by Deanna Chase
“I’m guessing that didn’t last?” Abby asked as she turned down the long drive to their dad’s house.
“No. Not long at all. By the end of the first week, we’d decided to go ahead and officially start dating. But then he went to L.A. to finalize some paperwork with his ex, and he came back all moody. After a few days, we were right back on track and then today—” Yvette’s voice cracked on the word today, and she took a moment to collect herself. “Today his ex showed up with a baby. Jacob’s baby.”
Abby’s eyes went wide. “He has a kid?”
“Apparently, only he never told me that, even after we talked about how our exes had really messed us up. I just don’t know why he hid her from me. He doesn’t even have pictures of her in his house. Honestly, Abby, it completely threw me for a loop.”
Abby glanced over at her sister. “Maybe he’s just wary of letting anyone new into his daughter’s life. You know, maybe he just wants to protect her and doesn’t want to rush anything when it comes to her.”
Yvette could see Abby’s point. If she had a child, she’d be really careful about introducing them to someone she was dating. Things would have to be really serious. Except… “Abs, he didn’t even tell me about her. And she’s still a baby. It’s not like she’d get attached to me and be confused about who I am in her dad’s life. I just… it hurt that he didn’t trust me enough to tell me.”
Abby reached over and grabbed her sister’s hand, squeezing it lightly. “You probably should just talk to him about it. I’m sure he has his reasons.”
“Right.” Yvette scowled. “Except right now his ex is at his house for the weekend, and all I can think about is going over there and… well, I don’t know what I would do, but I hate the idea that they are together. Who knows what they’re doing?”
Abby shook her head at her sister. “Yeah, I’m sure it’s real romantic changing diapers and pureeing baby food.”
“Well, when you put it that way,” Yvette said, “this ride on the golf cart does sound a hundred percent more enjoyable.”
“Stick with me, baby! I know how to party.”
Abby rounded the curve and the house came into view.
Yvette muttered a curse and wondered how her day could get any worse.
“Oh, yikes. Is that Isaac’s new BMW?” Abby asked, eyeing the black roadster in Lin’s driveway.
“Yep. He apparently bought it because it’s Jake’s dream car,” she said with a sigh.
“We can come back later,” Abby said, already turning the cart around.
“No. It’s fine. Let’s go in. I want to see Dad, too.”
“Are you sure?” Abby asked. “No one expects you to interact with your ex-husband.”
“I’m sure,” Yvette said. “He still does work for Dad. I’m going to have to get used to it sometime.”
Abby gave her a skeptical look but pulled the cart to a stop anyway. “Okay, but if he makes you want to murder someone, just give me the signal and we’ll get out of here ASAP. Got it?”
“You’re a good sister.” Yvette hopped out of the cart, scowled at the Roadster, and strode into the house, determined to not let Isaac drive her away from her family home. The log-cabin-style house was a large, rambling one story, yet it felt cozy and welcoming with the fire crackling in the hearth. A large metal pentacle hung over the fireplace, signifying their connection to the witch community, and there were candles everywhere, though they weren’t lit. Yvette snapped her fingers and they all flamed to life.
Lin Townsend looked up from his spot at the table and grinned at his two daughters. “Well, isn’t this a surprise?”
“Hi, Dad,” Yvette said. Then she gave Isaac, who was sitting across from Lin, a curt nod.
“Hi, Dad,” Abby echoed and ran over to give him a hug. “I missed you.”
“You were only gone two weeks. That’s hardly enough time to be missing your old man,” he said, but he held her hand with both of his as he dismissed her statement.
“Of course it is, silly,” she said and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I brought your energy potions. Want to help me unload them from the cart?”
“Sure.” The two of them wandered back outside, leaving Yvette and Isaac alone.
“Looks like you’re enjoying the new car,” Yvette said as she moved to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee.
Isaac didn’t respond to her comment but stood and followed her into the kitchen. “Yvette?”
“What?” she asked without turning around.
