Without access to a phone or internet, she’d have to wait until after the grand reopening, when she could hitch a ride to her office in the mini factory where she’d left her laptop. Relocating hadn’t been on her mind when she’d taken the call yesterday morning. Funny how life could change so drastic in less than twenty-four hours.
After emerging from her self-pity shower and prolonged crying jag sixty-five minutes later, she peeked out the window. Her driveway was empty. A twinge of disappointment shot through her body, then she remembered Mason’s angry expression and harsh laugh when he’d walked away from her in Timbers.
Left.
Abandoned.
Tomorrow, she’d face the world. Mason. Everybody. She had no doubt Lea and Ben, and probably Gwen would show up to give her a ride to the shop, and the police station afterwards to collect her phone and car. None of it was a priority at the moment.
Tonight, she was allowing herself to wallow in self pity and misery, dammit.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Mason hadn’t slept at all last night. His heart had been too heavy. Heavy with anger at himself; remorse for not helping Jill when she’d needed him, fury at Donny for what he’d put her through, and heavy with worry over the sweet woman who deserved better than him. Better from him.
All the while he’d been on her porch last night, he knew she’d been inside her house. He’d felt her standing on the other side of the door, and at one point, he thought she might open it. But she hadn’t. Still, she’d deserved his groveling. Even planned to grovel some more today.
A half-hour before the grand reopening of Confection Connection, he strode into the kitchen for a cup of coffee, groaning inwardly that it was full of people. He loved his family; he just wasn’t in the mood for badgering and advice. His head was already pounding from lack of sleep.
“Guess things didn’t go so well with Jill,” Lea observed, apologetic look in her eyes. “She hadn’t let us in either. But she will. Give her time. She loves you. Fight for her.”
He swallowed coffee down his already hot throat and nodded. “Planned on it.”
Ben smiled and slapped his back. “Good to hear. You want to pick her up this morning? We can hang back. She needs a ride to the shop and would have to go with you.”
The prospect held merit, and for a moment, he did consider it, then his conscience stepped in. “No. Thanks anyway. I think one ex strong-arming her this weekend is enough.”
Lea stepped close and touched his arm. “Listen, I don’t like to butt in, but there is something I think you should know.”
He stiffened, knowing this wasn’t good news.
“Gwen told me Jill planned to relocate across the country.”
He reeled back. “What?”
How? Why?
“That New York company called her yesterday. They want to open a big plant so her candies can get into grocery stores, and want her to oversee things. In Nevada.”
Shit.
He set his mug on the counter and stared at the coffee sloshing over the brim. Exactly what his emotions had just done to him—spilled over.
That was her dream. How could he compete with that? Especially since he’d already proven she couldn’t count on him?
Ben cupped his shoulder and squeezed. “Good luck, man.” He turned to his fiancée. “We’d better go get her.”
“Fight for her,” Lea repeated before rushing from the room.
Mason sat at the table, ignoring the looks both Ethan and Keiffer sent his way. Although he was happy his youngest brother was out of his apartment and actually eating a meal, the guy had done little of both lately, Mason just wasn’t up to hearing what a jerk he’d been. He knew. A big one. One that didn’t deserve squat from the woman.
“We’re rooting for you, Mase,” Keiffer said quietly.
The rapid change in his younger brother was a grave cause for concern. Keif had never been quiet. Or a homebody. He’d lost weight. Even announced last week that he was giving up the Guard. Not re-upping his commitment when his contract ran out next month. Mason wasn’t the only one worried about all the changes. They all were. And hoped it wasn’t a downward spiral.
“You going to beg for forgiveness while the television station is there this morning?” Ethan asked. “Women like it when you grovel in public.”
“Maybe. Not sure it’ll work. I’ve been an ass.”
Ethan snickered. “No argument from me.”
Even Keiffer’s lip twitched. “She’s good for you. And you’re good for her.”
Mason nodded, but those words weighed heavy on his heart as he drove to town. How could he be good for her if he’d hurt her?
Pulling into the armory parking lot, since cars had lined the streets on both sides, he walked the two blocks to Jill’s shop, happy to see such outpouring of support from the community directed toward the sweet woman.
Purposely hanging back, not wanting to interfere in her Grand Opening plans, Mason had delayed his arrival by a half-hour. Waiting outside. Wanting to be by her side, but knowing he’d forfeited that right the second he wouldn’t listen to her explanation.
Stepping inside the shop, he remained near the door, staying out of the way as he glanced around. He had to hand it to Ryder, the place looked exactly as it had before her asshole ex-husband torched the place. Brown and light blue met the eye, along with displays of chocolate that made his mouth water. The cases and counters stood in the same spots, gleaming invitingly as they showcased her scrumptious treats.
He missed her scrumptious treats. Bad.
The image of Jill dancing while cleaning a display case exactly like the ones in front of him flashed through his mind and made him smile.
He watched Fireball handle the crowd of well-wishers and reporters all asking a myriad of questions about her shop, chocolate making, and her personal life, with the ease and grace of a woman happy with her life. He knew better.
