by Cindy Kirk
Brushing a kiss across her fiancé’s cheek, Lynn lifted a hand. “I’ll help.”
Greer turned to her brother. “You want to get everyone’s drink orders?”
“We have both red and white wine, as well as beer,” Hadley called over her shoulder.
“Happy to be of service.” Clay gave her a mock salute. “And what will you be doing, dear sister?”
Greer smiled at her soon-to-be stepfather. “I’ve got some ideas about our mother’s upcoming wedding that I’ve been dying to run by Steve.”
On the way to the kitchen, Lynn looped an arm companionably through Hadley’s. “Now, tell me. How are you holding up?”
It was after ten by the time David left Sturgeon Bay. He’d called Hadley to tell her he was on his way home. She told him his family had just left.
He arrived home to find Hadley sitting on the porch, a glass of wine in hand. A bottle of merlot sat on a wicker table, along with another glass.
“You look exhausted.” She gestured toward the chair. “Come sit for a few minutes. Have you eaten? Your mother and I made meatloaf and scalloped potatoes for the family.”
A startled look crossed his face. “My mother cooked?”
Hadley gave a little laugh. “She said something about going back to her roots. We have plenty of leftovers. It won’t take much to warm up.”
“Thanks, but I grabbed something at the hospital.” He glanced toward the door. “I should—”
“Brynn is sleeping.” Hadley’s eyes, sharp in the dim light, remained on his face. “She went to bed early. I think the day took a lot out of her.”
David frowned. “Is she okay?”
“Just worn out.” Again, Hadley gestured toward the chair. When he sat, she sipped her wine. “What’s going on with Whitney?”
“The doctor is keeping her overnight for observation.” David splashed wine into the empty glass Hadley had set out.
“What do they think is wrong?” she prompted when he simply stared out into the darkness.
Hadley listened intently, waiting to comment until he finished. “That’s why she was off-the-wall with Prim.”
“You heard about that?”
“Prim called. Your mother had also heard all about it from Max.” Hadley shook her head. “I didn’t say anything about the Huntington’s to either of them. I believe once they know about the disease, they’ll understand and forgive.”
“Whitney laid into you pretty hard, too.” David studied her over the rim of his glass. “She was out of control tonight.”
“What happens now?”
“Unless she’s a danger to herself or others, they won’t be able to keep her.” David blew out a breath. “The psychiatrist started her on medication for underlying depression.”
Hadley cocked her head. “How did you get her to agree to go to the hospital?”
“The involuntary jerking is recent. It worries her.” David stared into the darkness. “I told her they might have medicine at the hospital that could help her.”
“Are there medicines?”
“Doctors used to prescribe a specific type of antipsychotic.” David rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger, as if fighting off a headache. “I assumed that’s what they’d put her on, but the doctor in Sturgeon Bay put her on a drug recently approved by the FDA specifically for Huntington’s.”
“Well, that’s a positive.” Hadley sighed. As much as she didn’t care for the woman, she wouldn’t wish this disease, or disorder, or whatever it was, on anyone.
“We’re not married anymore, but she is Brynn’s mother. I couldn’t walk away from her.”
“Of course, you had to look out for her.” Hadley spoke matter-of-factly. “She’s family.”
“Thank you for understanding.” David reached over and took her hand, bringing it to his lips. “I told Whitney that you’re Brynn’s birth mother.”
Hadley inhaled sharply. “What did she say?”
He shrugged. “She’s distracted right now with her health problems. She’ll deal with it at some point.”
“How long do you think she’ll remain in Good Hope?”
“She’s itching to get back to Boca.” David shook his head. “I predict she’ll be on a plane to Florida the day she’s released.”
Hadley twisted the stem of her wineglass back and forth between her fingers. “Did she happen to say any more about Justin and why she thinks I had something to do with his sentencing?”
“She said something about you being arrested, too?” There was no condemnation in his tone, no look like her father would give, the you’d better not be lying to me.
“I’ve never been—” Hadley began, then stopped. She gave a little laugh. “Do you know what a catfight is?”
“Two women fighting.” When David’s lips twitched, everything tense in Hadley went smooth.
“Justin and this guy, the same one who’d texted me, got into a fight.” Hadley sat back in her seat. That night at the country fair seemed a lifetime ago. “While they were punching each other, the guy’s girlfriend attacked me. I only defended myself, but the police arrived and hauled in all of us. We were charged with disorderly conduct. The girl and I paid a fine. The guys each got a week in jail and community service, since it wasn’t their first offense.”
“Fun times.”
“Not really.” Hadley took in air, expelled it slowly. “Thanks for standing up for me to Whitney. I didn’t mean to keep this from you, but Justin’s behavior and the resulting pregnancy are what I think of when I remember that summer.”
“I’m sure there’s a lot you don’t know about me yet.” He cupped her cheek and kissed her softly. “But I know all the important stuff about you.”
“Such as?”
He grinned. “You’re able to share a kitchen with my mother without strangling her.”
Chapter 26
“This place is amazing.” Hadley gestured with her cup of punch to the newly renovated Blooms Bake Shop.
“Even with the delays, we’re still only reopening a week later than planned.” Ami smiled happily. “The shop is just as I envisioned it.”
Though the It’s Cupcake Time clock remained, as did the pink and blue tables with their mismatched chairs, there’d been lots of changes to Blooms Bake Shop. With more room, other tables in equally pretty hues had been added. The trim around the windows and doors sported a fresh coat of paint in a soft mint green. That color was echoed in the large cabinet behind the bake case. Or bake cases, as there were now four running the width of the shop.