“I owe you an apology.”
She froze. Yvette knew him well enough to know that this apology, whatever it was for, wasn’t easy for him. The quiet way he’d said it gave him away. She glanced over her shoulder. “For what?”
“For trying to interfere with the way you run the bookstore. Jake said—”
“I’m not interested in anything Jake has to say,” Yvette said, anger filling her up and making her want to haul off and hit something, preferably him.
“Yvette, please, just hear me out, and then you’ll never have to talk to me again if you don’t want to.”
She let out an incredulous huff. “Really, Isaac? You work for my dad and we both live in this very small town. I don’t think never talking is really in the cards.”
“Then we should do our best to form a truce. What do you say?”
Yvette gritted her teeth and turned around. “I’m not at war with you, Isaac. I just can’t have you acting like we’re still married. You have no right to tell me how to live my life or how to run my business. I’m a big girl. I’ve got it covered.”
“I know.” He very gently took her by the hand and led her back to the table. “Please, have a seat.”
She was tempted to tell him no and stalk right out of there, but she had to admit that she was more than a little curious about what he was going to say. Without comment, she seated herself and waited.
He pulled a chair up so that he was sitting right in front of her. Then he took both of her hands in his and said, “I’m so very sorry for how I treated you, Yvette.”
“You told me this at the wedding two weeks ago,” she said, unimpressed with his constant apologies. He’d turned her life upside down and treated her like she was too incompetent to run her own bookstore. “Unless there’s more, I think we’re done here.”
His grip tightened on hers, and his eyes sparkled with unshed tears. “I’ve been so selfish. You deserved better. I know you don’t want to hear about Jake, but he’s the one who helped me see what a jackass I’ve been.” Isaac blinked, and the tears cleared. “I know the bookstore is yours, and I had no business sticking my nose in where it didn’t belong.”
“No, you really didn’t,” she said, unsure what to make of this apology. She had heard it before, but this time his sincerity seemed much more authentic, as if he really did understand how he’d been hurting her and wanted to make it right instead of just easing his own guilt for leaving their marriage.
“Congratulations, by the way. I heard the signing was a huge success.” He flashed her his gorgeous grin, making her remember one of the reasons she’d fallen in love with him in the first place.
“Thank you. It was a team effort.”
“I’m sure you’re being modest,” he said. “You always did understand how to get customers in the store and move books.”
“Well, thanks.”
“I’ve just been having a hard time letting go. And then I saw you with Jacob, and I guess I got jealous.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Why? What does it matter if I date someone new?”
“Come on, Yvette,” he said giving her a pained look. “I married you because I loved you. That wasn’t a lie, you know.”
A dull ache throbbed in her chest, but it was a far cry from the piercing pain she’d had when he’d told her he was leaving. “I know.”
“Do you?” he asked earnestly. “Do you really understand how hard it was for me?”
She stared at him. She had pla
ced herself in his shoes many times before, trying to see his perspective. It hadn’t eased the pain, but she did understand the turmoil he must’ve faced when he realized he’d been living a lie. “Yes, but that doesn’t change how I feel about it… or felt anyway. Listen, Isaac, we don’t have to keep doing this. Let’s just try to respect each other, and maybe one day we’ll get back to being the friends we were before we became romantically involved. Does that sound fair?”
He nodded. “Completely fair. I just hope that day is sooner rather than later. I know it isn’t fair for me to say this, but I miss you.”
Her eyes misted, and she squeezed his hands just as he’d done a moment before. “I miss you, too. I don’t think you understand how hard it was for me to lose my husband and my best friend.”
“I think I do. I lost you, too, you know.”
She frowned. “But you had Jake to fill the void. Who did I have? And don’t say my sisters or my dad because it isn’t the same.”
“Jake could never replace you,” he said, and something in his tone made her believe him.
“Thanks for that,” she said, one tear rolling down her cheek.
