The Family He Didn't Expect

by Shirley Jump

  That’s what you do, isn’t it? You leave?

  Abby’s words had haunted his thoughts ever since Tuesday night. When she’d confronted him, a part of Dylan had wanted to leave right then and there, get back on the road, where no one expected anything of him—

  And where he wouldn’t let anybody down.

  That was the crux of it, wasn’t it? That he didn’t want to disappoint anyone again. But who had he really disappointed?

  Not Uncle Ty, who had said to him this morning that Dylan had brought him back from the edge of his despair. Ty had given him a long hug and thanked his nephew over and over again for all he had done. There’d been tears in Ty’s eyes and genuine love in his voice.

  Not Cody, who had come up to Dylan at the center today to show him his math test, with a very proud B in red at the top. Cody thanked Dylan for making the equations understandable. And for turning me around when I got lost, the teenager had added.

  Then there had been Jake, who had run into the center this afternoon, calling out Uncle Dylan with such joy in his voice that it nearly made Dylan choke up.

  And Abby—

  Dylan couldn’t even think about her without his chest tightening. She was the one person he had let down, and hurt. He could still see the tears in her eyes, hear the catch in her words. Damn. He sat in the Jeep for a long, long time, watching Stone Gap wind down for the day, families going home to each other, sitting down at the dinner table, passing rolls and jokes.

  Then he put the Jeep in gear and started to drive.

  * * *

  As soon as Abby pulled into the driveway on Thursday night, the boys were out of the car, dashing inside with the pizza she had picked up on the way home and the latest superhero movie she had rented. For all her talk about wanting to enjoy more spontaneity with her boys, though, all Abby wanted to do right now was crawl into bed and cry.

  Dylan had stopped in at the center this afternoon, said goodbye to both her sons and Ty, then stopped to say goodbye to her. His words were short, to the point. Nothing flowery, nothing romantic. He could have been saying goodbye to his dentist for all the emotion in his sentences.

  Her heart ached, her eyes burned, but she kept putting one foot in front of the other. Kept being the responsible one, the one who stayed and built roots.

  After she set the boys up with the movie, she poured a rare midweek glass of wine and went out to sit in the rocker on her front porch. How long had it been since she’d sat here and enjoyed watching Stone Gap ease into night? She used to love seeing the streetlights wink on, the parents coming home at the end of the day, the families getting in one last game of catch before bedtime.

  But tonight, all that made her incredibly sad. She sipped her wine and wondered if it was worse to try to go back inside and pretend she actually cared if a group of superheroes saved the world.

  Her phone rang, and her sister’s name lit up the screen. Two calls in the space of a week? Melanie must be either bored or homesick. “Hey, Mel.”

  “What’s up? You don’t sound like yourself.”

  “Just...” What was she supposed to say? I was let down by another charmer? I fell for Mr. Wrong again? “Drinking some wine and trying to forget a guy.”

  “It’s always about a guy, isn’t it?” Melanie sighed. “Was he nice?”

  “Yeah. And smart and good with the boys and...gone.”

  “Gone for good or just for now?”

  “I don’t know.” She didn’t quite want to accept yet that Dylan might never return to Stone Gap. A stubborn part of her clung to hope. Stubborn and stupid. She’d learned this lesson once before. She needed to let go of the fantasy of Dylan and accept the reality.

  “If you find a guy who’s smart and good with the boys and treats you well, hold on tight,” Melanie said. “Trust me, those men don’t come along every day.”

  “Good advice,” Abby said. But the words stung her throat. The man had come along and left again. There was no way to hold on to him—because he didn’t want to stay.

  “Listen, I think I will come down and visit you. Let me take a look at my schedule and see when I can fit in a visit, okay? I really need...” Melanie paused “...some sister time.”

  Abby thought of yesterday, of how overjoyed Jake had been to see his brother home again. She prayed her sons never lost that connection and stayed close long after they were adults. “I do, too, Mel. I really do.”

