Be My Valentine by Debbie Macomber Read Free Book Online Page B

so—” she paused, searching for another word “—charming.”
    â€œCharming,” he echoed. “Charming?”
    â€œTo my children and my mother,” she elaborated. “The gifts were one thing. Giving Jason a ride in the tow truck was fine, too, but agreeing with my mother about summer weddings and then playing basketball with Jason—none of that was necessary.”
    â€œPersonally, I would’ve thought your mother measuring my chest and arm length so she could knit me a sweater would bother you the most.”
    â€œThat, too!”
    â€œCould you explain why this is such a problem?”
    â€œIsn’t it obvious? If you keep doing that sort of thing, they’ll expect me to continue dating you after the Valentine’s dinner, and, frankly, I can’t afford it.”
    He chuckled at that as if she was making some kind of joke. Only it wasn’t funny. “I happen to live on a budget—”
    â€œI don’t think we should concern ourselves with that,” he broke in.
    â€œWell, I am concerned.” She expelled her breath sharply. “One date! That’s all I can afford and that’s all I’m interested in. If you continue to be so…so…”
    â€œWonderful?” he supplied.
    â€œCharming,” she corrected, “then I’ll have a whole lot to answer for when I don’t see you again after Saturday.”
    â€œSo you want me to limit the charm?”
    â€œPlease.”
    â€œI’ll do my best,” he said, and his eyes sparked with laughter, which they seemed to do a good deal of the time. If she hadn’t been so flustered, she might have been pleased that he found her so amusing.
    â€œThank you.” She glanced pointedly at her watch. “Shouldn’t we head back to the house?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œNo? I realize you told my mother we’d be gone an hour, but that really is too long and—”
    â€œI’m taking you to Jackson Point.”
    Dianne’s heart reacted instantly, zooming into her throat and then righting itself. Jackson Point overlooked a narrow water passage between the Kitsap Peninsula and Vashon Island. The view, either at night or during the day, was spectacular, but those who came to appreciate it at night were generally more interested in each other than the glittering lights of the island and Seattle farther beyond.
    â€œI’ll take the fact that you’re not arguing with me as a positive sign,” he said.
    â€œI think we should go back to the house,” she stated with as much resolve as she could muster. Unfortunately it didn’t come out sounding very firm. The last time she’d been to Jackson Point had been a lifetime ago. She’d been a high-school junior and madly in love for the first time. The last time.
    â€œWe’ll go back in a little while.”
    â€œSteve,” she cried, fighting the urge to cry, “why are you doing this?”
    â€œIsn’t it obvious? I want to kiss you again.”
    Dianne pushed her hair away from her face with both hands. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” Her voice wavered, just like her teenage son’s.
    Before she could come up with an argument, Steve pulled off the highway and down the narrow road that led to the popular lookout. She hadn’t wanted to think about that kiss they’d shared. It had been a mistake. Dianne knew she’d disappointed Steve—not because of the kiss itself, but her reaction to it. He seemed to be waiting for her to admit how deeply it had affected her, but she hadn’t given him the satisfaction.
    Now, she told herself, he wanted revenge.
    Her heart was still hammering when Steve stopped the truck and turned off the engine. The lights across the water sparkled in welcome. The closest lights were from Vashon Island, a sparsely populated place accessible only by ferry. The more distant ones came from