Isaac stood and pulled her to her feet. Then he wrapped his arms around her and said, “I’ll always love you, Yvette. I hope you know that.”
A sob got caught in her throat, and she nodded, feeling for the first time that maybe she hadn’t lost him, that maybe, just maybe, they could find their way back to being friends again.
“Hey, now what’s going on in here? Isaac, are you making my daughter cry again?” Lin asked as he strode into the room with Abby on his heels. “I told you that if you ever hurt her again, you’d have to answer to me.”
Isaac kissed Yvette’s cheek and said, “Unfortunately, I think I did make her cry, Lin. I apologize.”
“Dammit, now I’m going to have to fire you,” he said, glaring at Isaac. “I should’ve done it after you broke her heart the first time. What is wrong with you, man?”
“Dad,” Yvette said, wiping her eyes. “You can’t fire Isaac. Who’s going to do your books?”
“We’ll find someone else. Maybe Jacob can take over,” he said stubbornly.
Yvette chuckled. “Jacob can read a financial statement just fine, but he’s no bookkeeper. I think it’s best for the business if we stick with Isaac here. Besides, I’m fine. Isaac and I were just making up, that’s all.”
“You were?” Lin eyed them carefully then frowned. “Does this mean Jake is history?”
Isaac cleared his throat. “Um, no.”
“Then I don’t get it. You’re not implying the three of you are going to be involved—”
“Dad!” Yvette shouted. “Oh, my goddess, no. I meant we’re going to try to be friends again. That’s all.”
“Oh. Well thank the gods.” He turned to Isaac. “My Yvette deserves to be the one and only in someone’s life.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Isaac started to pick up a file he’d left on the table. “I should go.”
“Not yet,” Yvette said. “Abby and I are taking the golf cart out for a spin. Why don’t you join us?”
“Really?” Isaac asked, surprise in his hopeful eyes.
“Really.” She turned to Lin. “You, too, Dad. It’s time for you to have some fun.”
“No way,” Lin said. “Have you seen how Abby drives that thing? I’d be taking my life in my hands.”
“Come on, Dad,” Abby chimed in from her spot near the fireplace. “You just told me you didn’t want to end up locked in the house all the time. Come for a ride with us. I’ll be careful.”
“No, she won’t,” Yvette said. “But you should come anyway. How bad can it be? The cart only goes eighteen miles an hour.”
“Come on, Lin,” Isaac said. “Your girls are waiting.”
“Fine,” Lin muttered. “But if something goes wrong, I’ll never let you forget it.”
Abby snorted. “No doubt.”
“Excellent,” Yvette said. “Now if only we had another cart, we could have golf cart races.”
Lin cleared his throat. “Well, now that you mention it, we just might be in luck.”
Both Abby and Yvette turned and stared at him.
“What do you mean?” Yvette asked.
Lin jerked his head. “Follow me.”
The three of them did as they were told and soon found themselves in Lin’s garage staring at a brand-new black golf cart.
“Dad?” Abby said with a laugh. “Where did this come from?”
“I bought it,” he said proudly, shoving the key into the ignition. “Check this out.” He flicked a switch, and the golf cart lit up with flashing red twinkle lights while a sound system started playing “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson.
Abby threw her head back and laughed. “Dad, this is fantastic.”
“This is your influence,” Yvette said to her sister, referring to the fact that Abby’s golf cart had the same features.
“Gosh, I certainly hope so.” Abby turned to her father. “So, Dad, what brought this on? Not that I don’t approve, because obviously I do.”
He shrugged. “I figured I could use something to help me get around the orchard. This was a lot more fun than a utility cart.”
“You got that right.” Abby pointed at the cart. “You ready to race, old man?”
“You read my mind,” he said and climbed in behind the wheel.
Yvette grinned at her dad, pride making her swell with love for him. There was only one reason he’d gotten that cart—so he wouldn’t have to wear himself out walking the property. He was really trying to take it easy and was doing it in style.
