by Ann Evans
“What were you going to say?”
She looked at him uncertainly for a moment, but her happiness was so great, it seemed as if she might explode if she didn’t share it. Finally, she dug back into the bag and pulled out a piece of paper. “I was going to show you my sonogram,” she said. “But as a guy, you probably don’t want to see it. And I know you don’t approve of all this—”
He plucked it out of her hand. “I’ve never said I didn’t approve of you having a baby. I just think there are better ways to do it. Let me see.”
She leaned closer. He tried to concentrate on the image on the page, the little blob of something that was supposed to be the baby, but the picture blurred as his body reacted to her nearness. The pleasant shampoo smell of her hair. The fragile turn of her neck. He gritted his teeth and tried to ignore the insistent signal he was getting from his loins.
“I know it’s hard to make out,” she said. She pointed to a pale oval that didn’t look like much of anything. “See? That’s his head, and here’s his hand—”
“It’s a boy?”
“I don’t know. I told them not to tell me yet. But I keep thinking it will be a boy. Either way, it doesn’t matter.”
His brow lifted. “It might to the father. Have you heard from him?”
“No,” she said in a small, quiet voice.
He couldn’t tell if she was disappointed by that fact, or merely embarrassed. He supposed that, even after such neglect, she still might want the guy. After all, he was the kid’s father.
Becky had returned to take their orders. As soon as she saw the sonogram image in Zack’s hands, she made a sound of delight and grinned at Alaina. “So Doc Linderman made it official, huh? Congratulations! How far along are you?”
The two women talked for a few minutes. Alaina shared most of the information the doctor had given her. Becky had two young children of her own and was full of advice.
Zack sat quietly and watched Alaina.
Her features seemed to take on a new life as she spoke to Becky about the baby. Her eyes sparkled. Her skin glowed. Everything about her seemed brighter somehow.
It hit him then—the full weight of it. Whatever farfetched dreams he had been entertaining about the two of them only minutes ago disappeared like water through cupped hands. He wanted her, but the foolish fantasy he carried in his head could not happen. This woman had found purpose. No boyfriend, no lover was going to shake her from it.
The baby was real to her now.
The baby was everything.
Eventually Becky took their orders and drifted away.
Alaina sighed. “I know you must be bored to tears. I can’t help it. I still can’t believe it’s going to happen. After all these years, I’m finally going to be a mother. It’s my own little miracle, Zack.”
He looked directly into her eyes. “I’m happy for you, Al.”
She blinked, as though she couldn’t be sure she’d heard correctly. At last she said, “Thank you.” She cleared her throat, avoiding his gaze as she fussed with her napkin. “There’s a reason I was late getting here. I finally called my folks and Maggie to tell them about the baby.”
The news stunned him. “How did they take it?”
“The way you’d expect. Full of reasons why I should come home immediately. Maggie even tried to bribe me.”
“So why don’t you go? Surely you could use some help with the baby, and Jeffrey would know where to find you.”
The way her mouth tightened, he could tell she was unhappy with that idea. “I don’t need to run back to Mommy and Daddy, and Jeffrey can find me here just as easily if he ever bothers to look.”
“Did you tell them you were with me at Heron Cove?”
“Yes. I had to make Maggie swear on her kids’ lives that she wouldn’t get in the car and come up here. She finally agreed to back off, but only because she trusts you to keep me out of trouble.”
He snorted at that comment and glanced away. Her hero. What a joke. How many white knights took one look at their damsel-in-distress and wanted to rip her clothes off?
Alaina seemed to sense his discomfort because she began playing with her silverware. “Besides,” she said, “I have things to do in Lake Harmony, and I’m perfectly happy doing them. I don’t want to go home and have to explain every decision and listen to a million words of wisdom that are probably right, but that I don’t want to hear just now.” He watched her force a smile. “Did you order the new tile for the bathroom?”
