Chapter 2

Lonnie's POV

The rehearsal went well without any problems, and I couldn't wait to get a chance to talk to Harper alone away from prying eyes. We've been sneaking looks at each other all evening, but the grin I'm getting from Bubba tells me that he's onto our game. Damn. So much for keeping things on the low=down. All I need is for Parker to find out and I'll be royally screwed.

Towards the end of the rehearsal, Harper made her way up to the baby grand piano and began to play and sing. I had no idea she could play….or sing for that matter. Her voice could rival LuAnn's, and that is hard to do. Apparently Tracy knew about her talent and had asked her to do this song a friend of theirs wrote and sang for her own wedding a few years ago. I know my mouth had to be hanging wide open as Harper's soulful voice filled the sanctuary. It's just one more thing that makes her so irresistible to me. She looked almost embarrassed when the song was over and noticed everyone staring at her in amazement. I flashed a grin and a wink in hopes of making her feel a little better.

I hope after all this, we can get a few minutes to talk and see where all this is headed. If I'm reading into it right, I hope we can start over. The only problem is that she lives and works in Jackson, which is 40 minutes away. I'll cross that bridge later. Right now I just want to have a chance to manage a date with her before she has to leave for Jackson again.

After the rehearsal was over, the wedding party made its way over to the McGuffy house for the rehearsal dinner, which thankfully didn't last too long. Harper was actually waiting for me as everyone had made their way out of the banquet room and on their way home.

"I'm not ready to call it a night just yet. You?" she inquired shyly.

"No, I'm not either. Actually, uh, I'd like to get a chance to talk, ya know, catch up and stuff", I stammered nervously.

"Well, the bar in the lounge is still open. Let's get a drink and head out to the porch. That big porch swing out there looks pretty comfortable", she said hooking her arm into mine. I could feel my heart rate pick up at her close proximity. How pitiful is that?

We both grab a beer and head out to the porch and take a seat on the padded porch swing. I take note of how close to me Harper sits. Our legs are just shy of touching each other and you can cut the sexual tension with a knife.

"So, I hear your flyin' around with AirCare these days. You like it?" I begin.

"I love it!" , she gushes. "I never thought I'd leave the CVICU, but I had a friend of mine that flies with them and she got me an interview, and I haven't looked back since. I still can't believe I'm doing this sometimes", she admitted.

"Doesn't that bother you at all? Flying, I mean?" I asked her as I slung my arm behind her on the swing.

"No, not at all. It's a pretty smooth ride for the most part, and when you get busy with a patient in the back, your mind definitely focused on other things"

"Yeah, I bet that's pretty intense stuff"
"Enough about me though. What about you, detective?" "That's pretty impressive, I gotta say", she smiles scooting in closer to me so our legs and shoulders are touching. I'm going to have a heart attack if this keeps up.

"I'm still making my way through everything. Virgil left me with some pretty big shoes to fill, but I'm starting to get more comfortable in his seat", I grin.

"I hear you're working on your Master's too. Smart guy", she teases, poking my side and laughing when I flinch inward. She apparently remembers how ticklish I am, which is something that I would like to keep secret as well. It's embarrassing and can only be used against me.

"Hey! Don't do that!" I laughed grabbing her hand. "You heard right, I am"

Our faces were inches from each other and I knew at that very moment that I wanted nothing more than to kiss her. We both leaned in toward each other, and when our lips finally did touch, it was even better than I had remembered. Her lips were soft against mine, as our hands sought out each other in the most amazing kiss one could ever imagine. Eventually, we needed to break for air, and as we parted our foreheads met, and we were both left almost breathless.

"Wow", she said, grinning wildly at me.

"I second that", I say matching her smile. "I can't believe we just did that", I say backing away slightly to sit sideways in the swing and face her.

"Me either, but I'm glad we did. Lonnie, I've waited for this for a long time", she said taking my hands.

"Yeah, me too", I say looking at our joined hands.

"So what happens now?"

"I know what I want to happen", I say leaning in to kiss her again.

"Yeah me too, but for now we should get some rest, it's going on midnight. We gotta big day tomorrow"

"I know", I said dejectedly as we stood up, our hands still joined as I walked her back to her room.

"We'll pick this up tomorrow, I promise", she says kissing my cheek and slipping into her room.

I let out a breath and lean my back up against her closed door. I'm trying not to fall to hard, to fast, but I'm not sure I can stop myself. Rarely do girls like Harper Ryan come along once in a lifetime, let alone twice, and I'm not making the mistake of letting her slip away again. I once thought Lana was the love of my life, but looking back, I realize it's been her all along….