“I’m with Dad!” Yvette jumped in beside him. “Ready to kick Abby’s butt?”
He eyed Abby. “Do you think we can take her?”
“Definitely. Your driving skills are far superior.”
“Oh ho! You think so, huh?” Abby waved at Isaac. “Come on, Isaac. We need to talk strategy so we can leave these two in the dust.”
“Is there such a thing as strategy when it comes to a golf cart?” Isaac asked her as they strode out of the garage and over to her cart.
“Not usually, but I have some tricks up my sleeve.” Abby glanced over her shoulder. “Watch out, you two. I wouldn’t want you to get caught in my dust storm.”
“Right.” Lin eased the cart down to the end of the driveway. Then he turned to Yvette. “What should we do? Wait for her or just go for it?”
“Go for it,” Yvette urged as Abby climbed into her cart. “Now!”
Lin stomped on the gas and they jerked forward.
“Hey! That’s cheating,” Abby called from behind them.
Yvette reached over to the volume button as she glanced at her father. He nodded once and with his approval, Yvette turned up her father’s country music, drowning out Abby’s cries of protest.
Lin tapped his left foot and bounced his fingers on the steering wheel. His body was relaxed, and his color was normal. There was no question he was taking better care of himself. She wanted to tell him she was proud of him, but instead, she just reached over and lightly squeezed his shoulder.
He glanced over at her.
Thank you, she mouthed.
“Anything for my girls!” he shouted over the music. Then he took a hard right turn toward the enchanted river. A few moments later, Abby’s golf cart appeared beside them and the race was on.
Yvette leaned forward in the cart and yelled encouragement for her dad to outpace Abby, screaming and shouting the entire way, loving every minute of it.
In the end, Lin lost the race, but Yvette knew it was because Abby’s cart was outfitted with boosters and other performance-enhancing equipment. There’d been almost no chance of eking out a win, but that wasn’t what mattered to Yvette.
As she watched her sister and Isaac do a complicated and completely ridiculous victory dance, the only thing she cared about was how much fun she was having with them and her dad. The pure joy she felt fi
lled all the empty spaces in her heart. This was what family was about and why she loved Keating Hollow with her entire heart and soul.
Chapter 23
Wednesday morning rolled around, and Jacob found himself with Skye strapped to his chest while he slipped into Incantation Café. Because Skye had cried half the night, he’d had less than four hours of sleep the night before and his eyes were watering from fatigue, but he didn’t care. He’d completely and utterly fallen in love with his daughter. And he knew that he’d happily forgo the next eighteen years of sleep if it meant he got to spend that time with her.
“Oh my,” Hanna said as Jacob approached the counter. “Who is this precious little girl?”
“My daughter, Skye,” he said, pride coloring his tone.
“She’s beautiful, Jacob. I didn’t know you had a daughter.” Hanna held her finger out to the little girl and grinned when Skye wrapped her hand around it and held on tight. “And strong, too.”
Jacob almost said he hadn’t known either, but he kept that to himself and just smiled at Hanna as she cooed at his daughter.
Finally, Hanna glanced up. “Coffee? Large?”
“The largest, thanks.”
“You got it.”
Jacob put a few bills on the counter and stepped back just as the front door opened and another customer stepped into the shop. There was a tiny, surprised gasp, and he instantly knew Yvette was behind him. He turned and saw her standing there, staring at him with her mouth open. He smiled at her. “Hi.”
She cleared her throat. “Hi.”
He hadn’t seen her since Friday when Sienna had interrupted their lunch. He’d called to let her know he wouldn’t be coming into the bookstore. He’d wanted to explain, but she’d cut him off, said she understood, and ended the call. He’d considered calling back but decided the conversation would be better in person.
Hanna called his name and handed him his coffee. Then she turned to Yvette. “Latte?”
Yvette nodded. The expression on her face as she stared at Jacob and Skye was a mix of interest and something that vaguely resembled fear as if she was ready to bolt at any minute.