Sweet Forgiveness (Indigo Bay Sweet Romance Series Book 10)

by Jean Oram

  Sweet Forgiveness

  Indigo Bay Sweet Romance Series

  Jean Oram

  Sweet Forgiveness

  Forgiveness. Second chances…and secrets.

  Resort manager Zoe Ward has spent the past year throwing her broken heart into rescuing abandoned pets and ensuring vacationing couples have the trip of their dreams. She even helps engaged couples create their happily ever afters, something she’d believed she was going to have with Ashton Wallace before he left with barely a word about why. But now he’s back and looking for a second chance.

  Ashton can’t stop thinking about Zoe. He knows all she wants is marriage and a family, and he was certain he could provide it. However, when his past life came crashing in before he could pop the question, he left Indigo Bay in order to protect Zoe. But now that things have settled out again, he’s back and looking to turn his biggest regret into a happy ending.

  Will Zoe find room in her heart for forgiveness? And can Ashton prove that this time he’s here to stay? Because he’s been keeping secrets that could ruin everything…and Zoe knows it.

  This book is part of the Indigo Bay Sweet Romance series which includes wonderful books by several great authors. All stories can be read out of order.

  Books by Jean Oram

  New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author

  ~ Full, up-to-date book list: www.jeanoram.com/books ~

  Veils and Vows

  The Promise (Prequel: Devon and Olivia)

  The Surprise Wedding (Devon and Olivia)

  A Pinch of Commitment (Ethan and Lily)

  The Wedding Plan (Luke and Emma)

  Accidentally Married (Burke and Jill)

  The Marriage Pledge (Moe and Amy)

  Mail Order Soulmate (Zach and Catherine)

  Indigo Bay

  Sweet Matchmaker (Logan and Ginger)

  Sweet Holiday Surprise (Cash and Alexa)

  Sweet Forgiveness (Ashton and Zoe)

  Sweet Troublemaker (Nick & Polly)

  Blueberry Springs

  Whiskey and Gumdrops

  Rum and Raindrops

  Eggnog and Candy Canes

  Sweet Treats

  Vodka and Chocolate Drops

  Tequila and Candy Drops

  Companion to the series: Champagne and Lemon Drops (Also available in audio)

  Blueberry Springs Series Starter Box Set (Books 1-3)

  The Summer Sisters—also available in audio!

  Falling for the Movie Star

  Falling for the Boss

  Falling for the Single Dad

  Falling for the Bodyguard

  Falling for the Firefighter

  The Summer Sisters Series Starter Box Set (Books 1-3)

  For the Kids

  1,001 Boredom Busting Play Ideas

  * * * Get the latest news from Jean Oram as well as a free book and other exclusives: www.jeanoram.com/FREEBOOK * * *

  Sweet Forgiveness

  Indigo Bay Sweet Romance Series

  By Jean Oram

  © 2018 Jean Oram

  First Edition

  www.jeanoram.com

  Cover Designed by Najla Qamber Designs

  Thank you for downloading this ebook. Although in electronic form, it remains the copyrighted property of the author, and it cannot be reproduced, modified, copied and/or distributed by any means for commercial or non-commercial purposes whether the work is attributed or not, unless written permission has been granted by the author, with the exception of brief quotations for use in a review of this work. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite online vendor where they can also discover other works by this author. Thank you for your support. Keep reading!

  All characters and events appearing in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to real people, alive or dead, as well as any resemblance to events is coincidental and, truly, a little bit cool.

  ISBN: 978-1-928198-57-4

  0419

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to my Beta Sisters, Erika Howder, Lucy Jones, Donna Wolz, Sharon Sanders, Sarah Albertson, Margaret Cambridge, Connie Williams Mechling, and Debra Lee. Your help with Zoe and Ashton, as well as with the South was instrumental in making this story the best it could be.

  Some of my readers are aware of the troubles I have in naming my characters. (My second born came home from the hospital with a tentative name, so apparently this ‘issue’ of mine doesn’t remain solely with fictional characters.) With well over 100 named characters now, I’m finding the task of naming characters trickier with each book that I write. So, in this book, with Zoe having five fur babies, I decided to take the easy way out. I mean, um, grant a few of my Jeansters the honor of naming three of Zoe’s feline friends! A big thanks goes to Ruth Hufford for naming the kitty character Pandora. I had written a cat into the early draft who liked boxes, and when Ruth suggested this name, I knew it was a winner. Karen McNicol named the second cat, Mishka, which got quite a few votes in my reader group. And finally we have Binx which is a totally cool sounding name which was chosen by Deborah Thompson Alderman. Thank you for all the wonderful pet names, Jeansters. I may have to ask you to name my future human characters as well!

