“Well, anything’s possible. But what might make it hard is that I remember,” said John, “when I held you before. I remembered holding you at the weirdest times. I missed you so much, Leigh. I never told you how much you meant to me. I missed all my good chances to say all the right things, all the smart things. I was absolutely crazy in love with you, and scared to death… You fascinated me. You terrified me. All I can say is thanks…for coming back and making an effort to be friends again, to work things out… I’m such a—hey! Why are you crying?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Oh, Leigh, it’s okay. C’mere. It’s okay to come here so I can put an arm around you while you—”

“Easy does it, John. Let’s go slowly… Please…?” But she was moving into the protective circle of his arm just the same. She felt so good, so secure, when she curled up against him like this and let herself pretend, for just a second, that there was someone to lean on, someone to care for her.

“Yeah, that’s livin’ right… Let’s pretend everything is okay. Okay?”

“Okay.”

* * *

Leigh put a hand on Jess’s shoulder to rouse her. “I’m home. You didn’t have to wait up.”

“Hmm? Oh, I didn’t mean to wait up. I must have dozed off. Did you have a nice time, dear?”

“Yes, Mom. You feeling okay?”

“Sure,” she said, and yawned. “Sure I am. Just dozed off. Did you discuss the landscaping with John?”

“Yes. I think we’ve covered everything.”

“Isn’t he a nice young man?” Jess pushed.

“Yes, Mom. I’m going to bed.”

“Do you think you’ll be seeing him again?”

“I’m sure I’ll see a lot of him, since he’ll be working on the yard for weeks. G’night.”

Jess frowned. “Leigh, have you been crying? Your eyes are all red around the edges.”

“Me? I never cry.”

Never used to, Jess thought. Only love can really bring on the tears.

“It must have been the cigarette smoke in the Steak House.”

“Ah,” said Jess. But Leigh didn’t smell of smoke. She smelled slightly of woodsy aftershave. Jess hid her smile.

Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

By the first of May, John’s crew had cleared away most of the shrubbery that had to be torn out to accommodate the changes and had begun working in the yard. He arrived on site early each day to supervise the work.