He laughed. “You sound surprised.”
“I am.” She frowned. “I’ve spent the past five years hating you so much.” She felt him tense. “I guess I’m just now realizing that I never really hated you at all. I was just masking the hurt.”
His expression grew tortured. “I’m so sorry I hurt you.” His voice shook with intensity. “I promise you, it’ll never happen again.”
“I should’ve been more patient. I should’ve understood how hard it was for you to contemplate leaving everything you’d ever known.”
He released her hand and caressed her hair. “The truth is, I was scared.”
A laugh escaped her throat. “You scared? Right.” Then, she realized he was being sincere. She searched his handsome face. “Scared of what?”
He swallowed. “Of your ambition.” A humorless smile touched his lips. “I was intimidated by your success. I couldn’t stand the thought of going to New York as a tagalong. You were on fire. I was unsure of my future, unsure of what I could accomplish.” A hint of sadness overtook his features. “Now you know the rest of the story.”
She could tell that it had cost him a great deal to tell her these things. She cringed thinking how she’d acted earlier today, as if he were subpar for purchasing the hardware store and giving up on his music. After seeing him tonight with the kids, singing his heart out, Kinsley realized that Gunner hadn’t relinquished anything. He was using his gifts and talents to enrich the lives of others. And, he was doing it freely without getting anything in return; whereas, she was always thinking of her career and the acclaim each play would bring. “You are an amazing man.” Her eyes grew moist. “I didn’t realize how you felt.” She paused to stay the emotion as she swallowed. “All this time, I thought you didn’t care … that you’d chosen the town over me.”
“I’m sorry.”
A tear escaped the corner of her eye and trickled down her cheek. “Me too. Can we be friends again?” she squeaked.
He let out a low, throaty laugh. “Oh, yes, friends and much more,” he said as his lips claimed hers.
8
Kinsley awoke the next morning, her heart dancing on air as she remembered all that had happened the night before. It was crazy how quickly things had changed between her and Gunner. Was she ready for this? She had no idea how they were going to navigate a long-distance relationship, but she was tired of trying to make her life work without Gunner. As she threw back the covers and sat up, her phone rang. “Hey, Cassidy,” she said breezily.
“Good morning. How are things going there?”
“Fantastic,” she gushed.
Enthusiasm sounded in Cassidy’s voice. “Does this mean you’ve had a breakthrough with A. G. Wells?”
Kinsley frowned. “No, not exactly. I’m meeting with Lillian Yates this morning. Lillian told me last night that A. G. is warming up to the idea of meeting with me …” she made a face “…whatever that means. I think Lillian’s getting a kick out of stringing me along.” She put her feet on the floor and stood. “Lillian likes having me as her lackey. No telling what she’ll have me doing today.”
“You sound awfully happy, considering things are at a stand-still. What’s going on?”
“Well ...” She went into the adjoining bathroom, checking her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was a mess. She looked at her lips, still swollen and pink from the kisses. She smiled, remembering the feel of Gunner’s lips on hers.
“Hello, earth to Kinsley. Are you there?”
“Oh, yeah.” An airy laugh left her throat.
Suspicion sounded in Cassidy’s voice. “What’s going on?”
“Gunner and I are back together.” The admission burst joyfully from her lips.
“What?” Cassidy laughed in surprise. “Are you serious?”
“Yep.”
“That was fast.”
She flinched at the disapproval in Cassidy’s voice. “I thought you’d be happy. You’re always telling me that I’ve never gotten over Gunner.”
“I am happy. It’s just fast, that’s all.”
Apprehension tightened Kinsley’s stomach. “Yeah, it was fast, but is that a bad thing?”
“No, not necessarily. Just be sure you’re making the right decision. All I’ve heard for the past two years is how terrible Gunner was for marrying your high school nemesis. You go home for several days and whamo you’re back together with him. I’m just surprised, that’s all.”
