwen was wise.  But seriously, Kelse, you need to stop thinking that all men are like Parker.”

             “Intellectually, I know that.”  Kelsey glanced to her right, where a picture of her parents hung and looked back at Tracey and Abby.  “My dad is a good man.  Not to mention, Jason, Scott, Travis, Nick, and Uncle Sam.  But the risk is too great."

             “You’ve got to take chances in life,” Abby said, cutting her off.  “If Hannah had a fear of something, you would tell her to face it, right?”

             “Yes.”

             “Well, then why don’t you do the same?”

             Kelsey’s head spun, trying to think of a reason.  Her friends were right, but the thought of getting involved with anyone made her anxious.  Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t hear the clicking of Hannah’s wheelchair or Wade’s footsteps. 
            “Mama!”

            Startled, Kelsey hopped back a bit and looked at her daughter.  “What, Hannah?”

            “I have a great idea!”

            “What?” Kelsey smiled at Hannah.

            “Tomorrow, after Daddy picks me up, Wade could come by and keep you company.”

            Kelsey looked at Wade, who stood there, his mouth agape.  She turned her attention back to her daughter and said calmly,                      “Sweetie, I have to work here tomorrow.”

            Hannah shook her head.  “Remember, Meemaw and Papaw told you to take the day off since you worked so hard lately.”

            Wade piped in. “I think your mom wants to rest.”

             “Yes, I do.”  Relieved that he gave her an out.
             “But Parker is picking Hannah up in the morning,” Tracey reminded her.  “You can rest in the afternoon, and Wade could come tomorrow night.  I know how you hate eating alone.”

             Kelsey glared at Tracey.

             “Um, I don’t want to intrude,” Wade said, wiping his palms on his jeans.

             “You wouldn’t be.”  Hannah's gaze went from Wade to Kelsey.  “Right, Mama?”

             The word “yes” stuck in her throat as she peered into Hannah’s pleading eyes.  She sucked in a quick breath.  “No, he wouldn’t, but Wade might have plans.”

             “No.  Not really,” Wade answered.  “I’m done at the clinic at five.

             Defeated, Kelsey said, “Well, I guess if you’re up to it, then swing on by.”

             He smiled, showing his dimples and making her pulse race.  Darn it.  Why does he affect me this way every time he smiles?
            Kelsey slightly shook her head, trying to get back to the conversation at hand.  “Um, will seven o’clock be okay?  It won’t be fancy.”

            “That’s fine.  I like casual.”

            “Awesome!”  Hannah laughed excitedly.  “I’m so happy!”

            “I can tell.”  Wade chuckled and glanced at his watch.  “I better go.  John and Rose asked me to help move something for them.”

            “Okay.  Bye, Wade,” Hannah said.

            After he waved goodbye to everybody and a long look a Kelsey, he left the restaurant.

            Feeling goosebumps forming all over her body, she shivered.  What have I done?  

 

***

            “Daddy’s here, Mama!”  Hannah hollered from the front window as a car pulled up to the curb.

            Kelsey joined Hannah and looked out the window to see her ex-husband exiting his black Ferrari.  “I see.”  She glanced at the wall clock.  “And on time too.”  Wonders never cease.

            Kelsey made her way to the door and opened it.  “Come on in.”

           “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!”  Hannah drove over to Parker and hugged his waist.
            Like other times, Kelsey forced back a sob.  You don’t know what you’re missing, Parker.
            His brown eyes widened in surprise.  “Whoa, that’s quite a greeting.”

            “I missed you.”

            “I know.”  Parker stroked Hannah’s hair.  “But, we’ll have all weekend together.”

            “Yes.”  Hannah leaned back and smiled.  “Can I check in my room right quick to see if I have everything?"

            “Sure.”

            “I’ll be right back.”

            When their daughter left, Kelsey turned to Parker.  “I filled up the van, so you don’t have to stop for gas.”