Jill stood behind the counter, alone, looking beautiful in a pretty, light blue dress gracing her curves, and ready smile on her face. One that didn’t quite reach her eyes, didn’t have that high-voltage impact he missed so much.
Friendly and cracking jokes, she took it all in her stride. She had strangers fooled, but he got the impression she didn’t want to be there. Wanted to be a million miles away, but stepped up to the plate and did her duty. Alone.
His gut clenched, and he called himself all kinds of an idiot for putting the sad in her eyes. For not trusting her. For taking the fun out of her special day. He’d failed her. Just like all the other men in her life. God, he wanted the chance to make it up to the woman who deserved the world.
As soon as the reporters and some of the gawking crowd finally disappeared, he slowly made his way up front. Lea and Gwen were enjoying some sort of chocolate cake, while Ben held a conversation with Ryder as the two guys ate ice cream. The moment Jill saw him, she stilled, but quickly recovered, keeping her smile in place. The kind that didn’t reach the eyes.
That wouldn’t do. Neither would their distance. Not anymore. Not ever again.
Walking right passed them, he headed behind the counter until he stood in front of the woman who held his heart.
“I’m sorry, Jill,” he said, uncaring that others were within earshot. He’d stayed quiet long enough. The time to grovel had arrived. “I should’ve believed you and never doubted you. God knows you deserve better, but I promise, if you give me another chance, it won’t happen again.”
Jill’s heart was hammering so loud she could barely hear what Mason was saying. In fact, the whole shop kind of faded away as her pulse blared louder in her ears than the radio on in the background.
He reached for her hands and held tight. “I screwed up. I did the very thing I swore to you I wouldn’t. I abandoned you. That will never happen again, Jill. I promise.”
Hope fluttered in chest, but mistrust reined it in. She wanted to trust him, and did believe he meant what he said. But how could anyone promise such a thi
ng?
He squeezed her hands. “I’m sorry, so damn sorry I didn’t listen to you. Didn’t let you talk when you tried to talk. I was hurt, drawing on that old betrayal, and angry that I fell for another woman who used me.”
“I didn’t use you,” she whispered.
“I know,” he said, releasing her hands to cup her face, gaze fierce and determined. “But at first, all the old hurts returned and I had to sort through them to see clearly. And I do, Jill. I see you, and how you’ve done nothing but give, and trust, and open up. You never hid anything. Ever. Thank you for that.”
Swallowing past a hot throat, she nodded, body shaking with all the emotions the man always drew out of her.
“I hope you’re taking notes, Ryder,” Gwen said to her brother. “He’s good.”
Jill agreed, but she still hesitated to hope. Couldn’t bear it if…
“I love how you don’t judge,” Mason continued, setting his forehead to hers. “Give people chances. Take chances. Dance when you think no one is watching…Fireball.”
She choked out a half-laugh, half-sob.
He dropped his hands to her shoulders, then trailed his fingers down her arms until he was holding her hands again. “You help unconditionally,” he said. “Go above and beyond.”
Actually, he did all those things. It was one of the things she loved most about him.
“Well, it’s time I went above and beyond for you, Jill. Fought for you. Prove I mean every damn word.”
“But how?” She blinked at him. Hoping. Really wanting him to come up with the right thing to say. She had no idea what it could be that would make her believe he’d always trust her and never doubt her loyalty.
She knew he didn’t lie, and that he thought he meant every word. But, she needed proof. Her life had been one big failure in putting her trust in the wrong guy.
“I know about your job offer,” he said. “I’m willing to go with you. To sling burgers if I have to.”
The image of him in a fast food uniform made her smile.
“I won’t abandon you ever again, Jill Bailey. You mean everything to me. God…” he closed his eyes and shuddered, then reopened them. “When I finally came to my senses and called you to beg for your forgiveness, and Jeremy answered the phone…I swear my heart stopped.”
She stilled and all his words sunk in. Especially the phone call part. “You called me?”
“Yes.”
Forcing air into her lungs, she blinked. “Before you knew about Donny?”
“Yes,” he repeated, frown wrinkling his brow.
That was it. Her proof. Tears filled her eyes and spilled down her face. “You called me, Mason. Before you knew what had really happened. Before you knew the whole truth.”
He nodded, and she could tell he wasn’t sure what she was getting at but liked the look in her eyes.
She tugged her hands free, and this time, she cupped his face. “You believed in me. You took a chance, listened to your heart or your gut.”
“Both,” he said.
“You trusted in me, even though you saw what you saw.”
“Yes,” he said, wrapping his arms around her, holding her tight, like maybe he didn’t want to let her go. “Yes. I should’ve done that from the start, and you have no idea, Jill, no damn idea how sorry I am that I hadn’t. But I did come to my senses the next day. I think the whiskey may have delayed that revelation.”
She set her forehead to his chin and choked out another laugh. “Could be.” Then she drew back and stared into his open, needy gaze. “I’m just glad you did before you talked to Jeremy, because that meant you do trust me.”
He tightened his hold. “I do. I trust you with my life. And I love you. So much.”
