As she lifted the Crock-Pot lid, she could see that the stew was nicely finished, and with bread browning, everything smelled awesome. She set the table, pouring glasses of mineral water that they both enjoyed, and stepped back just as Oliver’s knock sounded on the front door.

–––

Oliver waited, smiling at the fact that this dating thing still made him nervous. He’d never thought after Anna’s death there would be room for anyone else in his life, much less his heart, but Tess had crashed in with both feet without even trying and he was over the moon. And there was no reason for nerves because everything about dating and being with Tess was so easy. There was no pretense about her—in fact often she was baldly blunt about things, but Oliver loved that about her. There was no guessing, just a relationship that bloomed and blossomed brighter with each passing day.

The door opened, and Tess smiled at him, hair damp, obviously just out of the shower. So small and petite, wearing a soft cotton blouse and black jeans, looking as if she needed to be protected when he knew firsthand she could more than take care of herself.

“You’re late.”

Oliver’s heart fluttered in his chest. “Five minutes. I heard what happened and figured you’d need some extra time.” He handed her the flowers he’d brought as he stepped inside—cliché, yes. He often felt he wanted to give Tess the world, but he’d have to settle for the prettiest flowers he could find on any given day. “Smells great in here.”

“Thank you.” She took the bouquet, stepped forward on tiptoes, and kissed him on the cheek. “They’re beautiful.” She stepped back, green eyes warm and sparkling. Such a deep, bottomless green, he could drown there.

Oliver smiled back, throat dry, again wondering at the fact that lightning had struck twice for him.

“Hope you’re hungry,” she said, turning.

“I’m famished.” He followed her into the kitchen, where she put the flowers in a vase and filled it with water. “I was sorry to hear about that worker being arrested. Those guys are here to help, and instead someone tries to compound the misery.”

Oliver had spent some time with the temporary help and found most of them to be hardworking and civic-minded. He knew he shouldn’t be surprised by what happened, but he was.

“Sorry; this is where I get cynical,” Tess said, motioning for him to take a seat. “Disasters bring out the best and the worst in people. I don’t have to tell you that I was lukewarm about the mass hiring of strangers.”

“They aren’t all strangers; several live in the Hollow,” Oliver said with a sigh. “And I always saw it as a community ready to help.”