Read a Romance!
Amy wasn’t looking for romance, but her improbable meeting with Jim was a nice surprise!
My mind wasn’t on the fact that it was Monday as I parked my car and walked around the construction on Main Street to get to work. I was thinking about Sunday and the Barrett family reunion. The yearly event always brought out my insecurities as my very large family evaluated my life.
I was deep in work when I heard the crash. I raced outside to find my old sedan totaled, its front end resting under a cement truck. Stunned, I stepped closer to peer inside.
“Careful, ma’am,” a deep voice said. I turned, and the blue eyes of a man with a yellow hard hat met my gaze.
“I’m sorry. The gear jammed, and the driver couldn’t stop. The company’s insurance will pay for everything.”
Our eyes met, and I was warmed by his tender gaze
Monday night, I chose to walk home, thankful I wasn’t in the car when it was hit.
Tuesday morning, I found the insurance paperwork and a bouquet of daisies on my desk with a note: Sincerest apologies, Stevens Construction. Across the bottom was a signature: Jim Stevens
I had barely crossed the street, headed home on Wednesday, when I heard my name called. It was him. Who could forget that voice? “Miss Barrett?” “Amy,” I said absently. I was mesmerized by the hard hat’s blue eyes. “Thanks for the daisies.”
“Jim Stevens, and you’re welcome.” He hesitated. “May I give you a lift?”
“I like walking,” I said. “But thank you.”
Jim Stevens caught me again after work on Thursday. “You received the check, right?”
“I don’t think an insurance company has ever worked that fast,” I commented.
He grinned. “I may have nudged them a little.”
By Friday, wilted petals from my bouquet began to fall. I was unable to concentrate with the reunion looming. Then, too, my thoughts kept wandering to a certain hard hat with blue eyes
On Saturday morning, I was mixing the ingredients for a cake when the phone rang. “Amy, this is Jim Stevens.” I nearly dropped the phone in the batter. “Hi,” I answered.
“I wondered if perhaps I could buy you dinner.”
“Do you do this every time your company’s truck totals a car?”
“Mine is a small company. This is the first big accident we’ve had. I’m really sorry.”
“So, you’re feeling guilty?”
“Probably. But that’s not why I’m asking you to dinner. I’d really like to get to know you.”
“Perhaps I can interest you in a picnic,” I said.
“Absolutely. What time can I pick you up?”
Sunday afternoon, I scanned the horizon. Not a hint of rain. I couldn’t back out of my impulsive decision.
“Where are we going?” Jim asked as he helped me load cakes into the car.
“It’s a surprise,” I said not daring to meet his eyes.
We pulled onto a shady lane with old homes. Cars were parked along every space.
“Welcome to the Barrett family reunion. This is my aunt’s house. It’s been in the family for about two hundred years.”
Taking a deep breath, I led him across the lawn to meet my family. He was immediately snagged to replace my brother in a serious game of flag football while I was grilled by my family as usual.
When my aunt called that dinner was ready, Jim rescued me, and we brought our food to the porch glider.
“Great party,” he said. “I wish I had such a large and caring family.”
“What? No Great-aunt Rose to ask about your dating life? No Uncle Teddy to offer unsolicited career advice?”
“No. It’s just me and a few distant cousins who live hundreds of miles away.” He gestured at our surroundings with a sweep of his hand. “This is all pretty wonderful.”
Suddenly, I saw things from his point of view. The annual family interrogations were a sign they cared about me, not that I wasn’t measuring up. I smiled, appreciating the wisdom of his words.
“You’re pretty wonderful too, Amy.” Jim smiled.
Our eyes met, and I was warmed by his tender gaze. “That’s the nicest thing I’ve heard all week.” I set the glider moving, feeling grateful for our improbable encounter.
— Ann M. Janis