One Fine Day (Hazel Green Book 1)

by Cindy Kirk

  Tears filled Abby’s eyes and spilled down her cheeks. She brushed them away with the back of her hand and continued to read.

  “I have wronged you. I have wronged my daughter. I want to make it up to you. I want to make it up to her.”

  Abby sat back, taking a moment to collect her thoughts. Was Jonah’s relationship with her and Eva Grace only about atonement? A sick feeling churned in her stomach.

  The next letter informed her he’d applied for the chief of police position in Hazel Green. The one following that said he’d been granted an interview. The next informed her he’d been offered the position. And the last, sent shortly before his arrival, gave his starting date.

  Dropping the letter to the table, Abby sat back in the chair and closed her eyes. Reading the notes had been a month-by-month review of the past five years.

  She must have fallen asleep, because a knock at the door startled her awake. Her head rested on her arms and her eyes felt gritty.

  A second knock had her glancing at the Felix clock. Seven thirty.

  Abby stumbled to the door and opened it without checking the peep.

  “I made it here in record time.” The smile on his face disappeared at the sight of her. “What’s wrong?”

  Abby supposed she did look a mess. She’d taken the pins out of her elaborate coiffure of the night before but had done little else with her hair. Undoubtedly, she had a sleep crease on one cheek from the envelopes she’d slept on. And the pink pajamas with pigs and faded chenille robe wouldn’t win any couture awards.

  “I’m fine. I fell asleep at the table.” Abby reached around him to shut the door. No need to scare any children who might be in the hall. She pushed back at her hair and gestured with one hand to the table. “I read your letters.”

  Moving to the sofa, she dropped down on the cushion, regretting that second glass of wine. Her head felt thick and fuzzy. Although some of that may have been from crying.

  Jonah glanced at the table, and a muscle in his jaw jumped. Instead of sitting beside her, he took a seat in a nearby chair. His gaze searched her face. “It appears we’ve both revisited the past. What did you discover?”

  “You really didn’t know I called?” It was a piece of the puzzle she couldn’t reconcile.

  His brows pulled together. “When?”

  “Right before Eva Grace was born.” Abby rubbed the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger. “In your letters you said you wished you could have been there. But you didn’t respond to my call or texts?”

  “Ah, those messages.”

  Disappointment flooded her. “You did get them.”

  And obviously ignored them.

  “Veronica brought them up during one of the sessions. She deleted them.” His gaze never wavered. “Apparently I’d left my phone at home.”

  “You didn’t know before this weekend?”

  Jonah shook his head. “For what it’s worth, she feels guilt over deleting the texts and voice message.”

  “You did the right thing, going to Veronica.” Abby didn’t know what else to say, so she said nothing.

  He finally broke the silence. “Did you learn anything else from the letters?”

  “I discovered I wasn’t the only one suffering.” Abby expelled a shaky breath and steeled herself. “Is this thing between me and you some sort of atonement?”

  “No.” He shook his head, said again more forcefully, “No. Absolutely not.”

  The tight band around her heart released at his adamant reply. “I didn’t think so. I hoped not.”

  Without her realizing how it happened, he was on the sofa beside her, her hands in his. “What’s happened between us is about friendship and love, not some way to make up for the past. Because that simply isn’t possible. If I learned anything this past few days, it’s that I need to accept the past and move on.”

  “I agree. It’s time.”

  A watchful wariness filled his beautiful blue eyes.

  She looped her arms around his neck and kissed him lightly on his lips. “I’m ready to move forward. With you.”

  Jonah placed his hands on her shoulders and held her at arm’s length, his gaze searching hers. “What are you saying, Abs?”

  Abby had thought she’d be scared, but she wasn’t, maybe because she’d never been surer of anything in her life. “Your letters showed me you’re the kind of man I knew you to be. You made mistakes. So did I. The time has come to leave the past in the past.”

  Hope flooded Jonah’s blue eyes.

  “What I’m saying is yes. Yes to a life with you. Yes to children. Yes to everything.” Her lips trembled with emotion, and her voice grew thick. “I want it all, Jonah. I want it with you.”

  Then she was in his arms, and she was kissing him with all the love in her heart.

  The sun, which had been hiding behind clouds, came out to stream in through the window, promising one fine day.