            “Thanks.”  He shoved his hands into his jean pockets.  “I’m anxious to introduce Hannah to Victoria.”

            She nodded.  “Yes, of course.  If I hadn’t said it yet, congratulations.”

            “Thank you.”

            The sound of Hannah’s wheelchair made them turn around.  “I have everything.”

            “Good.”  Parker picked up the suitcase by the entryway and opened the door.  “Well, we’d better go.”

            “Okay, Daddy.”  Hannah looked at Kelsey.  “Bye, Mama.  I love you.”

            Kelsey bent down, hugged her, and kissed her forehead.  “I love you, too, sweetie.”

            Parker fished his car keys from his pocket.  “Here you go.”

            “Thanks.”  Kelsey got her keys from the hook and handed them to him.
            “I’ll have her back by five o’clock tomorrow.”

            “Okay.”

            Hannah craned her neck and glanced at Kelsey.  “Have a nice date with Wade tonight.”

            Parker’s eyebrows shot up.  “You’ve got a date?”

            “Yes-I mean no.”  Kelsey tucked her hair behind her ears and licked her lips.  “It’s just a friendly dinner with Hannah’s mentor, that’s it.”

            “Uh-uh,” he said, not sounding convinced.  “Whatever you say.”  He looked down at Hannah.  “Come on, Hannah.”

            She closed the door and leaned against it, taking a relieved sigh.  I made it through another encounter with Parker.  Now, I hope I can get through tonight.

 

***

              Kelsey glanced at the mirror.  I guess I look okay.   She’d decided on her black dress pants, her long-sleeved, blue shirt with black square buttons on the neckline, and black ankle boots.  She applied powder, blush, and nude lipstick and let her curly hair down.

              The timer on the oven dinged.  Kelsey hurried to the kitchen and removed the baked chicken, putting it on the dining table, and then added the mashed potatoes, slaw, and iced tea.

              The doorbell chimed.  Kelsey gasped and inspected the table once more.

              When Kelsey reached the door, she took a deep breath and opened it.  The man who’d invaded her thoughts and dreams for the past month stood a couple of feet away, holding red roses and wearing a black leather jacket, a blue dress shirt, and blue jeans.  Wade had the first two buttons undone, showing a hint of chest hair.  His raven hair was perfectly combed.  He smiled at her, causing the butterflies to flutter even more in her stomach.

               It ought to be a sin to be this handsome.

               Hearing Wade calling her name brought Kelsey back.  “Um, I’m sorry.  Please, come in.”

               After he stepped inside, he held out the roses for her to take.

               ”Thank you.”  Kelsey smelled them.  “I love these.” 

               “I’m glad I made the right choice.”

               She gave him a hint of a smile.  “Let me put them in water.”

               Wade followed her into the kitchen. 

                Kelsey opened the cabinet and got out a clear glass vase.  After putting water in it, she arranged the roses.  “There.  I’m going to put them on the dining table.”

                She put the roses in the middle of the table.  She faced him, fidgeting with her hands.  “I hope you like baked chicken.”

                ”I do,” Wase replied, shifting from one foot to the other.

                “Well, please make yourself comfortable and have a seat.”

                “Thanks.”  He took off his jacket and hung it on a nearby coat rack.

                “You look lovely tonight, as always.”  Wade scooped a good amount of mashed potatoes and put them on his plate.

                Kelsey felt her cheeks heating up.  “Uh, thank you.”  She picked up a chicken leg with a meat fork and placed it on her plate.  “You look handsome too.”

                “Thanks.  I-uh-I was worried you weren’t here.  Your van wasn’t in your driveway.”

                “Parker and I switch cars whenever he picks up Hannah,” she explained.  “I put his Ferrari in the garage.”

                Wade whistled.  “Expensive car.”

                “I know.”  She chuckled.  “That’s why I try not to drive it.”

                As the meal progressed, they talked about Hannah and their hobbies.  She was fascinated that he restored antique furniture and told her that his favorite piece that he refurbished was an eighteenth-century English sideboard for one of his buddies’ fifth anniversary present for his wife.