“It’s being shipped from Atlanta and should be here in a couple of days.”
“Great.” Her eyes wandered around the room as she took a sip from her water glass. “Lots of people in town,” she observed. “I guess they’ve come for the festival.”
“Probably.”
“I’ve seen the flyers everywhere. Sounds like fun.”
“Would you like to go this afternoon?” he found himself asking, though his head told him it was foolish. The less time they spent together, just the two of them, the easier it would be to get into the car and go back to Miami.
“Why not? The walking would probably do me good.”
“Then it’s a date.”
After a lengthy silence, she caught the edge of her mouth with her teeth and looked up at him. “There’s one more thing I’d like to talk to you about….”
“What?”
“Us.”
Zack flinched. He wasn’t expecting that. “Aren’t you the one who said there was no ‘us’?”
“I did. But I want you to know that I’m so glad we’ve been able to keep it friendly. That we haven’t acted on any of those…impulses we were so afraid of. Overall, I think we’ve done remarkably well, don’t you?”
“God, Al. Were we supposed to keep score?” he asked. He felt like throttling her. “You want to put your hormones and my testosterone in the ring together and see who can come out the winner? How ’bout this? No one’s winning.”
She must have heard the bite in his tone because dusky color bloomed on her cheeks. “That’s not true. I know there have been a few awkward moments, but…” Her nervous smile asked for understanding. “Anyway, I just wanted to say how thankful I am that we’ve been able to salvage our friendship, and how much I appreciate your efforts to…to…”
“Ride herd on my libido?” he offered.
Alaina glanced around, as though worried someone might have heard. “That’s not a very subtle way to put it.”
“You want subtle? Pick a different guy.”
Becky showed up at their table at that moment, her hands full of dishes. She slapped plates down in front of them with expertise if not much grace. She refilled Zack’s coffee, then was gone again.
He lifted his fork, but his appetite had nosedived. He took a swig from his coffee cup, then grimaced. The brew must be from the bottom of the pot. It tasted like rocket fuel. Beside him, Alaina was pushing her omelet around on her plate.
Finally, she set her fork down and looked at him. “Are you angry with me?”
Yes, he wanted to say. Yes. And damn it, I still want you.
He was tempted to tell her that he’d spent days trying to get a handle on things, and it wasn’t doing a bit of good. He’d had hours of shockingly erotic daydreams. His body was in rebellion every time they were within ten feet of one another. No matter how he bullied his emotions, he couldn’t stop thinking about her.
But none of that would have served any purpose except to intensify the awareness between them and make them both more miserable.
Instead, he breathed deeply and tried to will himself to relax. He allowed the corner of his mouth to lift, and even if it wasn’t a very convincing smile, it was the best he could do at the moment. “No, I’m not mad at you,” he told her. “You’re right. We’re all grown up now, and there isn’t a single reason why we can’t continue to keep a leash on things.”
“That’s what you told me when you came to Coachman’s Court, remember? And I know it’s been diffic
ult sometimes, but we’ll get through it, don’t you think?”
“Yeah. I remember what I told you. And we’re doing great. Just great.” He settled back in his seat with a sigh. “Finish your breakfast. Then let’s hit the festival. I’m ready for some uncomplicated fun.”
LAKE HARMONY, like most communities in the mountains of North Georgia, put on an annual harvest celebration that coincided with the changing color of the leaves.
Two blocks from the heart of town, next to one of the largest cornfields in the area, temporary tents had been set up to offer everything from homemade furniture to pony rides for the kids.
There were food and craft vendors, local merchants hawking their best sale items, a bluegrass group playing every hour, and one of the local apple farms offering tractor-pulled hayrides through their orchards. A complicated image of an eagle clutching an American flag had been cut into the dried cornfield, presenting a challenging maze, and though Halloween was still two weeks away, a pumpkin carving contest was going on under the watchful eyes of the Creekside Diner folks.
