As relaxing as yardwork was, there was no escaping the fact that he’d just dodged a bullet.  On second thought, make that<i><u>they’d</u></i>just dodged a bullet.  A far more calming influence woulda been a hike in the woods, but he had to drive to those locations in order to do that.<br/><br/><i>Yeah, and let’s not forget what happened the last time you two went on a so-called hike, Old Man.  Hike my ass.  You were hiking all over and inside of Charlette, more like.</i><br/><br/>Paul rolled his eyes as he put the finishing touches on the hedge by the rear fence.  In all honesty, he was more than just a little relieved at that pregnancy test turning out negative.  He wasn’t so sure Charlette shared those sentiments.  Disappointment for her crossed his mind after she announced the test’s results.<br/><br/>But, she was still in nursing school.  Where would she find the time to study and homework and taking care of an infant?  Of course, he’d definitely do his part as far as child care was concerned.  No way would he be a deadbeat dad.<br/><br/><i>Well, you can always bang her again and knock her up properly, Old Man.</i><br/><br/>So.  Not.  Helping.<br/><br/>Deliberating on what greenery to attack next, it was then that he heard the wolf-whistle, immediately followed by a sensuous "Hey, handsome."  Paul chuckled with amusement, only now realizing he’d been spied upon.  He turned toward her just in time to see Charlette’s playful wink.<br/><br/>Paul dropped the shears on the grass and strolled her way, fanning himself with his t-shirt which he’d earlier taken off.  As he drew nearer, she complimented him on the yard and then apologized.  She’d left him some room, so he sat on the same lounge chair as her, shaking his head while doing so.<br/><br/>“You don’t have anything to apologize for, Charlette,” he stated, speaking the truth.  “It was a pretty tense moment.  I totally get it.”  He pinched her glass of lemonade for a pair of sips before returning it to the table.  Paul wiped his sweaty brow with the shirt and smiled at her.<br/><br/>Charlette’s interruption couldn’t have come at a better time.