“Well, it’s a good surprise,” she countered. “Gunner and I talked things over. Now I realize why he married Carol Ann.”
“Like you talked things over with Fleming when you caught him making out with that actress the day after he proposed and you told him you needed time to think it over?”
“This is different.” Her mind began to whirl, her chest tightening. It was different, wasn’t it? “I love Gunner,” she blurted. “I’ve always loved him.” She wished she’d never taken Cassidy’s call. She’d woken up, right with the world. Now, all her previous misgivings were rushing back full force. “You should be happy for me.”
“I am happy for you. If you’re truly in love, then more power to you. I just want you to be sure of what you’re doing.”
“I am.” Even in her own ears, her statement lacked conviction. Was the thing with Gunner all just a wonderful dream? Would it fade back to normal in the cold light of day?
“Okay, then. Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” Kinsley said dully.
“All right. Now for the reason I called.”
“What’s up?” Kinsley asked flatly.
“I’ve been doing some digging. Did you know that Lillian Yates’s maiden name is Wells?”
Kinsley’s breath caught. “What?”
“Yep. Also, I made a few phone calls to A. G. Wells’s publishing house. Get this, several of the people there know Lillian Yates.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean anything. Lots of people know Lillian Yates.” Was it possible? Could Lillian be A. G. Wells? As far as Kinsley knew, Lillian didn’t have a single literary bone in her body.
“Here’s the clincher. Her late husband was close friends with the owner of Bridgepoint Publishing.”
Kinsley’s heart began to pound. “Do you really think it could be Lillian?” She barked out a laugh. “It would explain why A. G. Wells wanted to have the meeting at the Magnolia Blossom Inn and how Lillian just happens to be friends with her.”
“If Lillian is A. G. Wells, think about what that could mean. Lillian offered you a job running a community theater. If she’s A. G. Wells, then you could have access to not just one, but all of her books.”
“But if I stay here, I’ll miss out on my shot at writing Broadway plays.”
A laugh trilled from Cassidy’s throat. “If you get access to A. G. Wells’s books … with the way you can write … Broadway will come to you.”
Kinsley’s mind raced thinking of the possibilities. If she stayed here, she could be close to Gunner. Her heart leapt at the thought. She raked her hair out of her face, holding it in a ponytail to give her neck air. “Should I confront Lillian about it when I meet with her this morning?”
Long pause.
“Cassidy?”
“Yeah, I think I you should. Tell Lillian that you’ll accept her offer, on the condition that she gives you access to her books.”
“This is all assuming that Lillian is, in fact, A. G. Wells.”
“For your and my sake, I hope she is. That would be wonderful.”
“I guess.” Her brows drew together. “Lillian can be a pill to work with.”
“Yeah, but better to deal with the devil you know than the one you don’t.”
Kinsley chuckled dryly. “Easy for you to say. You don’t know Lillian Yates.” She sighed. “I’d better let you go so I can get ready and head over there.”
“Keep me updated,” Cassidy sang.
“I will.”
“Oh, about Gunner. If things progress between the two
of you, then you’ll have to introduce him to me.”
It was amazing how that one statement helped put Kinsley at ease. Of course! Cassidy had never met Gunner. She was basing her assessment on the terrible things Kinsley had said about him over the years. No wonder she was concerned that things were happening so quickly. Once she met Gunner, Cassidy would realize how wonderful he was. “Gotta go. Love ya.”
“Love you too,” Cassidy quipped as Kinsley ended the call.
Kinsley went over to her suitcase. What to wear today? Gunner loved her in red. She riffled through her suitcase, pulling out a crimson sweater, holding it up to herself. The very thought of seeing Gunner again sent tingles rushing through her. She and Gunner hadn’t made any plans to get together today, but Kinsley planned to seek him out after her meeting with Lillian.
She frowned. The idea of Lillian being A. G. Wells seemed so farfetched, but the pieces did seem to fit. She pursed her lips. It would be interesting to see what happened.
