“You did?”

“I had such a crush on you back then it was pathetic. You sneaked into my heart, Cady, and you never left. I had all these feelings back then. Back then…I keep saying it that way because I don’t know how else to refer to that time. Jesus, I can’t believe I’m telling you this.” The flush in his neck settled into a ring of heat.

A blue jay swooped down out of the tree Cady had been sitting in. It flew across the pond and up to the Judas tree.

“Well, guess what. Here I am. Here you are.”

Boomer backed up a step as Cady advanced a step.

Cady took another step forward. “It was an invitation, Boomer. You know, you lock your lips on mine, and I lock my lips on yours. It’s called kissing. It will probably be a lot better than it would have been when I was ten and you were thirteen.”

Boomer’s heart pounded. Should he go for it or not? What was that wicked gleam in her eyes? He needed to get the hell out of there, and he needed to do it immediately.

And then it was too late. He felt warm, moist lips on his. He felt her arms go around his neck, and he knew she was standing on her toes. Nothing in his life had ever felt so good, so wonderful. A low, agonized groan worked its way up to his chest and throat. He heard the bells and whistles, saw the fireworks explode in his brain. Among the bells and whistles he could hear a dull thumping warning. With all the willpower he could muster, he used his hands to push her away. His mouth felt like it was on fire when he struggled to take a deep breath. “Now, where in the hell did you learn to kiss like that, Cady Jordan?”

“I didn’t. Learn it I mean. I was saving it up for you. I never kissed anyone like that before. You better not tell me you’re complaining, Boomer Ward. Well, are you?”

“No. Kissing like that leads…You’re in your underwear, for God’s sake. I bet if you folded it up real tight it would fit in your ear.” Jesus, did I just say that?

Cady laughed. “I was wearing a yellow shirt that day. And jeans or bib overalls that came to the top of my socks. Pete, Andy, and Amy were here. I remembered that this morning. It’s all coming back. You’re a good kisser, Boomer. Who knew?” she quipped.

“You should get dressed. Some patrol cop might come along. How’s this going to look?”

He looked so flustered, Cady burst out laughing. “It’s going to look like you just kissed me in my underwear. Too bad Larry Denville isn’t here. We could have the front page again. He’s on his way to Vermont to talk to my parents, so I guess the town won’t be made aware of this little meeting.”