  They chatted a little while longer, while Abby went down to the box, retrieved the mail, then returned to her seat. After she hung up with her sister, Abby went through the envelopes—a thick stack because she’d forgotten all about getting the mail in yesterday’s madness.

  Bills, flyers, catalogs, an ad for a spa opening in a nearby town, then a letter. She opened the envelope and scanned the contents. She had to read it twice before she believed the words before her.

  She got up, opened the front door to go inside and make a call when a pair of headlights swung into her driveway. She blocked her eyes from the sudden glare, then blinked. She knew those headlights. Knew that vehicle.

  Knew that man.

  The engine cut off, the headlights blinked into darkness. The Jeep’s door opened and Dylan stepped out. He hesitated a second, reaching into the truck for something. Abby’s heart leaped, but she cautioned herself not to get too excited. He could be here because he forgot something or wanted to say goodbye to the boys again. She put down her wineglass and got to her feet.

  “So,” Dylan said as he approached, his voice still making her heart flip, “turns out I had a little trouble leaving town.”

  “Car trouble?”

  “Nope.” Then he came into the light and she saw what he had in his hands. One of the puppies from next door. Not just any puppy, but the puppy that Jake had named Dudley. The dog had fallen asleep but stirred when Abby approached. “I sat on the hill outside of town for a good hour, trying to find the motivation to get on the road and head to Maine. But as I looked down into Stone Gap, I realized everything I ever wanted was at the bottom of that hill, not a thousand miles away from here.”

  “Everything you ever wanted? As in a dog?” She didn’t dare let the hope come to life again. Almost didn’t dare to meet his gaze. She wanted to tell him about the letter she had received—the grant that had come through for the community center—but if he wasn’t staying, it wouldn’t matter to him.

  “I’ve been an idiot, Abby,” Dylan said. He put the dog on the chair on the porch, then took her hands in his and held tight. “I’ve spent my whole life running from this town because I thought I hated it. What I really hated was the person I used to be when I lived here. I was running away from him. From the mistakes I made, the reputation I had. But I couldn’t put enough miles in between all that. Not until I came back here and faced my past. And met you and your boys.”

  She held her breath, not sure where the conversation was going to go next. Only knowing she wanted him to keep talking. Even the yellow Lab was watching, tail beating a soft tune against the cushions. The hope in her chest began to bloom again.

  “You changed my life, Abby. From the minute we met, you looked at me and you saw just me. And you made me crave the very things I never thought I wanted. A family. A dog. And most of all, a woman who looks at me the way you look at me.”

  Her breath caught in her throat. “And how do I look at you?”

  “Like you love me.”

  She dipped her gaze. What if he didn’t love her in return? What if she was still being the foolish one? Because she did love him and couldn’t bear it if he didn’t feel the same.

  The puppy scrambled down from the chair and pawed at Dylan’s leg. He picked the dog up with one arm, then turned back to Abby. Dylan tipped her chin until she was looking at him. “And I look back at you like I love you, too.”

  “You do?”

  He smile
d. “I do. I love the way you laugh and the way you smile. I love how you love your sons. I love how good you are at fishing and how easy you are to please, and most of all, I love how I feel when I’m with you.”

  “And how is that?”

  “Like I’ve come home, Abby. For the first time in my life.” He brushed away a tendril of her hair, and had such tenderness in his eyes, she nearly cried. “So I decided it’s about time I put down some roots and stayed here in Stone Gap. With you. And Dudley, if you’ll have us.”

  She wrapped her arms around him and the puppy, and laid her head on his shoulder. Everything she had dreamed of was all coming together in this one instant. She thought of her sister’s words, about finding a good man and holding on tight. She intended to do that, starting right now.

  “A PUPPY!!” Jake came barreling down the hallway, slamming into Abby’s legs. “I knew it!”

  Or maybe she’d do that in a minute, when they were alone again.