* * *
“Good morning, dear,” Lillian said brightly when Kinsley entered her office and sat down. A coy smile spread over Lillian’s lips. “I saw you and Gunner leave the square together last night. I take it things are going well?”
“Yes,” was all Kinsley said, not wanting to delve into the details of her relationship with Gunner. Some things were better kept private, especially from Lillian. She scooted to the edge of her seat. “So, how are things with A. G.? Will she agree to meet with me?” She studied the older woman’s face. She was obviously well-educated, an intelligent light flickering in her eyes. She certainly had the means to pull enough strings to get a book published. Still, it wasn’t just about getting books published. A. G.’s books were heartfelt, poignant, insightful. Lillian seemed like a very impatient person, not the type who could sit down and methodically write.
Lillian smiled. “Sit back and relax. We’ll get to the meeting with A. G. First, I want to talk about your day.”
Kinsley forced herself to scoot back in the chair. Here we go again! “What do you need me to do today?”
Lillian ignored the sarcasm in her voice. “Well, we’ve put together gift baskets to deliver to the needy. I need someone to deliver them.”
“Okay.” That shouldn’t be too hard of a task. Also, giving to the needy was a good thing, something Kinsley could be proud to be a part of. “How many are there?”
“Around seventy-five, I believe.”
Kinsley went bug-eyed. “Seventy-five? That’ll take forever.”
Lillian held up a hand. “You don’t have to deliver all of them. Several people are coming by to help. You can take a few—maybe a dozen or so.”
“Oh, good.” Relief settled over her. “Back to the meeting with A. G. Wells. When can I meet with her?”
Lillian shifted in her seat. “As I told you last night, A. G. is warming up to the idea of meeting with you. Given time, I believe—”
“Are you A. G. Wells?” Kinsley fired out.
Lillian let out a disbelieving laugh. “Goodness, no. Wherever did you get that idea?”
Kinsley didn’t blink as she looked straight at Lillian. “Your maiden name is Wells, is it not?”
Color rose in her cheeks. “Yes.”
“And, your husband was close friends with Peter Langley from Bridgepoint Publishing.”
Lillian’s face fell. “Yes.”
A knock sounded at the door. Kinsley’s heart did a somersault when she realized it was Gunner. He flashed her a disarming smile that held the secret intimacy of their time spent together the evening before. “Hey.”
“Hey,” she responded, her insides turning to mush.
Gunner looked at Lillian. “I’m sorry to interrupt.”
Lillian was obviously relieved because it got her off the hook. “No, it was perfect timing.”
“Perfect timing for what?” Kinsley asked dubiously.
“You’re going to help Gunner deliver the baskets.”
Tingles circled down Kinsley’s spine, and she couldn’t stop the pleased smile from spilling over her lips. “Okay.” Gunner returned her smile as the distance between them shrank. For a split second, Kinsley was so struck by Gunner that all she could do was sit there, gazing into his piercing eyes. Then, she caught herself and pulled her wits back together as she looked at Lillian. “I still want to continue our conversation about the meeting with A. G.” She hoped the firm tone of her voice conveyed that she wasn’t giving up.
Lillian smiled. “Of course.”
Gunner gave Kinsley a puzzled look. “A. G.?”
Kinsley stood. “A. G. Wells the author. Lillian has been kind enough to arrange a meeting with her.” She could tell Gunner had a slew of questions. “I’ll explain while we’re making our deliveries.”
“Sounds good,” he said. Attraction zinged through Kinsley when Gunner placed a hand on the small of her back, leading her toward the baskets.
As they walked beside each other, Kinsley uncovered a great truth within herself. It wasn’t that things were happening fast between her and Gunner, they were merely resuming their relationship. The truth was that her head was just now realizing what her heart had known all along—she belonged to him.
9
They’d just made their last basket delivery and were headed to grab lunch at a pizza parlor on the town square when Gunner said, “So, tell me about A. G. Wells.”