                “That’s a nice gift.”  She sipped her tea.  “I bet she loved it.”

                “Yes, she did.”

                Suddenly, they hear hard rain on the roof, and then it stopped seconds later.

                Wade chuckled.  “I guess it was a cloud burst.”

                “I hope it rains Friday, so the Lowders’ mud courses and pits will be muddy for our race next Saturday.”

                Wade’s eyes widened.  “You’re a mudder?”

                “Yes.”  She smiled.  “It’s fun and freeing.”

                “I can’t believe it.”  Wade shook his head.  “Your van is always clean, and you don’t have a truck.”

                “I borrow one from Nick.”  She chuckled.  “You should see his face when I’m

through with it.  His precious 4x4 all caked up with mud.  However, next Saturday, I’m racing with one of my Uncle Sam’s four-wheeler.”

                “I still can’t picture you mudding.”

                “I guess you can’t look at a person looks like and guess their hobbies.”  She put her fork down.

                “No.”  He ate the last bite on his plate.  “That was a great meal.”

                “Thank you.  Would you like some dessert?  It’s apple crisp.”

                ”No, thanks.”  Wade patted his belly.  “I’m stuffed.”

                “Okay.”   Kelsey rose and started to clear the table.

               “Here.  Let me help.”

               When he stepped closer to take the plates from her, she couldn’t help but breathe in his cologne that she had grown to love.  Then Wade’s hand brushed against hers, causing chills to run up her spine.  Her brain struggled to think while her traitorous body cried out for him to hold her again.  Her eyes darted to his lips, wanting him to kiss her, to his now desire-filled eyes, and a few seconds later, Kelsey found herself in Wade’s embrace.  He outlined her bottom lip before he leaned in for a kiss.  The feeling of his full, soft lips on hers felt like heaven, and she moaned.  When Wade deepened the kiss, she let herself enjoy the feelings he was eliciting in her, and she kissed him back.  However, his hands began to roam up and down her body, alarm bells in her head went off in her head, and she backed away.
            Seeing the puzzled look on Wade’s face, Kelsey glanced down, wondering what to do and trying to regain composure by taking small breaths.
            “I-I’m sorry.”  He cleared his throat.  “I wasn’t thinking.”

            She looked up and swallowed hard.  “This is all happening too fast for me.”

            Wade furrowed his brow.  “I’m so sorry I pushed you.  I don’t know what I was thinking.”
            “You read my mind.  I wanted you to kiss me.”

            “Yeah?”  He gave her a small smile.

            She nodded.  “But I’m still not sure that I’m ready.  This isn’t me rejecting you.  If you were Bradley Cooper or Ryan Gosling, I wouldn’t be ready either.”  She stepped closer and took his hands in hers.  “I really like you, Wade.  Just give me time, please?”

             “I’ll give you all the time you need.”  Wade circled the back of her hand with his thumb.  “I like knowing two of the hottest actors in Hollywood would be in the same boat.”

             She chuckled, but scrunched her nose, thinking about Hannah.  “I hope this-um-agreement won’t mean you stop spending time with Hannah.  You mean a lot to her.”

             His eyebrows shot up.  “Of course, I will still visit Hannah.  Seeing her and you brighten up my day.”

             His comment made her melt, and she had an urge to kiss him again.  No, it would send a mixed message, and that would be unfair to him.

             “Are you okay?  You’re trembling.”  Wade rubbed her arms.

             Kelsey stepped back, feeling foolish she had let her emotions govern her once again tonight.  Why are you fighting them? a small voice asked, but she ignored it. “I’m fine.  It’s just cold in here.  Maybe you should go.  Tomorrow we have an early service.”

             “What about the dishes?”  He glanced at the table with empty plates and pots with food.

             “I’ll get them,” she assured him.  “I’m used to it.”

             “I had a good time,” he said at the front door.  “Thanks for a delicious meal.”