A collective sigh echoed through the shop, reminding her they weren’t alone. She didn’t care about their audience. Only cared about the man who held her heart in his hand. The man she just discovered had her back. Wanted to be with her no matter what. Loved her.
He loved her.
“I love you, too, Mason.” Tears spilled down her face again.
With a low growl, he hauled her close and held her tight. She sighed and melted into his hard strength, reveling at the feel of his heart beating strong and sure in his chest. This was where she belonged. Where she wanted to stay.
“I don’t want to leave the Poconos,” she told him. “I have everything I could possibly ever need or want right here.”
“What about your dream?” he asked, drawing back to stare down at her. “Getting your chocolate worldwide?”
She slid her palms over his shoulders and down to his chest. “You are my dream, Mason Wyne. You and the way you want me.”
“Very much.” He brushed a thumb over her jaw.
“Need me.”
His head lowered and repeated, “Very much.”
She felt her throat tightened. “Love me.”
“So damn much.”
Then he was kissing her with everything he had, everything he meant, everything he felt, and she happily returned each emotion, her body coming back to life, her shattered heart suddenly whole and beating rapidly. He drew back just enough to lightly brush his lips across hers one more time, as if he was afraid to break the connection. As if she was his lifeline.
He certainly was hers.
A round of applause met her ears and her heart kept the pace.
“You know what I discovered goes perfect with Wyne?” she asked.
A mischievous grin tugged his lips as his hands travelled down to rest at her waist. “What?”
She smiled. “Chocolate. Wyne and chocolate. Best thing I ever tasted.”
**♥**
Phoebe’s temporary gig as a substitute music teacher at an elementary school is just what the burnt out, former Broadway star needs to regroup from a demanding, and lately, unsatisfying career. Exposing children to the magic of music has reawakened her love for the basics. The Poconos is a great place to find herself, and she was finding her frequent encounters with the handsome, single father of one of her students has reawakened a different type of passion.
But he’s made it clear he’s not looking for permanent, and for the first time in her life, she’s not looking for temporary. Maybe what his locked up, guarded heart needs is a little song.
♥
Wyne and Song
Citizen Soldier Series: Book Three/Ethan
Coming Fall 2015
**♥**
**♥**
Holly’s stay in Harland County, Texas is limited. She’s only there to help run her uncle’s ice cream business while he recuperates from an operation. Her home is in Colorado. Her life is in Denver. Her dream job is in Denver but won’t be if she doesn’t get back before her leave of absence runs out. Everybody knows this, but apparently her heart and body didn’t get the memo because they spark to life whenever her uncle’s smoking, hot doctor is around.
The cowboy isn’t looking for a relationship. She isn’t staying. Perfect set up for a fling. What harm could there be?
♥
Her Healing Cowboy
Harland County Series: Book Five/Jace
Coming May 2015
***
Citizen Soldier Series
Book One: Wyne and Dine
*NOR Reviewer Top Pick – Night Owl Reviews*
Lea Gablonski has two dreams: To work at a museum in NYC, and to gain other-than-sisterly attention from her best friend’s brother. So far, she’s 0 for 0. Though her MA in History is just a wall decoration at her family’s diner where she’s working while her dad recovers from surgery, she enjoys her visual encounters with the sexiest man alive—even though he would sooner pat her on the head than take her to bed.
Military born and bred, Battalion Supply Sergeant Benjamin Wyne thrives on order and control in his fulltime career in the PA National Guard, and in his personal life. But when he’s forced to ask his childhood sweetheart’s younger sister to pose as his girlfriend to thwart unwanted advances from
his boss’ wife, his world turns chaotic. Lea is sweet and hot and tastes so damn good he’s addicted. When the attraction takes on a new level at his sister’s wedding, his carefully guarded heart begins to thaw.
But he’s seen many relationships go south. If he takes a chance and gives up control, will Lea be like her sister and leave him for a career in the big city? Yet, if he doesn’t, will the best damn thing to ever enter his life become history?
***
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***
Harland County Series
Visit my Harland County Series Page at my website www.donnamichaelsauthor.com for release information and updates!
Prequel Book .05: Harland County Christmas-Novella
Book One: Her Fated Cowboy
Book Two: Her Unbridled Cowboy
Book Three: Her Uniform Cowboy
Book Four: Her Forever Cowboy
Coming soon:
Book Five: Her Healing Cowboy
Book Six: Her Hot Cowboy-Novella (in new 12 Pack boxed set)
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Drop me a line at [email protected] and request some Cowboy-Tamer swag!
***
Harland County Series
Prequel Book .05: Harland County Christmas
Accounting major Jen has one more year before she graduates and moves out of Harland County to find a corporate job and maybe a good-looking businessman to boot. Cowboys were handsome and fun, but they didn’t stick. Neither did ranch hands. Experience has taught her they come and go, and some took a piece of her heart with them. Well, no more handsome, sexy, cowboys. She wanted a stay around, stable, lifetime type of guy.
Wyne and Chocolate (Citizen Soldier Series Book 2) Page 21