by Cindy Kirk
“I’m so sorry to hear he was injured. I’ll pray for a speedy recovery.” Abby glanced at the screen. “I’ve got you down for two nights.”
“That’s correct.” Steve stepped forward and spoke for the first time.
Once the couple had entered the hotel lobby, Libby’s husband, a burly man with short-cropped dark hair, had moved immediately to the window overlooking Main Street, phone pressed to his ear.
“We would have stayed with our daughter,” Libby told her, pulling out her credit card, “but they have a foreign exchange student this year. They gave Hans their guest bedroom, which means either Amy and Todd would have to give us their bed, and they’d sleep on the sofa or—”
“Honey.” Steve stopped the rambling with a gentle hand on his wife’s arm. “She only wants to confirm we’re staying two nights and not one.”
A flush colored Libby’s ivory cheeks. “I’m so sorry. I’m just so stressed about Trevor—”
“Nothing to be sorry about. I have a daughter who has had surgery in the past. It’s very scary.” Abby thought back to those trying times.
“Thank you.” Libby reached over and handed Abby the credit card. “I knew you’d understand.”
Unlike Dixon, the couple greeted the news that Matilda’s was still open with enthusiasm. In fact, Libby went to secure a table while Steve carried their overnight bags down the hall to their room.
Abby put up the sign and forwarded any calls that would come in to her cell. For a moment, she stood as memories of Jonah on the football field flooded back. She could picture him in his red jersey and helmet. Springfield High Senators. While she hadn’t been Jonah’s girlfriend back then, she had been his biggest fan.
Now she was sleeping with him.
Her smile faded.
Things had moved so fast between them, she nearly had whiplash. Still, she believed letting Jonah back into her life and telling Eva Grace the truth had been the right thing to do.
The problem was, while she felt as if she could now move on and have a relationship with Jonah, a tiny part of her feared he would end up disappointing her again.
That worry had her holding back a piece of her heart. Was it a way of still punishing him? If so, that didn’t seem fair to him. Or her.
Abby reminded herself that she’d come a long way toward accepting the events of the past in a short amount of time. It might take time to fully let down her guard. But it would happen.
Somehow, some way, she believed Jonah would show himself to be a man fully worthy of her trust. When that happened, the past would truly be in the past.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“I’m glad your last guest arrived early.” Jonah sat beside Abby on the sofa, his arm looped around her shoulder.
While it was a little too warm for a fire, she’d had Jonah build one anyway.
“I think Eva Grace was disappointed.” Abby’s lips quirked up in a smile. “She wanted to play longer.”
“She’s a great kid.”
For a second, an automatic impulse to bring up the past surged, but she shoved it down.
He’d apologized.
She’d accepted the apology.
End of story.
“When she won the third Squirrel game, she had me text you the news.” He gave a little laugh then brushed his lips across her hair. “I think she was disappointed you didn’t respond. By the time you got here, she had too many other things to say that I think she forgot all about it.”
“Three games?” Abby raised a brow. “Did you let her win?”
“I wish I could say yes, but she won fair and square.” He chuckled. “The crazy thing was, it didn’t even bother me. If only the guys on the football team could see me now. They used to say I was the most competitive one on the team.”
“The couple who checked in tonight has a grandson who plays for Hazel Green High.”
Jonah slanted a sideways glance. “We should go to a game sometime.”
“Sure. Sounds like fun.”
“What about the other guest?” Jonah played with a strand of hair. “What was he or she like?”
“He.” Abby thought of Dixon Carlyle. If she’d missed Jonah’s text, had she missed a reply from Nell? “Hold on a second.”
She jumped up from the sofa and crossed the room to retrieve her phone, then plopped back down beside Jonah.
“What are you doing?”
“Checking my texts.”
“Really, it was no big deal. Eva Grace understood that—”
“Not your text.” Abby scrolled down. “I sent one to Nell.”
There was a reply from her friend. One word.
Thanks.
Abby frowned.
“What’s the matter?”
“The guy who checked in tonight wanted to connect with Nell, but he didn’t have her home address or cell number.” Abby went on to tell Jonah about Dixon Carlyle. “I texted Nell his information and all she says is thanks?”
Jonah’s eyes narrowed. “What did the guy look like?”
“About our age. Your height. Lean but muscular. Dark hair, nearly black.” Abby cocked her head. “Why?”
“Your description sounds like the guy Nell recognized at the trattoria.”
Abby nodded as Jonah described the man he’d seen and what had occurred. “That sounds just like him. Maybe I should call Nell?”
“You could.”
“But?”
“I don’t think you’re the one she wants to speak with tonight.”
+
Nell stared at the text from Abby. A hot flush of anger surged. She forced herself to take a couple of deep, calming breaths. Experience had taught her that mistakes occur when emotions rule.
“Who’s the text from?” Leo’s finger stroked up from the bare skin of her hip to stop just below her breast.
They’d just finished round two of some very energetic and satisfying sex when her phone dinged. Normally Nell wouldn’t have paid any attention to a text.
But all day, a sixth sense had had her on edge. It was the reason she’d texted Leo and asked him over for dinner. There’d been no need to explain that food wasn’t the only thing on the menu.