Alaina loved these home-grown festivities, and she was delighted by Zack’s suggestion that they should go.
With his hand resting lightly on her elbow, he led her down the length of the festival grounds. They stopped to sample boysenberry pies, pumpkin butter and sweet honey still in the comb. Alaina bought a hand-painted door hanger that said Shhh, Baby’s Asleep! even though she recognized that technically she had no door to attach it to. Zack stopped to admire the work of a local photographer who had captured the sunrise over Dogwood Mountain through every season.
Around midafternoon they took a break, finding two seats on a haphazard stack of hay bales under a huge red maple that gave their skin a rosy glow. They drank bottled water and watched the crowd for a few minutes. There were several people carting items from the big tent at the end of the field. An auction that had begun just before lunchtime was still going strong.
A man went by carrying a framed picture of a beach at sunset. It had obviously been hand-painted, and not by anyone with great talent as far as Alaina could tell.
Zack must have agreed. He leaned closer to her. “Whatever he paid for that fiasco, it was much more than it was worth.”
Alaina giggled, then sat up straighter. “Oh my gosh! Does that picture bring back memories? Remember that beach scene that used to hang in my parents’ family room?”
“The one your mother painted when she took those lessons?”
“Yeah. It was so dreadful, with those palm trees that looked like toilet brushes.”
Zack grinned. “And she caught us laughing at it, and wanted to know what was so funny, and I panicked.” He shook his head, clearly remembering every painful moment. “No wonder your folks didn’t like me.”
“They never disliked you. They just thought you weren’t a good influence on me. Your sister was so much more…sensible. But you were always up to some mischief, trying to get Maggie and me to go along, that it scared them. Especially since when you weren’t around, I was always the good, reliable daughter who did whatever she was told.”
He gave her a sideways glance. “Even to the point of ditching me after high school just to please your mom and dad.”
Alaina had been about to take a sip of water, but lowered the bottle so she could give him her full attention. “Zack. You can’t still believe that’s the way it was.”
“No? I must have missed something then, because that’s the way it sounded to me.”
“How would you know? You were yelling too loud to hear anything.”
“I admit I was immature,” he said with a self-deprecating shrug. “But you caved to them, instead of being willing to take a chance with me. That pissed me off big time.”
Alaina slid forward so she could rest her chin in one hand. “I know. And you’re right. Our breakup was mostly my fault, because I couldn’t stand up to Mom and Dad. Not when they were willing to spend so much money for my education. And at the time, they made very valid arguments to all my objections. Including the fact that you were only eighteen years old and had no idea what you wanted out of life.”
Zack looked down at the hay-strewn ground, a contemplative expression on his face. “I know what I want now.”
Alaina was just about to ask him what that might be when a large shadow fell across her. She looked up to find Nit Whit Russell standing in front of them, wearing the same cocky grin she remembered from her time in jail.
“Well, if it isn’t Lake Harmony’s own little burglar,” he said, loudly enough that several people nearby turned to look. “Casing the place for something to steal?”
Alaina was determined not to let anything spoil this day. “Good afternoon, Whit.”
“Deputy Russell,” he corrected. One of the vendors happened to be passing by, and Whit thumped him on the arm, drawing his attention. “Hey, Buck. Watch this one when she hits your booth. She looks harmless, but she’s likely to run off with half your stuff when you’re not paying attention.”
By this time Zack had risen. Apprehension zipped up Alaina’s spine to see the dislike for Whit on his face. “Don’t you have anything better to do today than harass women, Deputy?” he said with steely politeness. “Surely Sheriff Moran needs someone to direct traffic out on the road.”
Russell’s lip curled with equal dislike. “I heard you were still sniffing around Miss Priss here. What’s the deal, Davidson? You like screwing pregnant chicks so you don’t have to worry about getting them knocked up? Or maybe you’re the papa, so it doesn’t matter.”
