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Laughter sputtered out of Tate. “Steady? Dad, no one asks anyone to go steady these days. Heck, I didn’t even ask someone to go steady when I was in high school.”

Dad shook his head. “I know things are done differently these days, and the tradition of class rings has gone by the wayside. But if you find a woman who’s special to you, treat her with respect and love. Forever.”

It was the longest Dad had talked and his words had begun to slur. But Tate grabbed onto the advice, like he always had. Dad was his idol. Always had been. Always would be.

As for love, well, it wasn’t often Dad gave him relationship advice. But as with everything else Dad had ever said to him, he would open his eyes, heart and mind. Part of him couldn’t help wondering if he’d already been given a sign.

*

Kelly turned herSUV into Tate’s driveway late Friday afternoon. Two large cement peaches sat on either side of the entryway. A large sign overhead proclaimed she was entering Prentices’ Peach Farm.

Keeping one hand on the steering wheel, she wiped the other one down the side of her skirt.

Why was she so nervous?

It wasn’t like she hadn’t spoken to the man before. So what if they’d gotten into each other’s personal space and she’d wondered what it might be like to kiss him? Mom had said he’d come in for another lot of flowers yesterday, just as he’d said he would. She didn’t know why she’d hoped he wouldn’t. Why she hoped their encounter a few days ago had meant something. Whatever happened the other day needed to be ignored and forgotten. Why was she even giving it any thought? Tate wasn’t the man for her, regardless of what her body might be telling her. There was a festival to plan, and sitting in a leather folder beneath her handbag was her tablet with various designs she hoped to be able to incorporate in the event.

The road she traversed was lined with oak trees, their foliage lush and the branches stretched across the driveway as if reaching out to touch each other. The effect was like driving through a tunnel. After a short distance, it opened up to the main house. Even though she’d lived most of her life in Sweet Ridge, she hadn’t ventured on to the Prentices’ property. She was a year older than Trey, the oldest Prentice son, so she hadn’t associated with him too much at school. She’d been focused on getting the necessary grades to get into a good college so she could leave the stifling confines of small-town life behind. How funny that she now loved living back in Sweet Ridge.

The Prentices’ main house was a two-story Colonial. A large porch wrapped around the lower floor. Even from a distance she could make out the porch swing tucked into the corner. In her opinion, it wasn’t a house unless there was a swing on the front porch. Sadly, her house didn’t have one, if she got married, their forever home would have a wraparound verandah so she could get her swing.

As she pulled up to the front of the property, the door swung open and Tate came out to stand against the white wooden railing.

Kelly killed the engine and closed her eyes, centering herself before gathering up her things to get out of the car.

The door opened before she could grasp the handle, and she gasped in surprise, her heart beating a little faster than it had been a few seconds ago. “Give a girl a little warning.”

Tate chuckled and the sound trickled down her spine like a raindrop sliding down a window. “Sorry, I thought you saw me.”

“Yes, I saw you as you exited your house, not actually coming up to my car,” Kelly grumbled as she stepped out, the action bringing her closer to Tate. Again the scent of sunshine, peaches, and earth mingled together and wafted around her, tempting her to lean in a little closer and inhale again.

She definitely needed to go on a date or something. Maybe she should head up to Houston, look up an old work colleague and go out and have some fun. Yet, the second she finished the thought she discarded it. Nothing good would come of visiting the past. Her dad had always told her to look forward because it was a vast openness just ready to be filled with wonderful adventures. He believed the past was in the rearview mirror for a reason.

“Kelly? Would you like to come inside and have some iced tea before we walk the grounds?”

Get a grip, Kelly. Think business. Not your woeful dating life.

“Sure, that would be great.” She plastered on a smile and gripped her tablet a little tighter.

Tate walked beside her, and she concentrated on keeping her breaths nice and even.

“After you,” he said as he stood to the side to allow her to enter the house.

A cool breeze from the air conditioner flowed over her and she was grateful for it. She needed something to cool her down. She could blame the sudden spike in her body’s temperature on the warm Texas sun, but she’d be lying to herself. The strange heat zipping through her was caused by the man beside her.

Even after she’d just given herself a mental lecture, her body had vastly different ideas.

“Oh, wow, this is gorgeous, Tate,” Kelly gushed as she gazed at the foyer.

The area was open and a grand staircase was off to the right, leading up to the second floor. The cathedral ceilings gave the house an open and welcoming feeling. The hardwood floors gleamed and she caught the slight hint of lemon furniture polish lingering in the air.

“Thanks. We had the floors sanded and re-varnished last year. They were scratched up pretty bad. With three boys, it was pretty hard to keep them looking good.”

“Well, whoever did it, they did a fantastic job.”

“Thanks, we’re happy with it. Follow me, the kitchen is this way.”

There was something about the house that called to Kelly. She couldn’t name what it was, but it was like the house was opening itself up to her and inviting her in. As they walked to the kitchen, she spied a large living room off to the left and a couple of closed doors to the right. They probably led to a half bathroom and, most likely, Tate’s father’s office.