by Susan Mason
Chloe was looking forward to the party. All her family and friends would be there. The one drawback would be seeing Aidan again. Chloe sighed, wondering if Maxi had told him she was coming. Probably not. Knowing the way Aidan felt about her, he likely wouldn’t show.
She tried not to let sadness dim her good mood. Lord, give me the strength to face Aidan, especially if he’s with Patricia. Help me to withstand the pain and not ruin the celebration for my friends.
She snapped on the lights and stopped to admire the sparkling room. A sigh of pure satisfaction escaped as she ran her fingers across the oversized, stainless steel refrigerator. With a hard tug, she pulled the door open.
Carefully, she lifted the cake out and set it on the counter. When the bell jangled out front, her heart somersaulted. Even after all this time, Chloe couldn’t keep images of the assault from her mind. Shaking, she plucked a large knife out of the block, and then crouched to peer around the corner into the café.
Aidan?
She shot upright so fast that her feet slipped out from under her. With a thud, she landed on her rear, the knife clattering across the floor. Heat flooded her neck and cheeks. Would she ever stop making a fool of herself in front of him?
His shadow hovered over her. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.” She scrambled to her knees on the cold tiles. “What are you doing here?”
A smile tugged at his lips as he held out a hand to assist her. “Maxi sent me to pick up the cake.”
Frowning, Chloe pulled her hand free. “Why would she do that? She knew I was bringing it with me.” She stifled a groan. “Oh, no. Looks like the matchmaker is at it again.” She ducked back into the kitchen.
“I’m actually glad to have the chance to talk to you alone.” He followed her in. “You’ve done a great job here, Chloe. The bakery is beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Her stomach did flips. She couldn’t bear him being so close, and moved behind the worktable, where she pulled out a large cardboard box and began to pack up the cake.
Regret reflected in his gray eyes. “I owe you a long overdue apology. I reacted badly about the whole situation with Matt and Lindsay. I realize now that you were only trying to protect the kids—and me, as well. I’m just sorry it took me so long to figure that out.”
His words should have brought her such joy, but wisps of sadness curled around her heart. “And I’m sorry I almost got you fired,” she said quietly. “I hope you can forgive me for that.”
“I’m the one who needs forgiveness. For harboring such anger and self-righteousness. I’ve been a real jerk.”
A fierce defensiveness rose in her chest. “You’re not a jerk. You’re an upstanding person who demands the same of the people around him. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
A ghost of a smile hovered. “You make it sound admirable, but unless those qualities are tempered with tolerance and compassion, they’re only superiority in disguise.” He gave a rueful chuckle. “Luckily I have a sister who likes to remind me of my shortcomings.”
“Well, thank you for the apology. It means a lot.” She managed to raise her gaze. “I want you to know I wish you and Patricia all the best.”
A flush spread across his cheeks, and he opened his mouth to speak.
But she turned away, not wanting to hear about his new relationship. She picked up the decorated box and held it out to him. “You’d better get going. Maxi will be waiting.”
Aidan took the box, and then set it back on the counter. “Chloe, wait. There is no Patricia and me.”
“What do you mean? The kids told me you were…together now.”
His eyebrows drew into a frown. “We’ve gone out to dinner a few times, but as friends. I promise you there is nothing romantic between us.”
Chloe fought for equilibrium as she tried to process what he was telling her. Her heart pumped so hard against her ribcage she could scarcely breathe.
Aidan captured one of her hands. “I’ve missed you so much,” he said in a husky voice. “Can you ever forgive my stubborn pride?”
She swallowed the tears burning her throat. “There’s nothing to forgive, Aidan. I only wish I hadn’t hurt you.”
“I know.” With one finger, he tipped her head up to stare into her eyes. “I love you, Chloe. And if you’ll let me, I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you.”
Joy and disbelief leapt in her veins. Aidan loved her?
His eyes searched hers, waiting for her reply.
On a sigh, she reached up to cup his face and drew him closer. When his lips met hers, her eyes fluttered closed, and she drank in his familiar taste, reveling in the scent of his aftershave and the hint of stubble that brushed her jaw. His arms tightened around her as he returned the kiss with equal measure.
When they finally drew apart, Aidan gave her a hopeful look. “Does this mean you’ll give me another chance?”
She nodded, a slow smile blooming. “I love you too, Aidan. I promise to be a better person for you.”
“You’re perfect just the way you are. I’m the one who needed to change. And thanks to you, I have.”
She fought to contain the rush of emotions that tumbled through her. “I—I don’t know what to say. This is all so unexpected.”
He grinned at her apparent bewilderment. “For starters, say you’ll come to the official unveiling of the youth center’s new sign. It’ll be a fun night.” He sobered. “We’ve missed you being there.”
Chloe blinked back happy tears. She’d hated avoiding the center, but it brought back too many painful memories of her time with Aidan.