  Dylan bent down and handed the little dog over to Jake, making sure he had a solid grip on the squirming bundle of fur. “Dudley needs a home,” he said. “Think you can give him a good one?”

  Jake nodded. And nodded again. And nodded until Abby thought her son’s head might bounce off. “I can. I promise.”

  “You know, Jake... I think you’re going to need some help with this puppy,” Dylan added. “Walking him, training him. I should tell you, I am a pretty good puppy trainer.”

  “You are?” Jake’s eyes widened. “Can you help me?”

  “I’m planning on it, kid.” Dylan ruffled Jake’s hair.

  Cody stood in the hallway, watching it all, his face hopeful and scared and vulnerable. His chin jutted up and he eyed Dylan with a flicker of mistrust. “You mean it?”

  Dylan rose. He took Abby’s hand and drew her to his side. “I do.”

  Cody studied him for a long time, then gave Dylan a nod and a flash of a smile. An understanding passed between them, and the guardedness that Cody wore like an extra shirt began to melt. Cody put a hand on Jake’s shoulder. “Hey, squirt, what’s this mutt’s name again?”

  “Dudley. And he’s not a mutt.”

  Cody laughed. “I know. Come on. Let’s take him outside and let Mom talk to Dylan.”

  The boys headed outside, a burst of conversation flowing between them about the dog and a dog house and who was going to walk him first. When the back door opened, a breeze whispered through the house. Abby could swear it carried the scent of happiness.

  “Now where were we?” Abby asked.

  “I was right...” He pulled her against his chest. “Here. Exactly where I should be.” He kissed her then, long and slow and sweet, while the night birds began their evening calls and the families around them wound down for the day. Her grandfather used to call it the magic hour, and as Abby curved against Dylan, she thought that was a perfect description. An absolutely perfect description.

  Epilogue

  The grant for the community center had given them enough money to expand, adding a game room, a second bathroom and a bank of computers for the kids to use for homework. The center buzzed with life every day, just as it should. Ty was a new man, dividing his time between working there and working on his fishing skills.

  Dylan stood in the middle of the center and saw happy, busy kids. He’d started his construction business last month and already had contracts to build two new houses in nearby towns. He worked part-time at the center with his uncle, keeping his hours on the construction sites flexible enough to be here most afternoons.

  “Hey, Dylan, I had an idea.”

  Dylan turned to Cody. The kid had filled out in the last couple months. His grades were up, his eyes brighter, his face happier. He worked with Dylan on the weekends and really seemed to have a knack for building. “Sure. What is it?”

  “How about I lead the teen group today? I was thinking, you know, the whole peer-to-peer thing might work well.”

  Dylan nodded. “I think that’s a great idea. Go right ahead.”

  Cody grinned, then headed over to the center of the sofas. He got the attention of the other teenagers and exchanged a little small talk before turning the conversation to school and grades. “You know, I hate to say it, and probably wouldn’t in front of my mom, but doing homework actually does make the rest of it easier. I’m even thinking about going to college.”

  The other kids scoffed. “Why go to more school?” Matt asked.

  “Because it opens up doors,” Cody said. “Opportunities. Choices. And I like the idea of more choices. I like having more options?”

  The others nodded agreement, and the conversation shifted to jobs, then colleges. There were still several naysayers in the group, but Dylan heard many of the boys chiming in, supporting Cody.

  “He’s becoming quite the leader,” Uncle Ty said.

  “Yep. I’m proud of him.” And he was. It was weird, because Dylan wasn’t really Cody’s dad, but every day he spent with the two boys, he fell into that role more and more. There’d been more fishing trips, a couple overnight trips to the old campground, and a trip to a dinosaur museum with Jake. Every time he saw them, the bond between them grew until it felt like Cody and Jake had always been part of his life.

  “He reminds me of someone else I knew at that age.” Ty clapped Dylan on the back. “Good job, Dylan. You’ve really turned this place around.”

  “I’d say that was a team effort.”

