Romancing the Tree Hugger - Page 97/120

She sighed and leaned her head back. She didn't need to ask or make the first move. He leaned down and kissed her lips. Then he kissed her cheeks and chin before returning his lips to hers in a long ardent kiss.

Later, when they got back into the car, she resisted the urge to pinch herself to see if this was actually a dream. She had never consciously questioned whether there would be a man in her future. She simply didn't know it was going to be like this.

When they got home, he kissed her good night at the door and squeezed her hand. "After a while, crocodile."

She didn't want him to leave, but it was nearing midnight and Pa wouldn't look favorably on it if she brought him into the house. She stepped close and kissed his lips one last time. "See ya later, alligator."

She watched as he walked back to the car - a tall figure with a jaunty step and only the hint of a limp. She smiled to herself as she opened the door and walked into the house.

The house was dark. Everyone had gone to bed. No one was up waiting on her. Pa said to be home at midnight and he trusted her to do as she was told. It only troubled her for a few minutes that she was a grown woman still obeying her father. It didn't matter who told you to do it. If you knew it was right, you did it.