Ring Out the Old (Twelves Months of Romance - January) Read online

  “Pretty strong for such a little guy, aren't you?” said Jen, smiling at the dog trying to get at the food in the bags.

  “Can I help you with those bags?” he asked Jen, trying to get the conversation back on track. He figured they were both talking to the dog instead of each other because they'd said so much last night.

  “I've got them okay. Besides, I think you have your hands full.” Jen nodded at the dog. “If you tighten up on that leash I think you'll have a better chance of controlling him.”

  “Good idea. So far, he's been controlling me.” Billy nodded at the bags in Jen's arms. “Coming or going?”

  “A little of both, I guess,” Jen laughed. “I'm coming from my house and going to your house.”

  “That wouldn't be breakfast, would it?” Billy asked hopefully.

  “It will be when I cook it.”

  “Good, because we're starved.”

  Billy led the way into the house, taking the bags from her once Angelo had run inside.

  “What have you got in here?” he asked, surprised at the weight of the bags.

  “I brought my own pans and things. I wasn't sure what you had here.”

  “Good thinking,” he grinned, putting the pots on the stove for her.

  “I'll get that. Why don't you start the coffee?” she told him, hanging up her coat and scarf.

  “And then get out of your way?”

  “You don't get off that easily, mister,” she laughed. “There are placemats and dishes in that bag. You can set the table.”

  “Yes, ma'am,” Billy grinned. He couldn't help himself, although he knew he had to look pretty sappy, grinning like an idiot all over the place. This was what life was all about: working together in the heart of the home to fix breakfast, a frisky dog inhaling his kibble.

  The only thing missing was the three kids, Nat, Nic, and Davey. He had no illusions they would be sitting peacefully down to breakfast, but that was all part of it, too. That's what made a family.

  Jen was smiling inside as she put the water on to boil for oatmeal. Smiling deep down inside; something she couldn't remember doing in a very long time.

  She could picture them so clearly in this kitchen, five years from now, ten years, twenty years. Surrounded by kids and grandkids, not to mention Angelo's descendants.

  The table was set, and Billy couldn't hold back. Not when Jen was standing at his stove and cooking his breakfast. Not when just her presence had changed the kitchen from a beautiful, functional room to a place of warmth and love and home.

  “How do you like your eggs?” Jen asked, looking over her shoulder. He was much closer than she'd realized, and looking down at her with longing mixed with determination.

  The egg Jen had been cracking slid out of fingers gone numb and splattered on the floor. But all she had eyes for was the man, cupping her face with his strong hands.

  “Jen,” he whispered. “How do you like the kitchen?”

  That question in such a situation should have seemed ridiculous, but Jen knew instinctively what Billy was really asking her.

  A sense of completeness filled her with warmth, as if she'd come home. The man, the oatmeal bubbling in the pan, the dog lapping up the forgotten egg. All was finally right with her world.

  Jen nodded happily, lifting her face for Billy's kiss. Words from one of her favorite movies flashed through her mind. For her, they were words of hope and renewal.

  Ring out the old, ring in the new, ring-a-ding-ding.

  *****

  Coming January 20, 2013

  Twelve Months of Romance

  February

  My Lonely Heart

  It’s Valentine’s Day and Holly is alone again. Darren is away on business as usual and Holly doesn’t know how she’s going to get through the day. But with some sage advice from the rehab center’s favorite patient, 85 year-old Mary, Holly just might find a way to save her marriage.

  Thank you for reading Ring Out the Old. I hope you enjoyed the story. If so, I would appreciate it if you would post a review on the website where you purchased this book.

  I invite you to visit my virtual bookshelf at http://www.jobreepublishing.com where you will also find my contact information. If you would like to be notified when new titles are released, please send me your e-mail address which will not, of course, be published or used for any other purpose.

  Margaret Lake