Alaina stood so quickly that the bottled water fell off her lap. She made a dive for Zack’s arm as he stepped closer to Whit, and thought she could actually feel him buzzing with anger. “Zack…”
“Listen to me very carefully, Whit,” he growled softly, ignoring her. “I like Sheriff Moran, and I like Lake Harmony. But if you keep bothering me or Miss Tillman without just cause, I’ll sue you and this town until there’s not a penny left in the city coffers and you’re living under the bridge by the interstate. You want everyone in Lake Harmony on your ass just because your mouth keeps overshooting your brain?”
Whit went beet-red, but a touch of fear glistened in his eyes. “I’m an officer of the law. There are a dozen ways I could have you arrested.”
“Pick one. But plan on one thing. Before I end up in a jail cell, I’m going to rearrange your face. I remember what your weaknesses are, and this time, I won’t hesitate to exploit them.”
Whit blinked uncertainly, and his breath was coming faster now. “You two think you’re pretty special, don’t you?”
Zack backed away to retrieve Alaina’s things. In the most pleasant voice she had ever heard him use, he said, “I think we’re just trying to enjoy a nice day in the October sunshine. Why don’t you do the same, Deputy?”
In no time Whit decided this was his opportunity to step away from what was sure to be an unpleasant incident. Without another word, he spun on his heel and stalked off.
Relieved that the two men hadn’t come to blows, Alaina settled back on the hay, and Zack soon rejoined her. She felt the heat of his anger as if a blanket had been tossed over her.
After a while, she looked at him. “Would you really sue Lake Harmony?”
He grimaced. “No. But I’d take a great deal of pleasure in rearranging that son of a bitch’s nose.”
“How many times have you been in a fight, Rocky Balboa?”
“Counting the time I decked Nit Whit in the Connors’ boathouse?”
“Yes.”
“One.”
They both laughed at that answer, and suddenly, the pleasure of the gorgeous October day was back.
“I’m sorry that jerk spoiled things,” he said at last.
“He didn’t.”
“Do you want to go?”
“Honestly? No. I know there are things that need to be done back at the cottage, but it’s so lovely here. I could sit forever.”
“The
n we will,” Zack said, and he settled back against the hay.
After a bit of people watching, Alaina spotted Heather Moran. She gingerly carried a child’s antique high chair against her side, and when Alaina called her name and waved her over, she cut through the crowd to join them.
“Hi, you two!” Heather exclaimed, setting down her burden.
“Hi. Zack, you remember Heather?”
He rose and shook her hand. “Sure. Nice to see you again.”
Heather was the sheriff’s oldest daughter, nearly Alaina’s age, and had been a friend to both Tillman girls when they’d come up to Lake Harmony on vacation. She owned an antique shop called Memory Keepers, and had offered Alaina a job before Zack had shown up at Coachman’s Court with his plans for the cottage.
“Why aren’t you at the main tent for the auction?” Heather asked. “We’ve still got a lot of cool stuff to bid on.”
“I don’t think either of us needs any more stuff,” Zack said.
“Nearly every merchant in town has donated, and the money goes to the recreation center.”
Alaina motioned toward the high chair. “Is that what you’re donating?”
“This is already sold. Eighteenth century tigerwood. Pretty rare.”
Alaina stroked her hand along one of the arms. The wood felt warm, like satin, and though there were nicks here and there and worn places along the footrest, it was still a beautiful piece of early American furniture. “It’s lovely,” she murmured.
“I think so, too. Unfortunately, it’s been in my shop for two years without a single nibble. But the director of the museum over in Dahlonega picked it up for one of their farmstead exhibits. So I’m happy to give it a new home.”
“Think of the children who have sat in this chair.”
“It’s amazing it’s held up, considering it’s tigerwood. You don’t get craftsmanship like this anymore. But I know it’s a little primitive for most tastes.”
Alaina looked at Heather and frowned. “How can anyone say that? Can’t they see the love that went into making it?”