Cape Cod Promises: Love on Rockwell Island by Bella Andre, Melissa Foster

instinctively reached for Reese’s hand as they headed down a wide hallway. “How often do you teach here now?”
    “Once a week, at least,” she said as they came to the game room. “Don’t hold my hand in here. It’s hard for me to concentrate when you do.”
    “You do realize that makes it even more tempting.”
    She glared at him, but there was a hint of humor in her eyes. As he followed her into the game room, he fantasized about how fun it would be to watch her squirm with desire. But Trent knew he was getting ahead of himself. Just because she was still reeling from their almost kiss, just as he was, that did not give him permission to act like she was his, no matter how much he wished that she were.
    “Reese!” A bald man waved from a table, where he was playing cards with two women and another man, who was sitting in a wheelchair.
    A television played loudly on the left side of the room, across from a couch, where there were another two women sitting beside each other.
    “Hi, Morris,” Reese said as she walked toward him. “Hi, Norma,” she said to a gray-haired woman who was watching them with inquisitive eyes. “Are you playing bridge?”
    “Nope. Strip poker. Want to join us?” Morris winked at Trent.
    Reese laughed. “Not tonight, but thanks for the invite.”
    Trent noticed that two women sitting at the next table were watching them with interest, too.
    “Reese, don’t you want to introduce us to your gentleman friend?” Norma asked.
    “Of course.” Reese held Trent’s gaze for a beat too long, and he knew she was trying to figure out how to introduce him. “This is Trent Rockwell.” Not her ex-husband and not her almost-date for the night, either. Just his name. “Trent, this is Morris and Norma Rickenbacker.”
    Trent held out a hand to shake Morris’s. “Nice to meet you both.” He took Norma’s hand between both of his and held it for a moment. “Does your granddaughter Katie own the florist shop in town?”
    “Yes, she does,” Norma said. “You were in school together, weren’t you?”
    After he said that he had been, the two women from across the room called out, “Reese?”
    “Hi, ladies. How are you tonight?”
    “We’re fine, but aren’t you going to introduce us, too? I’m Martha,” one of the women said to him.
    “Hi, Martha.” Trent went to greet her as Reese asked where Tilly was.
    “And I’m Carin,” the darker-haired woman said. “Are you two on a date?”
    Before answering, Trent turned to see if Reese wanted to chime in, but she was crouched between Norma and Morris, talking with the couple.
    “I sure hope so,” he finally answered. He answered several more questions about himself and then Martha interrupted.
    “Reese is really sweet.”
    “Yes, she is,” Trent agreed.
    “And pretty, don’t you think?” Carin added.
    “Gorgeous.” Clearly, these women were intent on a little matchmaking, which he was all for.
    “Don’t forget smart.” Morris tapped his finger on his forehead. “Our Reese is a very bright woman.”
    Trent turned to agree just as Reese rose to her feet and looked toward the entrance to the room.
    “Tilly!” Reese went to greet a tall black woman who was pushing a walker into the room.
    Tilly’s eyes lit up when she saw Reese. Reese embraced her, and Tilly closed her eyes while returning the hug. It was obvious how much both of them treasured their friendship.
    “I didn’t expect to see you tonight, Reese,” Tilly said, eyeing Trent with questions in her eyes.
    “I promised to bring you this book.” Reese walked with her over to an armchair by the television, and Tilly lowered herself into the chair.
    “It looks like you brought more than a book. Who is this handsome man?” Tilly coughed and pulled a tissue from the sleeve of her thick sweater.
    “Are you getting a cold?” Reese’s eyes filled with concern.
    “It’s nothing.” Tilly stuffed the tissue back into her sleeve. “Just a little cold.” Tilly