  Epilogue

  “Where are you taking us?” Abby gazed up at Jonah, her arm linked through his as they made their way through the covered bridge.

  Thanks to the snowfall the night before, the grounds of the Green were a wonderland of white. Abby had bundled up when Jonah had asked her and Eva Grace to walk with him, telling them he had something to show them. The word “surprise” had the little girl pulling on her coat, hat, and boots in record time.

  Abby admitted to being curious, too. But Jonah remained tight lipped.

  “You’ll see soon enough.” He flashed her that smile that never failed to make her heart beat faster.

  “Does it have to do with the wedding?” All the plans were in place. The ceremony would be held at Leo’s home over Eva Grace’s winter break, with close friends and family in attendance.

  The plan was for Eva Grace to return to Springfield with Jonah’s parents while Abby and Jonah headed for the warmth of the Caribbean. Everything had been well thought out, including having Matilda oversee hotel operations while Abby was away.

  “Look at her.” Jonah gestured toward Eva Grace and chuckled. The little girl had dropped down onto a bed of white and was busily moving her arms up and down, making a snow angel.

  Abby smiled. “That’s our girl.”

  “Eva Grace.” Jonah motioned to their daughter. “Let’s go. Your surprise awaits.”

  The child, bundled in a snowsuit able to withstand arctic temperatures, scrambled to her feet, brushing off the snow with her mittens. “Where are we going?”

  Abby looked at Jonah. “That’s what I’ve been asking your dad. He’s being very secretive.”

  “We’re here,” was all he said.

  Abby glanced around the neighborhood and gazed at him in puzzlement.

  “Behold, our new home.” Jonah extended one hand in the direction of a large Victorian home with yellow siding. “We’ll move in after the honeymoon.”

  Eva Grace’s eyes widened. “Will all of us live there . . . together?”

  Jonah nodded.

  “My wish came true.” Eva Grace flung an arm in the air, did a little boogie, then opened the black iron gate that enclosed the yard and raced to the porch.

  Abby stared at Jonah, as wide-eyed as Eva Grace. “Are you serious?”

  “It’s my wedding gift to you and Eva Grace.” When she didn’t immediately respond, his brow creased. “Don’t you like it?”

  Tears pushed at her lids. Before she could speak, Abby had to clear the thickness in her throat. “When I was a little girl, this was the kind of home I dreamed of one day owning. I never ever thought my wish would come true.”

  “You deserve for all of your wishes to come true.” Jonah waited for her to step into the yard, then closed the gate behind them. “Would you like to see the inside?”

  “Absolutely.” Abby had to stop herself from racing to the door. She paused at the base of the steps leading to the front porch.

  He tipped her chin up with a gloved finger. “What are you thinking?”

  “What’s going t
o happen to my apartment?” She knew she shouldn’t be worrying about that right now. Shouldn’t be giving it a second thought. “It holds such special memories. I know it’s too small for all of us to live in, but I can’t imagine simply turning it into more hotel rooms.”

  “I’ve got an idea.”

  Abby stared up at him.

  “What about a coffee shop? I realize the space isn’t large, but it would make the perfect intimate gathering spot for those looking for conversation, coffee, and community.”

  Long ago, those had been the words on her business plan. What did it say that it didn’t surprise her he’d remembered?

  Abby suddenly felt quite breathless. “You really are determined to make all my dreams come true.”

  He grinned, a quick flash that lit up his face. “I aim to please.”

  Flinging her arms around him, Abby pulled his head toward her for an earth-shattering kiss. “I love you, Jonah Rollins.”

  “Mommy. Daddy.” Eva Grace called out from where she stood on the porch, peering through the front window. “This place is awesome.”

  Abby turned in Jonah’s arms to face their daughter.

  “The yard is humongous,” Eva Grace continued, flinging out her arms. “It’s even big enough for a dog.”

  “It appears I’m not the only one with dreams.” Abby lowered her voice, speaking for Jonah’s ears only. “I wouldn’t mind a puppy.”

  Jonah winked. “Eva Grace. What do you say to a puppy for your birthday?”

  In answer, Eva Grace squealed.

  Her father grinned. “I believe that’s a yes.”

  Abby tightened her arms around her future husband’s neck. “What about your dreams?”

  He lowered his head, his mouth a breath away from hers. “Mine came true when Eva Grace called me ‘Daddy’ and you said you’d be my wife.”