“My place?” She’d never had this sort of conversation with her own mother, Lily realized.

“Oh none of that nonsense about a woman’s place. A woman’s place is wherever she chooses. No, I mean the place you’re meant to be. People like to think on marriage or love as something that weighs you down. Holds you back. Marriage is an anchor, but in the best ways it can be said. You’re a beautiful, smart woman who cares about her family. Right there makes you better than three-quarters of the people on this old earth. Love takes work. Oh sure, you can love someone without trying. But when things get rough, if you don’t love someone right down to your toes, it’s way too easy to up and leave when they muck things up. And my goodness, they’re men, it’s part of who they are.”

Anyone else and that statement would have seemed dour and maybe even bitter. But from Polly Chase it made sense.

“He’s Chris’s teacher.”

“He looks at you like you’re the best thing he’s ever seen. I’ve been knowing that boy some time now. I’ve seen lots and lots of ladies.” She paused a moment and then snorted. “Females, don’t know about ladies. Anyway, I’ve seen lots of them sniffing around or on his arm. I’ve never seen him look at a one as if he knew every single detail of her face when he closed his eyes. That’s how he looks at you. Anyway, school year will be over soon. And then what’ll your excuse be?”

That was a good question.

She had a great time, as did Chris, she noted. He played with the younger kids a while, but once the men invited him to play cards, he was totally happy. It’d do him good to have some strong, smart men in his life.

“He looks like he’s having a good time.” Beth approached with a soda and handed it Lily’s way.

“He does. Heck, how can he not be? He eats nonstop, and the combo between Tate and Mrs. Chase’s cooking is magic. Hell, I ate so much food I’m just content to sort of sprawl here on this chair and digest until he’s done and wants to go look at girls and have another meal.”

Beth laughed and sat next to Lily. “I’m glad you’re back.”

“Me too.”

“You don’t miss your life in Macon?”

“I miss having my own house, yes. Having to live with your mother is not always special and fun. But I have some privacy and I’ll look for a place of my own once summer arrives and I can judge Chris’s school progress on my own. It’s important he knows I’m here for the long haul.”

“I can see that. I can run Chris over to the Shack if you want to stay here.”

“Oh, so I can make out with Nathan in the middle of the yard there?” Lily pointed.

Beth laughed and swatted her hand down. “So you can talk with him. He’s dying to get you all to himself. But do you see how well he’s doing by not sniffing around after you while Chris is here?”

When Nathan had first discovered his little sister’s best friend was a woman instead of an annoying girl—he’d charmed her. Overwhelmed her with the hottest seduction she was sure she’d ever experience. But this lying-in-wait thing he was doing now was even hotter. She knew he was keeping an eye on her. Tracking her as she moved through the party. He’d sat in whatever group she’d been in multiple times, but he’d not done anything overtly romantic to her in Chris’s presence.

But he’d sat extra close a few times. Had brushed past her, trailing his fingertips down the back of her arm. Driven her all sorts of nuts. And he knew it.

Chris turned and looked to his watch and found her. Lily stood and went over to where he was. “Hey. You still want me to take you over to the Shack?”

“That’d be cool. Thanks.” He unfolded his long lanky self to stand and took a moment to look around. “Thanks, Matt, for having me over today.”

Matt Chase smiled. “Of course. Any time, Chris. And remember to talk to your teacher about the internship thing. I’m happy to sponsor you if you decide to check out firefighting as a career.”

“Thanks! Mr. Murphy, see you tomorrow I guess.”

“Definitely.” Nathan’s smile warmed up all sorts of places.

“I’m going to go say goodbye to everyone,” he told her.

“Good idea. Thank-yous too. I’ll get my purse and meet you back out here in a few minutes.”

He was gone before she finished speaking, and she said her own goodbyes on the way to the house. Where Nathan waited in the dark quiet of the guest bedroom which just so happened to also be the place her purse was. Lying in wait. Sneaky.

She jumped, startled. “Jeeezalou! You scared the crap out of me.”

“I’ve been watching you all afternoon.” He stepped to her and her heart pounded.

“You have? Why?”

And then his mouth was on hers. Again.

This kiss wasn’t sweet and slow like the one outside her car. This one was hot and wet. A gnash of teeth and lips. His tongue owned her mouth. His hands on her skin, hauling her closer as he kissed her senseless.

He nipped her lip, and she moaned at the sharp, shock of sensation, the pleasure bordering right on pain. A shiver ran through her as he deepened the kiss, pulling her close, his c**k at her belly.

It’d been a long time since she’d wanted someone this much. She wished…well she wished a lot of things, mainly right then she wished they were in a place where she could reach down the front of his pants and grab his cock.