“I will.” As tears stung his eyes, Alex hugged her. “Love you, Mom.”

“Love you, too, honey. Now don’t stay out too late. You know how Daddy and I worry when you boys drive at night.”

Alex wasn’t sure what hurt more—the stark reminder of who she’d once been or the sudden return to dementia. “I know, Mom. I won’t be out too late.” He pulled back from her and looked down at her. “Thanks again for ironing my shirt.”

“Your shirt? What about your shirt?”

“Never mind.”

She might not remember, but he’d never forget.

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

When she heard the rumbling roar of the motorcycle coming down the lane that led to the lighthouse, Jenny grabbed her jacket and put it on, slung her purse over her shoulder and headed down the stairs to meet him.

Filled with anticipation, she stepped outside as he brought the bike to a stop and cut the engine. While he took a good long look at her, she did the same, enjoying the sight of him in a freshly ironed cotton shirt that was rolled up to reveal his tanned forearms, well-faded jeans and the boots he always wore on the bike. His dark hair was messed up from the ride, but the messy look—like everything else—only added to his over-the-top sex appeal. Or maybe it was the fact that she thought everything about him was sexy.

He got off the bike and held out a hand to her. “Those jeans are hot, babe.”

Feeling the now-familiar magnetic pull, she went to him and was thrilled when he wrapped her up in a tight hug. She put her arms around him and held on just as tightly to him.

“You have no idea how badly I needed this,” he said after a long moment of quiet.

“Everything okay?”

He released a deep sigh. “It is now.”

Jenny loved that he seemed to feel better when he was with her, that they brought each other comfort as well as passion and companionship and all the other things they’d found together. But the comfort seemed to be what he needed right now. “You want to talk about it?”

“Later.” He drew back from her so he could kiss her. “I want to enjoy being with you, because I’ve been looking forward to it all day.”

“I’ve been looking forward to it just as much.”

“Well, I promised you a date, so let’s get to it.”

“If it’s not a good night for it, we don’t have to go anywhere.”

“It’s a good night, and it’s going to get even better before it’s over.”

The playful wiggle of his brows was much more in keeping with the Alex she’d come to know. He helped her into the helmet he’d brought for her and showed her where to put her feet.