She sighed, collecting her thoughts before launching into an explanation. As she told him the full story about how she’d come home to Remember because of her desire to meet with A. G., a part of her cringed, wondering how Gunner would react when he realized why she was here.
He pulled into an empty parking space, turned off the engine, and shifted to face her. “So,” he drawled, a grin stretching over his lips, “I have A. G. Wells to thank for bringing you back to me.”
A giggle bubbled in her throat as she reveled in the meaning of his words. She had, indeed, come back to him. She knew that now, owned it with all her heart. “Yes, I suppose so.” She dipped her head. “Do you think A. G. Wells is Lillian?”
He burst out laughing.
“Stop,” she insisted, unable to contain her own laughter. “It does sound ridiculous, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah,” he said, mopping his eyes, “it does.”
“Supposedly, A. G. Wells is a close friend of Lillian’s.” She told how Wells was Lillian’s maiden name and how Lillian’s late husband was a close friend with the publisher. After outlining everything, she looked expectantly at Gunner to get his reaction.
He rubbed his jaw. “Lillian is well connected.”
“So, you think Lillian’s being truthful, that A. G. is a close friend?”
“That sounds like the more plausible explanation.”
Her brows knit together. “I just wish I could get Lillian to set up the dang meeting instead of stringing me along,” she lamented.
He cocked an eyebrow. “Like how she finagled having you come with me today to pass out baskets?”
“Yeah.” A smile tugged at her lips. “Although, I didn’t mind that.” Electricity buzzed through Kinsley when Gunner took her hand, his thumb rubbing circles over her skin.
“Remind me to thank Lillian.” Her blood pumped faster as his eyes held hers. “Kinsley, I want you to know how grateful I am that you’ve come back into my life.”
She touched his jaw. “I’m grateful too.”
He searched her face. “Please tell me that you’re here to stay this time.”
“With you, yes.” She frowned. “Although I have no idea how we’ll navigate a long-distance relationship.”
He gave her a reassuring look that helped calm her reservations. “I guess we’ll take it one step at a time.” He grew thoughtful. “Does your family know the real reason why you came into town?”
She pulled a face. “Yeah, Mama wasn’t happy about it. I had to come clean when I asked to borrow her snow boots so I could walk to the Inn, for what I thought was a m
eeting with A. G. Wells.”
“Why is it so important for you to adapt A. G. Wells’s book into a play? You’re a fabulous writer in your own right, why do you need anyone else’s words?”
She chuckled darkly. “Thanks, but you’re biased.”
“No, I’m not,” he countered. “Leap Before You Look was fantastic.”
Her forehead wrinkled in surprise. “How do you know? The play was an off-Broadway production, showing at only one theater.” He gave her a sheepish grin. Her heart did a dance as she connected the dots, a broad smile overtaking her lips. “You saw it.”
“Yep.”
“You actually came to New York to see one of my plays?”
He nodded.
“Why didn’t you come and say, hello?”
His eyes darkened. “I’d planned to …” the muscles in his jaw twitched “… you were with someone else.”
Heat rushed over her. “Fleming.”
“I never knew his name,” he said tersely.
“I had no idea that you’d come to New York.”
His eyes softened as he smiled. “Now you know.”
She laughed to herself. “Yes, I do.”
“Back to A. G. Wells,” he prompted.
“Yes, my last two plays got mixed reviews.”
“So? What do the critics know?”
She smiled. “It’s not what they know, it’s the power that they wield. The short of the story is that no theater is willing to take a chance on me at this point unless it’s a slam dunk.”
“And, adapting A. G. Wells’s book into a play will give you that slam dunk?”
“Well, yeah. It’s the golden ticket.” She chewed on her inner jaw, thinking out loud. “At least I used to think it was. Now, there may be another option.”
Interest lit his eyes. “What?”
The Christmas Bliss Romance Collection Page 25