For the past six months, they’d been having sex. Either at his place or hers. A couple of times, they’d checked into a hotel room in Chicago just to switch things up.
Leo wanted to date her. He’d made that clear.
She’d made it just as clear that she only wanted him for sex. This was her community. She loved it and wouldn’t risk screwing up what she had over a relationship in her own backyard.
Being a red-blooded young man who was totally focused on his new position as mayor, Leo had gone along with her wishes.
“Abby texted me.” Nell turned away from him, pulling the sheet up with her. She grabbed his clothes from the floor where they’d fallen and flung them at him. “You need to go.”
Leo sat up and stretched. His brown hair stuck up in several places, and Nell could see a faint trace of her lipstick on the back of his neck. Concern blanketed his handsome face. “Is she in trouble?”
“No.” Leo was a good guy. Nell accepted that fact, which made keeping their liaisons strictly about sex more difficult. But definitely not anything she couldn’t handle.
Tonight had been enjoyable, she thought, cinching the silk robe around her waist while Leo pulled on his clothes. A wave of affection washed over her. He was a fabulous and considerate lover.
Because of their busy lives, it had been several weeks since they’d been able to coordinate their schedules. Nell had expected him to jump her the second he walked through her door.
Jumping him had certainly been her plan. Instead he’d surprised her with a chrysanthemum plant for her terrace and takeout from the newly opened Thai restaurant.
Over a dinner of laad naa coupled with a nice bottle of Riesling, they’d caught each other up on the past couple of weeks. For dessert, they’d hopped into bed and hadn’t left it since.
“What did the text from Abby say?”
Nell widened her eyes, startled by his tenacity. He knew better than to pry into her business. “Don’t spoil the evening with questions.”
He gave a curt nod, his blue eyes dark and unreadable.
She followed him in silence to the door leading to the garage. Before he left, he pulled her to him, closing his mouth over hers in a kiss that curled her toes. Like a dog staking his claim, she thought, more than a little off balance when he released her.
“We’ll get together again soon.” His eyes met hers.
She stuck out a tongue at his retreating back. He left via the back door. Several months ago, she’d given him an opener for her garage so he could park his car inside when he came over.
She knew they couldn’t keep their relationship hidden forever, but she didn’t want questions. There were too many secrets in her background for her to let anyone in too close.
Abby had said it best, Nell thought. Actions revealed character.
With a sigh, Nell locked the door. When she reached her living room, she plopped down on the sofa and pulled out her phone, gazing at the text from Abby and the number listed.
She thought she’d made it clear at the restaurant that he was to stay out of her life and out of Hazel Green.
Yet he’d come anyway.
Nell pursed her lips as a steely determination filled her. This time she’d be more forceful because Dixon obviously hadn’t gotten the message.
+
“I don’t trust him.” Nell stabbed a piece of lettuce with her fork.
Abby cast a glance at the couple seated at a table by the window. “Who would? The man is a slime ball.”
Whatever Marc said had his luncheon companion, a stunning woman in her early seventies, chuckling. Though Lilian de Burgh had been widowed three years ago, she still wore her wedding ring. When she gestured with her left hand, the large diamond caught the light, flashing a rainbow of colors.
Immediately upon entering Matilda’s, Abby had spotted Marc and Lilian poring over some papers.
Today was the first time in nearly a week that Abby had been alone with Nell. On Wednesday, the birthday bash committee had met to finalize details. Nell had been there, arriving just as the meeting started and leaving immediately after it ended.
Abby hadn’t had the opportunity to ask Nell whether she’d reached Mr. Carlyle. All she knew was that the man had checked out early the next morning.
She opened her mouth to ask, but Nell spoke first.
“It appears you and Jonah made up.”
Abby guessed it appeared that way. She saw him every day, and he had picked up Eva Grace from school several times that week. “We agreed to move forward. Leave the past in the past.”
Nell cocked her head. “For Eva Grace’s sake?”
“That’s part of it.” Abby took a sourdough roll from the bread basket and absently broke it in two. “The other part is I can’t keep holding on to the anger and the sense of betrayal from that time. I need to move past it.”
The blue eyes that met hers held a speculative gleam. “You might need to move past the anger and hurt, but can you?”
Bringing the roll to her lips, Abby nibbled. “I believe so. I’m not completely there yet, but I’m getting closer.”
Nell’s expression gave nothing away. “Word in town is that the two of you are dating exclusively.”
“Word in town?” Abby gave a little laugh. “Are you saying we’re the subject of gossip?”
“Did you expect different?” Nell’s eyes remained watchful. “He’s the new police chief.”
“You’re right.” Abby took a bigger bite of the roll and chewed. “The only single man of more interest to the community would be Leo.”
“You’re probably right about that.” Nell’s voice remained conversational. “Heard any rumors about our eligible mayor?”
“Someone, I can’t remember who, mentioned they think he’s dating a model out of Chicago.”
Nell nodded. “That’s the same rumor I heard.”
“Which means”—Abby flashed a grin—“it may or may not be true.”
Nell chuckled.