  Ty smiled. “We do have one heck of a great team here, don’t we?”

  Dylan grinned. “We do indeed.” Between the boys, himself, Ty and Abby, the center had become a new place, even better than before. Aunt Virginia’s picture hung on the wall, her smile seeming to say she was well pleased with how her legacy was continuing.

  The door to the center opened, and Abby hurried in, with Jake by her side. Dudley brought up the rear, still all gangly puppy legs and too-big paws, but perfectly content to trot along beside Jake, who spoiled the dog rotten. Truth be told, Abby and Dylan did, too, and Cody had sneaked him bites at dinner more than once. The Lab had made a perfect addition to their family, and although Dylan came by every day to let the dog out and walk him, it wasn’t the same as actually going to sleep in the same house with Abby, Jake, Cody and Dudley.

  Abby stopped when she saw Dylan and smiled that smile he loved. Dylan patted his pocket and worked a smile to his own face, then strode forward to greet her. “Glad you’re here.”

  “Sorry I’m late. That presentation ran over, but it worked out well anyway. The agency landed the contract and put me in charge of the new account.” Abby beamed.

  “That’s great, Abby. I’m thrilled for you.” He ruffled Jake’s hair. “And how was school today?”

  “We talked about dinosaurs! Did you know a person who studies dinosaurs is called a pale-o-tologist?” Jake said. “That’s what I want to be when I grow up. Or maybe a vet...vetra-narian. Cuz I love dogs.”

  “Or maybe both, Jake.” Dylan pointed to the craft table. “Hey, I think Mavis is waiting for you.”

  “Great! Thanks!” Jake bounded off. His dog bounded after him, then settled at his feet under the table.

  Dylan grabbed Abby’s hand before she could head into the office to do any last-minute work. “Hold on a second. I want to show you something.”

  She gave him a curious glance. “Okay.”

  He led her through the center and into the hall where the four of them had installed a new wall just a few short months ago. His heart pounded in his throat, but the rest of him felt sure and confident. In fact, he’d never been surer about anything in his life.

  “There’s a problem with the wall we put in,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s going to last. It might need a stronger foundation. Why don’t you take a look at it and tell me what you think?”

  Abby stood back and assessed the wall.
“I don’t see anything wrong, Dylan.” She paused, looked closer. The confusion on her face yielded to something tentative, cautious. “Wait. Did you write something on here?”

  By the time Abby read the words he’d scrawled on the unpainted wall earlier today, Dylan was already on one knee, the velvet ring box propped open. She turned to him and stared, mouth agape. “Dylan...what...what are you doing?”

  “The second smart thing I’ve done in a long time. The first was not going to Maine.” He leaned toward her. “Will you marry me, Abby?”

  Her smile bloomed into the biggest one he’d ever seen. She barely hesitated before the joy lit her eyes. “Yes, Dylan, yes! Of course I’ll marry you.”

  He let out a whoop, then rose and slid the ring onto her finger. He leaned around the corner and called out to his sons. He’d sat both of them down yesterday and asked them for permission to marry their mom. If the boys hadn’t been on board, Dylan would have waited. But both kids had been as overjoyed as Abby. And when Jake asked if he could call Dylan Dad, he almost broke down and cried. They were his sons, now and forever, and this was his family. Dylan was a bit overjoyed himself. “Cody, Jake, she said yes!”

  The boys rushed in and gathered Abby and Dylan in a celebratory hug. The four of them stood in the hall where they’d once rebuilt something that had been torn down, and now began to build a new family together. The family Dylan had always wanted, and the home he’d searched the world for and only found when he came back to the very place he left.

  * * *

  Look for Melanie Cooper’s story,

  Their Last Second Chance,

  the next book in New York Times

  bestselling author Shirley Jump’s miniseries,

  The Stone Gap Inn.

  Available August 2019,

  wherever Harlequin books and

  ebooks are sold.

  Keep reading for an excerpt from The Dating Arrangement by Kerri Carpenter.

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