  I’d also like to thank you Margaret Carney for her wonderful editing tweaks and comments that helped putting the finishing touches on the story, and for Emily Kirkpatrick for catching any last whoopsies!

  As well, thank you to my fellow Indigo Bay authors both past and present, for building this world with me. It’s been a blast!

  Contents

  BONUS SCENES

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Epilogue

  Jean’s Newsletter

  Indigo Bay

  Veils and Vows

  Blueberry Springs

  The Summer Sisters

  About the Author

  The Last Page

  BONUS SCENES

  One year ago—August

  ZOE

  Zoe Ward began packing boxes of books and journals, humming under her breath. She lifted her calico cat, Pandora, out of the box she filled with framed photos. She had a feeling she would soon be hanging them on the walls of her new home with Ashton Wallace. That was, if the way the two of them had been talking was an indication.

  Today, while walking the beach after breakfast, he’d pointed to a town house that was for sale a block from the Atlantic Ocean. He’d taken a photo of the Realtor’s phone number, suggesting they take a look around, since his one-year bachelor suite rental lease was coming up for renewal in a month. Maybe they could buy a place together.

  She’d barely been able to breathe, she’d been so excited. Now, hours later, she was using her nervous energy for good and packing up clutter so her small house would show better should she need to put it up for sale.

  Zoe abandoned the box and hummed and danced her way across her bedroom to check her cell phone. She was expecting a text from Ashton, since it was just about bedtime. Texting goodnight was part of their daily routine, and it was a ritual she looked forward to. Tonight, as per their Friday night tradition, she had made them spaghetti and meatballs from her grandmother’s recipe. Then they’d walked the beach before a lingering, sweet goodnight kiss.

  There was no text yet, and Zoe sent him an emoji of a happy face blowing a kiss.

  T
he past two and a half months had been a whirlwind. She’d managed to keep a check on her usual desire to move along too quickly, but Ashton had been right there, urging them to move faster, talking about their future and creating mutual dreams for them to share. It was perfect. He was perfect, and she couldn’t wait to make him hers.

  After being left the night before her wedding thirteen years ago, she’d been waiting for a man like him. One who wouldn’t claim she was smothering him, or acting too clingy. One who was as into commitment and sharing each other’s lives as she was.

  Zoe set down her phone and smiled as she picked up a framed photo of Ashton. She waltzed across the room with it and placed it on her newly cleared off bedside table. She pressed a kiss on her fingertips, then gently brushed the frame’s glass.

  There was a knock at her door and she went to answer it. Her cat Houdini was perched nearby and she scooped him up so he wouldn’t escape.

  She opened the door to find Ashton there. Her heart lifted, thinking he had come all the way back for one more kiss.

  But there was no hug that swept her into his arms, no kiss, no upturn of his lips, even. He came in, closing the door behind him as she released her cat.

  She pulled Ashton into a careful embrace. “Are you okay?”

  He let out a shuddered breath, holding her tight. “I have to go to the city to take care of some personal business.”

  Zoe released him, letting her hands drift to his shoulders, so she could watch his expression. “I’ll come with you.”

  “I think it would be best if I went alone.”

  She stepped back, wishing she still had the cat to hold. “What do you mean, alone?”

  “It’s a big mess I have to straighten out. You don’t need to worry over it. I’ll be home tomorrow night.”

  “You don’t need to protect me from your life, Ash. Worry is what people do for their loved ones. I want to help even if it’s messy.” Only two weeks ago he’d been right there, holding the bucket for her when she’d had the flu. They were past the life-is-perfect stage of their relationship.

  But he didn’t appear convinced.

  “Let me help,” she insisted.

  He placed a kiss on her forehead. “I don’t want to get into it right now. I’ll tell you all about it when I’m home again.”

  “Is everyone all right?”

  “Yeah. I just…” He paused on his way to the door. “I need some space to figure things out.”

  Space.

  That was never a good word.

  Why had he been talking about buying a house together if he wasn’t ready? Had she missed the signs again? Had she somehow been pushing him into things he didn’t truly want or wasn’t ready for?

  “Is this about us moving in together?” she asked.

  He looked surprised, then confused. “What? No. Why?”

  Zoe toyed with her necklace while draping her free arm across her gut. “Oh. Um, I don’t know. It just seems like we’re moving really fast and suddenly you’re… You know what? It’s fine. I’m just worried and want to help, that’s all.”

  “I thought you were okay with where things were moving with us.”

  “Yeah! No, I am fine. Great, even. Are you?”

  He gave her a strange look. “Yes.” He shook his head as though trying to remove the crazy vibe that had settled around them. “I’ll call you.”

  “When?” She winced, realizing she sounded needy.

  He let out a slow breath, and the pinched, pained look that was there earlier returned. “Hopefully, when I get home tomorrow night.”