Once again, Abby opened her mouth to seize the opening. “Have—”
“Are you going to marry him?” Nell asked.
Abby blinked. “Leo? Absolutely not.”
“Jonah.” Nell set down her fork, her entire attention riveted on Abby’s face. “Has he asked?”
Abby felt a familiar quivering take up residence in her stomach. Several times she’d gotten the feeling Jonah was on the verge of asking that very question.
Part of her wanted him to ask. The other part feared he’d pop the question.
Because, at this moment, she didn’t know how she’d respond.
+
“Good afternoon, Chief.”
Jonah pulled his gaze from the water. He’d told Abby to meet him by the covered bridge. Not wanting to keep her waiting, he’d arrived early.
“Mrs. de Burgh.” Jonah had been introduced to the woman many considered one of the movers and shakers of Hazel Green at Leo’s party. In her dark-colored pants and houndstooth jacket, she appeared more approachable than she had the night of the party when diamonds had dripped from her ears and neck. “It’s a beautiful day.”
“There isn’t anything better than a walk on a crisp autumn day.” The woman cocked her head, her gaze assessing. “Please call me Lilian. How are you liking our community?”
“It already feels like home.” After spending most of his life in Springfield, it surprised him how quickly the town—and the community—had found its way into his heart. “I’m glad I made the move.”
“I heard you and Abigail Fine share a history.”
Jonah knew the news that he was Eva Grace’s father had been picked up and passed along the town’s very efficient grapevine. But he hadn’t thought the news would have made it to Mrs. De Burgh’s circle.
“Abby and I grew up together in Springfield.” Jonah kept his smile pleasant. “Reuniting with her and my daughter has been the best part of moving here.”
There it was, laid out there. If she hadn’t already heard he was Eva Grace’s father, now she knew.
“Richard and I weren’t able to have children.” Lilian’s lips lifted in a wistful smile. “Sharing a child with someone you love is a great gift.”
“It is.” Jonah agreed.
They chatted for a few more minutes before she continued down the walkway onto the bridge.
He was grateful she’d stopped. It kept him from thinking about the ring safely tucked in his jacket pocket. Even though everything rational inside him urged him to take this slow, he loved Abby.
He wanted to be her husband, wanted her to be his wife. Wanted them to raise Eva Grace together, as well as any other children they might have. He wanted to grow old with her.
Jonah hoped the past had been finally put to rest. He now accepted he’d done the best he could at the time. While he’d likely handle things differently if he could go back, from this day forward, he vowed to live his life in accordance with his moral compass.
Jonah believed Abby loved him. Though she hadn’t said the words, he saw it in her eyes, felt it in her touch. She insisted she’d forgiven him and was ready to move forward.
He wasn’t fully convinced.
Oh, he believed she thought she’d turned that page, but what he’d done wasn’t an easy thing to forget or forgive. But the desire for them to begin their lives together had him willing to take this chance.
“Jonah.”
He turned and smiled at the sight of Abby hurrying toward him, her cheeks as rosy as her red lipstick.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting. I was orienting a new employee to the front desk, and she was having difficulty catching on.” Abby waved a hand, her brown eyes sparkling in the sunshine. “Enough about that. You said there was some problem with the security for the event this weekend.”
Her brows pulled together slightly as she slipped her arm through his when they began to walk. “It must be serious if we had to meet in person.”
“It is serious.” His heartbeat hitched. “There’s something I need to show you.”
It wasn’t just the ring; it was the key in his pocket that had him taking a calming breath. She would say yes. She’d be happy. Thrilled. Tonight, the three of them would celebrate the first step in becoming a family.
“Show me?” Her voice rose, and she glanced around as they exited the bridge. “I’m sure we don’t have any activities planned on this side of the bridge.”
Jonah led her down a path to a gazebo several yards from the walkway. The structure, often used for small weddings, was surrounded by beautiful foliage. He’d hoped no one would be here midafternoon, and his luck had held.
“I love this gazebo.” Abby touched the white-lacquered wood and smiled. “I had Eva Grace’s five-year pictures taken here.”
“Abby.”
Just saying her name had her smile fading.
“What’s the matter, Jonah?” She turned and placed a hand on his arm. “You look so serious.”
“I love you.”
She blinked.
“I think in some ways I’ve always loved you.” Jonah let out a shaky breath as a wave of emotion swamped him. Dear God, he wanted so badly for her to say yes. “You and I, we just fit. I remember the first time I saw you. You were barely older than Eva Grace.”
He smiled at the memory. “You had such attitude.”
“All I did was tell you, since I found your ball, you should let me play.” Though she smiled, the watchful look in her eyes remained.
“We spent years never being available at the same time.” Jonah decided to not to bring up the surrogacy. “When I moved here and saw you again, all those old feelings rushed forward.”
He dropped his gaze to his hands for a second. “Before, I was alone. I never realized just how alone. Now, I’m whole.”
Her eyes were now as large as saucers, but he appreciated that she didn’t interrupt.
“I love and respect your honesty and willingness to be true to yourself.” Jonah kept his gaze firmly fixed on her. “You make me want to be a better man. A man worthy of you and Eva Grace.”