Ann Evans - The Midwife's Glass Slipper / Best For the Baby - The Midwife's Glass Slipper

Tessa smiled fondly at Emily. “She’s one of our favorite babysitters.”

“How old are your children?” Jared asked.

Emily was grateful he was keeping the conversation going.

Tessa let Vince answer. “Natalie is fourteen months. Sean is ten months. You should bring the girls over sometime. The four of them would probably have a great play session.”

Emily watched Jared to see if he was open to the suggestion. To her surprise, he said, “That would be great. Amy and Courtney go to preschool now, but that’s only for three days a week.”

“What about tomorrow?” Tessa asked. “We can try out our new grill. Are you free?” she asked Emily.

Emily felt awkward. She didn’t want Jared to feel forced to spend time with her. She wasn’t sure what to say. “Yes, I’m free, but—” She glanced at Jared. “You three have a lot in common with your kids. I don’t want you to feel as if you have to invite me…” She trailed off.

Tessa looked from Emily to Jared. “I’m not playing matchmaker. I just thought we might all have a good time.”

Jared stepped into the awkwardness and covered Emily’s hand with his. Tingles swept up her arm. “I enjoy Emily’s company and I’m sure with four kids around we can use her help keeping them on an even keel.”

A three-piece band had been setting up and as they began playing couples headed to the dance floor.

Jared asked Emily, “Would you like to dance?”

“It’s been so long since I’ve been on a dance floor, I don’t know if I remember how.”

“It’s like riding a bicycle,” he teased, stood and offered her his hand. She took it, rising to her feet. With her hand in Jared’s, she felt…excited but safe. Her breaths quickened as she anticipated being held in his arms once more.

On the dance floor, they stood in the ballroom dancing position, a good six inches apart. Then he gave her a crooked smile, pulled her a little closer and wrapped his fingers tighter around hers.

Her breasts against his chest, her cheek against the fabric of his suit, she inhaled his cologne and felt almost dizzy from just being so close.

After the first verse of the song, Jared asked, “Why would you think I wouldn’t want you to go with me to Tessa and Vince’s?”

“Do you?” she asked, holding her breath.

“Yes.” His fingers moved against hers. “But it’s much safer for us to be in a crowd like this, or to be with another couple with kids around.”

Safer.

Now his eyes were serious. “I don’t want to hurt you. I told you I don’t want to get involved with anyone again. I never intend to remarry. Once was enough.”

He was so certain. Her hopes for more than one night, for a committed relationship dissolved. Yet maybe if she told him how she felt…“You and I both came through a divorce, but I guess I feel differently about it. I’d like to have a second chance at finding real happiness.”

“I’d rather just be content.”

She couldn’t argue with him about that, but she wanted more than contentment. She wanted to share her life, share her thoughts, share her dreams. But Jared didn’t. He was making himself perfectly clear.

For a short while, they simply danced. Jared’s firm guidance made it easy, though her heart raced at the slide of his fingers down her back, the pressure of his palm against hers. The expression on his face told her serious passion could develop between them if he let it.

Would he let it? Would she?

One song segued into the next and the dance floor became more crowded. Jared brought Emily closer to him. When she looked up, her lips were very near his cheek. The nerve in his jaw worked and she thought she could feel the thumping of his heart. Maybe the sensation was hers pounding even harder.

“You wanted to know why I was so quiet tonight when I picked you up.” His voice was low…intimate.

“I wondered if you regretted asking me to come tonight. ”

Leaning back slightly, he studied her, then shook his head. “Your ex-husband must have done a number on you. Any man would be glad to escort you.”

She felt herself blushing.

“You’re part of the reason why I was quiet. It’s not because I don’t want to be with you, because I do.”

“What’s the other part?”

“My mind’s on a discussion I had with my mother this afternoon.”

“She’s in rehab now?”

“Yes. And she’s making progress. But she’s worried. She’s worried she’ll be a burden rather than an asset when she comes home. She’s thinking that maybe after rehab, she should go into an assisted-living facility.”

“But you don’t think she should.”

“Only if that’s what she really wants. I think she’s just frustrated with not recovering more quickly, and after another week or so, she’ll be stronger. I also think she’ll be happier if she lives with us. If she can’t take care of the girls, I’ll hire a nanny. But I think it’s better for her to be with us than to be alone in a tiny apartment.”

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