  “Well then, until tomorrow.” She opened the door for him, letting him out. “If you need anything, you know where to find me.”

  He turned back, looking so much like the handsome man she loved and trusted in the fading twilight that the worry she’d been feeling vanished. “Thanks. For understanding.”

  “I’ll always be here for you.”

  He smiled softly, brushing her cheek with his thumb. “It’s what I love best about you.”

  He kissed her in a lingering way that somehow felt like a goodbye, and she shivered when he left.

  Whatever was happening was big, and all the more reason he should’ve shared it with her. But…

  Space.

  She truly hated that word.

  ASHTON

  Ashton parked in front of the high-rise apartment he remembered from six months ago. It felt like it had been a lifetime, which was ironically appropriate.

  Palm trees lined the front walk and the grass was green despite the pervasive Charleston heat. Before Zoe, Ashton had dated Maliki for a few months. Even from the start he’d known in his gut it wouldn’t work out. And then she’d proved it by breaking up with him because he always smelled like cinnamon buns from Sweet Caroline’s in Indigo Bay. She’d claimed it was making her crave sweets, causing her to gain weight.

  He chuckled under his breath. What a silly reason for a break up. But those cinnamon buns had led him directly to Zoe. Indigo Bay guest Ginger McGinty had matched the two of them up based on their love of the buns.

  Zoe.

  He hadn’t been straight with her last night and he felt conflicted. He’d wanted to protect her, not cause her unnecessary worry—especially since so much of what he knew, and thought he might do, was mere speculation. Once he talked to Maliki and had a plan, then he’d tell Zoe everything and more. They’d figure things out together.

  But right now…right now the only thing he knew for sure was that he wanted to protect the perfect, untainted part of his life where Zoe resided.

  His time with his ex-girlfriend felt as though it had been so long ago, so unreal. But it had suddenly become so very real.

  And now he was parked in front of her building at nine o’clock on a Saturday morning, wondering how he was going to figure out his life with her and with their baby, due to be born in a few months.

  Ashton let his skull fall back against the headrest and closed his eyes.

  Pregnant. Six months pregnant and only telling him about it now.

  He’d been dropping hints around Zoe about adopting a baby, hoping she would be on board with starting a family even though they were both well past the average age for new parents. He’d always wanted a family. And now it looked as though that wish was about to be granted.

  But not with the woman he loved.

  A baby changed everything.

  And yet, it might change so little. He’d seen friends make stranger things work than raising a child with an ex.

  He and Zoe could take the baby during the summer holidays and weekends, as well as other holidays throughout the year when the child didn’t have school, and neither did he. Maliki wouldn’t have to worry about finding a babysitter and, as a schoolteacher, Ashton would have plenty of time to spend with this little one. They’d find a way to share this child and give it all the love and opportunities it deserved. He wouldn’t be like his selfish father, who’d skipped town, finding the burden of loving and raising a child to be too much.

  With his heart full of hope, Ashton left his car and rang the buzzer in the lobby of the Charleston high-rise. Traffic whizzed by behind him and he wondered if his ex-girlfriend would consider moving to Indigo Bay. The small town on the South Carolina ocean shore would be the perfect place to raise a child, surely better than a city with traffic zipping by at all hours of the day.

  He was let into the building and took the elevator to Maliki’s floor.

  “Hi,” she said, as he approached. She’d been waiting, her apartment door open as she peeked out into the hall, watching for him.

  “Hi, Maliki. You look well.” He felt like a liar, but didn’t know what else to say. Her pregnancy seemed to be taking a severe toll on her and she lacked an expected third-trimester glow.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked.

  She let him into her apartment. “Can I get you a cup of coffee?”

  “I’m fine, thanks. I got some at the gas station.�
�

  “Fabulous coffee, I’m sure,” she teased.

  “I’m curious,” he said, not bothering to beat around the bush, “why you waited so long to tell me about the baby.”

  Her smile faltered and she moved farther into the apartment, which had seemed fine for a single woman in her early thirties a few months ago. Now it seemed tired, worn and dark.

  There was a large box for a baby crib sitting beside the faded armchair she was easing herself into.

  “Do you want me to put this together?” Ashton offered, pulling the box closer, happy to have something to do with his hands.

  “If you don’t mind.” Maliki winced as she sat.

  “Are you okay?” He gazed at her. She was biting her upper lip, fighting tears.

  Ashton’s heart raced. “What’s wrong?”

  “The baby’s not well.”

  “What?” He barely had the breath to talk. Why had she called him here—just to cruelly tell him he wasn’t going to be a father?

  “They’re planning an early C-section. The baby will need surgery immediately after delivery.” She was rubbing slow circles on her stretched stomach, as though soothing the child.