A Reunion And A Ring (Proposals & Promises Book 1) by Gina Wilkins

an amusing memory occurred to her. “Remember when your sister’s little white poodle tore into a whole carton while we were outside watching July Fourth fireworks at your parents’ house? We came back inside to find paper and cellophane and crumbs everywhere and the poor dog had peanut butter smeared all over her face. Holly got hysterical thinking her pet was going to die, but fortunately the dog got more in her fur than her belly.”
    Gavin chuckled wryly. “Mom insisted on rushing the dog to an emergency animal clinic, just in case. We were going to have homemade ice cream after watching the fireworks, but it had all melted by the time the crisis was over. You know, that dog lived to be fifteen. Just died a couple years ago.”
    “What was its name again? I can’t remember.”
    Gavin made a face. “BiBi. I can’t forget because it ran off from Mom’s house one day when she was dog-sitting while Holly was out of town, just before Christmas. Mom called me in tears. I had to drive slowly around her neighborhood in my cruiser, calling the stupid name from my open window. ‘Here, BiBi. C’mere, BiBi.’ I felt like an idiot. It was sleeting. Took me an hour to find the half-frozen mutt, and then it had the nerve to pee on me when I picked it up.”
    She couldn’t help laughing. He’d have hated every minute of that episode—but for his mother and sister, he’d have done it with only token grumbles. “That is too funny.”
    “Glad you think so,” he muttered, though his lips twitched.
    For a moment, she was swept back again to the early days of their romance, which had been filled with laughter. Her smile faded as she returned abruptly to the present. Leaning casually against the counter, Gavin gazed down at her, his eyes gleaming in the shadowy light. She felt the hairs on her arms rise, as if the air between them charged suddenly with static. She really needed to stop those mental flashbacks before they got entirely out of control.
    Did Gavin sense the change, as well? His eyes narrowed, and even the hint of amusement vanished, leaving his face carved again into hard, inscrutable lines.
    He grabbed a couple more packets of crackers and turned away. “I’m going back out. Rest awhile, if you want . I can handle things out there.”
    She released a long, unsteady breath when the front door closed behind him. Wow, that had turned quickly. She’d just been reminded all too vividly of how quickly the laughter in their youthful relationship had dissolved into tears. She was annoyed to realize the memories could still sting, even after all these years, even after she’d long since assured herself she was over it.
    She was tempted to stay safely inside while he continued the cleanup. Because that made her feel cowardly, she lifted her chin and refused to give in to the impulse. She reached for her borrowed work gloves and headed for the door. The sooner the road was cleared, the sooner this blast from the past would be over.

Chapter Three
    A lmost an hour later, most of the branches were off the tree trunk and dragged to the side of the road. Jenny felt her muscles protesting the hard labor, and she suspected she would be sore tomorrow. She kept a close watch on Gavin, noting his face grew tighter as their work progressed. He was obviously favoring his right arm, certainly making an effort not to exacerbate the injury, but she could tell he was hurting and that he was overdoing it regardless. Yet, he’d tried to assure her he could handle this on his own. Right.
    They were both panting after dragging and shoving yet another limb into the now-full ditch. Jenny wasn’t sure if the moisture on her face was due more to perspiration or the mist that was beginning to fall more heavily now, making the ground slick beneath her sneakers. She slid on a patch of leaves, did a little flailing dance, then planted her heels firmly in the dirt to anchor herself. Gavin applauded, his sawdust-covered gloves thudding dully