The Promise of Rainbows Read Free

mid-January, there was more than average humidity in the air. And it was fifty-two degrees outside. In the South, weather was as unpredictable as an elderly relative—the kind who perched on the front porch and held court, spouting wisdom or crazy notions.
    She was checking her lipstick when she caught sight of Jake coming down the front steps. His creamy-white three-story house boasted dormer windows, black shutters, and a red gabled roof. Like most of the houses in Dare River, it featured a traditional wrap-around porch. She wondered if Jake ever sat on the red-cushioned porch swing or the oak table in the right corner of the house and played his soulful country music.
    As she stepped out of her Audi, she forced herself to meet his cobalt blue gaze. He’d stopped six feet away from her—almost as if he’d intentionally decided not to come any closer. Today he had on a simple button-down navy shirt and faded jeans that hugged the defined muscles of his legs. His signature silver belt buckle engraved with a stag winked in the sunlight.
    The punch of attraction that rocked through her was unwelcome. Why did she feel so drawn to him? It was so unfair given the fact that he didn’t seem to like her that way.
    His sandy blond hair curled at the ends, giving him a softer look. She had a hard time imagining what his hair must have looked like when he was in the Army. The military cut would have made him look fierce and likely unapproachable. Then there was the way he moved—like the brave soldier he’d been. No sauntering or strutting for Jake. There was purpose and grace in each movement he made.
    “Hi,” she made herself say.
    “Hey,” he answered, his smile completely open and engaging now. “Welcome to Redemption Ridge.”
    Her brow winged up. “I didn’t know you’d named your property.”
    He lifted a shoulder. “Some people around here do, so I decided why not me? I just didn’t put a sign out front.”
    Redemption. The word settled over her as she studied him. What did he feel he needed redemption from? Having heard his music, she guessed it was from the war. There were still shadows in his eyes when he sang about it.
    “I like your place,” she said, turning to scan his property. “Tammy did an incredible job with the grounds.”
    “She did,” he agreed, and with that, he finally came to stand beside her, though he maintained a good amount of distance between them. “She pushed pretty hard to plant everything before the first frost. I can’t wait until everything comes up out of the earth and blooms in spring. It’s going to be spectacular. You’re lucky to have her in the family.”
    Even though Tammy hadn’t yet officially married Susannah’s brother, John Parker, or J.P. as they called him, she and her two kids were already family. “Yes, we’re incredibly blessed by them.”
    He took a few more steps until he was standing closer to her, almost as if the family talk had made him more comfortable. “You have a wonderful family.”
    “I do indeed.” She looked him straight in the eye. There was something in his voice. Up close, she noticed the dark smudges under his eyes. “You look tired. Were you up late working on a song?”
    He kicked at the ground, breaking eye contact. “Maybe. I didn’t sleep too well last night.”
    She knew a forbidden subject when she heard it. “Why don’t you show me around?”
    He extended his hand to her, and her gaze lowered. His palm looked so open and inviting, but his hand clenched an instant later, as if he’d only then realized what he was doing. She looked up to meet his eyes.
    What is he thinking?
    The memory of how that hand had felt wrapped around hers washed over her. He’d held her hand during the preview of her art for the concert to benefit abused women, and in that long, delicious moment, she’d been unable to tell where his hand began and hers ended. Never before had she felt like she’d melded into someone else. Afterward, she’d