             After closing the door, Kelsey looked into the mirror and traced her lips, she sighed, wishing she could be less cautious.

             But isn’t it better that I wait before I give my heart again?  Besides, Wade said he would give me time.

 

***

            Wade busied himself with approving the refills of his patients' prescriptions.  Once finished, he let his mind drift to Kelsey and their wonderful kiss.  She had felt so good in his arms, and kissing her had been like coming home.  He had been disappointed when she said she needed more time, but he wanted to be sensitive to her feelings, realizing this was likely the first time she was opening up to another man since her ex-husband.

            Kelsey is worth the wait.

            Unfortunately, he’d overslept and missed church, but it might have been for the best.  He doubted Pastor Kellerman’s sermon would have registered in his mind if he had been constantly looking over to where Kelsey sat.  God and the pastor deserve more than a person half-listening to the message.

            A hand on his shoulder put an end to his reverie.  Glancing up, he saw John.

            “Hey.”

            “Hi. “  Wade stood.  “I thought you weren’t coming in today.”

            “I wasn’t, but since it’s lunchtime, I thought maybe you would like to grab a bite to eat with me.”

            “Sure.”  Wade took off his white coat and hung it on the rack.  “Where?  To Kix’s?”

            “I’m hungry for Chinese.”  John jangled his keys in his pocket.  “Does that sound good to you?”

            He nodded, eyeing his long-time mentor suspiciously.  John had always fiddled with his keys or pens when something worried him, though he knew better than to ask him straight out.  “I haven’t had it in a while.”

            “Great.  Let’s take my car.”

            The restaurant, Joe Chen’s, was just a few miles away.  It looked nice, with a bricked floor, tables with Chinese lanterns on them, and pictures of famous landscapes in China on the white walls.

            John cleared his throat.  “How was your date with Kelsey?”

            “Good.”  He lowered his menu and arched an eyebrow.  “How did you know?”

            John smiled and shrugged.  “Gwen told Rose, and she happily relayed the news to me.  You forget that Kirchville is a small town where everybody knows everyone’s business.”

            After the waiter took their orders, John said, “I’m thrilled Kelsey’s finally giving someone a chance.  It’s been almost eight years since she and Parker got divorced.”

            “Her ex-husband had to have hurt her badly because she’s still afraid.  We talked, laughed, and kissed.”  Wade fiddled with his college ring, not sure he could tell John.  He didn’t want Kelsey to be embarrassed if everyone knew, but he knew John could keep a secret.  After glancing around, Wade noticed no one was sitting within hearing range.  “It was great.  I enjoyed it, and Kelsey did, too, but then she-.”

            “Pushed you away,” John finished for him.

            “Yes, but she told me to give her time, which I said I would give her all the time she needed.”

            “Good.”  John took a sip of water.  “You’re the first man Kelsey has shown any interest.  I was surprised she agreed to have you over for supper.”

            Wade frowned.  “Kelsey was pressured into it by Hannah and her friends.”

            “Still, she didn’t cancel it.  That’s a good sign.”

            “I guess so.”

            “I’ve known Kelsey her whole life.”  John leaned back in the booth.  “Trust me; you’re getting her to let down her guard.  She was disappointed that you weren’t at church.”

            Wade grinned.  “She was?”

            “Yes, but I told her you had probably overslept since you weren’t in the habit of getting up early on Sundays.”  John shook his head.  “I wish we could stop having early service every other month, but it’s a tradition.   Anyway, back to Kelsey; be patient- like I need to be with getting used to my pending retirement.”

            “I will.”  Wade tilted his head.  “But you don’t have to retire.”

            “Yes, I do.  My stress level is high, and I’m getting older.  Plus, I promised Rose we would travel some.”

            Wade looked into his sad blue eyes, knowing John would miss his patients.  It’s a shame that John and Rose couldn’t have children.  They would have made great parents.

            “Oh, good,” John said when the waiter came.  “Our food is here.”