“Which reminds me,” he continued. “I need to order a cake—a very large cake—for the celebration.” He tugged her back against his chest. “I hear there’s a fabulous new bakery in town where I can get one made.”
Floating on a wave of pure joy, she laughed. “I don’t know if you can afford my prices, Mr. North. Custom-made cakes that size are pretty expensive.”
“Hmm. Well, now that I’m kissing the cook, maybe I can get a discount. In fact,” he moved his lips to her ear, “I’m hoping to make it a lifetime discount.”
Shivers coursed down Chloe’s arms. She looked into his eyes, amazed to find them shining with love. “Nothing would make me happier.”
And when he kissed her again, Chloe gave silent thanks for the miracle of second chances.
EPILOGUE
One month later
“I pronounce Aspirations, the Rainbow Falls Youth Center, officially opened.” Aidan pulled the rope and the black cloth fell away.
A loud cheer went up from the crowd gathered outside the building.
Chloe clapped so hard her hands hurt.
Aidan had put off the official opening until the new sign could be installed.
She blinked back tears of happiness at the joy on Matt’s face as he took in his prize-winning title captured in bold black letters above the doorway. She thanked God for the millionth time at the changes she’d witnessed in this boy.
Aidan quieted the crowd in preparation for the little speech he’d rehearsed—the one he wouldn’t let her hear in advance.
“I want to thank everyone for coming today. This center means a lot to me and, I hope, to the youth of this town. Together we can do great things, not only for ourselves, but for our community, with the many outreach projects we have planned.” He paused while everyone applauded. “There is one person to whom I owe a huge debt of thanks, and that is Miss Chloe Martin. Without her support and enthusiasm, this center would never have taken off the way it has.”
The group broke into wild applause.
A flush heated Chloe’s cheeks.
“I also want to thank Chloe for another wonderful thing…” He paused, grinning at her. “For agreeing to become my wife.”
Someone let out a loud wolf-whistle.
Chloe laughed as more applause followed. A bubble of pure joy rose in her chest, threatening to lift her feet from the g
round.
“So hopefully the next time a crowd this big gets together, it will be at the Good Shepherd Church for our wedding.”
A murmur of laughter rippled through the group.
“Now let’s go inside and continue the celebration with cake and punch.”
Aidan opened the doors, and the people herded inside, their happy chatter drifting inward.
Chloe smiled at all the congratulatory remarks and pats on the shoulder as everyone moved past her. When only she and Aidan remained outside, she turned to him with a smile, her heart expanding with love. “That was some speech, Mr. North.”
“Glad you liked it.” He brushed a kiss across her lips. “I forgot one thing though.” He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a small, blue velvet box. With a flick, he opened the lid to reveal a marquise-cut diamond. “I know you accepted my proposal, but I’d like to make it official.”
“Oh, Aidan. It’s stunning.” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him, not caring who might see them. “I love you, and I can’t wait to start our life together.”
Aidan’s gray eyes darkened. “Thank you for saving me from myself, Chloe. Without you, I’d have turned into a grumpy old man.”
Chloe laughed. “You were a bit uptight as I recall.” Still standing on her tiptoes, she tilted her head. “There is something I’ve always wondered though.”
“What’s that?” His fingers caressed her cheek, adding to the warmth of the sun on her shoulders.
“Why were you so mean to me when we were teens?”
“I wasn’t mean.”
“You don’t remember making fun of me in front of your friends?”
A flush stole up his neck. “Oh, that.”
“Yes, that.”
He loosened his collar with one finger. “I couldn’t very well admit that I had a crush on my little sister’s friend, could I?” He shrugged. “So I made fun of you instead.”
Chloe’s mouth fell open. “You had a crush on me back then?”
He grinned. “What can I say? I had a thing for klutzy girls with braces.”
She smacked his arm, pretending outrage.
“Who knew that klutzy girl would literally knock me off my feet one rainy night.” His eyes danced with laughter. “You’ve been knocking me off balance ever since.”
She laughed with him, and as images of her extended family came to mind, she thanked God for giving her the one thing she’d craved since growing up an only child—a big, noisy family. God had brought Lily into her life several years ago, and now, by marrying Aidan, Maxi would become her sister, as well as her friend, and Bernice would fill the hole left by her mother’s death.
Chloe caressed the locket around her neck, certain both her birth mother and the woman who’d raised her would be very proud of her now. God had used Matt and Lindsay Brown, as well as the amazing man at her side, as instruments of redemption, blessing her with the hope of salvation.
With a happy sigh, she held out her left hand. “Don’t just stand there, Mr. North. Put that ring on and let’s get started on our future.”
“With pleasure, Miss Martin. With pleasure.”
He slipped the ring on her finger, and then his lips sealed the deal in a most satisfying manner.
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