A recently acquired three-tiered round table, painted a soft rose, held various prepackaged bags of treats, while chalkboards provided patrons with the pricing for all the bakery items.
The result was a quaint shop that reflected Ami’s bubbly personality and love for her customers. Today, the bakery was filled to capacity with friends and family invited to celebrate completion of the project with sweet treats, including a Bloom staple, lavender cookies with rosewater icing.
Friends and family, Hadley thought, catching sight of David across the room speaking with Cade. Since moving to Good Hope, she’d been blessed with both. She and Brynn grew closer every day, and Hadley’s relationship with the Bloom sisters had blossomed.
The fanciful thought made her smile.
If only…
Hadley pushed the thought away. How many times in the past two weeks had she waited for David to once again tell her he loved her? She’d finally accepted that the declaration had been simply something said in the heat of a moment when he’d been worried about Brynn.
But, oh, how she wished it was true. Not because it would be nice for Brynn to have a mother and father under the same roof, but because she loved David. Heart and soul. As in wanted to spend the rest of her life making him happy.
Though David hadn’t mentioned her moving out, now that the bakery had passed inspection and the second-story apartment was ready for occupancy, there was no reason for her to
remain at his house. Especially now that Brynn was back in school and no longer needed a nanny.
“How’s Brynn liking fourth grade?” Ami set down her cup and waved at Cassie, then picked up a lavender cookie.
She needs a mother. She needs me.
For a second, Hadley feared she’d spoken aloud, but Ami only continued to smile, an expectant look in her eye.
“She loves it.” Hadley’s lips curved the way they always did when she thought of her daughter. “She’s so smart and social.”
“I bet she’s loved having you around.”
Loved, Hadley thought, as in past tense.
“It’s been wonderful.” A lump formed in Hadley’s throat. “The time I’ve spent with her and David is a dream come true.”
Ami’s green eyes softened. “I knew it’d work out.”
Hadley blinked and realized she’d given her friend the wrong impression. “But—”
“There’s our girls.”
“Dad.” Ami popped the rest of the cookie in her mouth and gave her father a hug.
To Hadley’s surprise, Lynn gave her a quick hug. It really shouldn’t have been a surprise, since David’s mother had started with the hugs right after they’d made meatloaf together.
Hadley didn’t mind. She liked the closeness. Liked Lynn.
She’d be the perfect mother-in-law…
Stop it, Hadley told herself. Things were the way they were, and wishing wouldn’t make them different.
“Brynn is going to love this shop.” Lynn glanced at Hadley. “You and I will have to bring her here some weekend.”
Hadley knew she’d likely be working, but summoned a smile. “Sounds like fun.”
The four of them chatted for a few minutes. Every so often, Hadley would cast a surreptitious glance in the direction of the cupcake clock, where David was having an intense discussion with his brother.
Without warning, David turned and caught her staring. He smiled, then shot her a wink.
Hadley returned his smile as her heart swelled with love. David was simply the nicest and the best. The best guy. The best friend. The best father.
“We’re going to mingle. We’ll see you ladies later.” Steve brushed a kiss across his daughter’s cheek. “The lavender cookies taste just like the ones your mom used to make.”
High praise indeed, Hadley thought when she saw Ami blink back tears.
“Are you okay with them being together?” Hadley asked Ami as the two strolled off.
“I am.” Ami’s lips tipped up. “They’re good together. Not like him and the piranha.”
“I saw Anita earlier with Tim.” Hadley lowered her voice to a confidential whisper. “I was surprised you invited her.”
“How could I not? Lindsay is a good friend, and Anita was a personal friend of my mother, which is still something I find hard to understand.” Ami gave a little laugh. “Fin still calls her I-Need-a-Man.”
Hadley chuckled. “To her face?”
“No, though I wouldn’t put it past my sister if Anita pushed the wrong buttons.”
“Your dad was decent about his breakup with Anita. I mean, whenever I’ve seen them at the same event, he’s always gone over to speak with her.”
“He wants them to still be friends.” Ami picked up another cookie from her plate. “I remember when he decided to break it off. No ghosting for my dad. He did it face-to-face. He was so nervous beforehand.”
“Because he was worried how she’d react?”
“That was probably part of it,” Ami conceded, “but I think it was more that he’s such a nice guy and didn’t want to hurt her.”
The tightness in Hadley’s chest grew with each word. David had been nervous and secretive these past few days. Could he be planning to break it off with her?
She had no doubt he’d be willing to let her be part of Brynn’s life. The problem was, he wouldn’t be in her life.
“Are you okay?” Concern filled Ami’s voice. “You look pale all of a sudden. Are you feeling okay?”
“I feel great.” Hadley put some enthusiasm behind the words. “You’ve got a nice place here, Ami.”
“I agree.” That voice and his hand on her shoulder had Hadley turning. The love of her life stood smiling at her.
She smiled back. “Hey, you.”
The look in his eyes was as warm as the clasp of his hand.
“David.” Ami flashed a bright smile. “I’m glad you and Hadley could make it.”
David gestured wide with an arm. “This is a first-rate remodel. It looks good.”
“Kyle and his crew did a fabulous job.” Ami glanced over to where the contractor stood, his wife at his side. “We hoped to be open by Labor Day. But this worked out. I’m sure you and Brynn didn’t mind having Hadley under your roof for an extra week or so.”
David grinned. “It was difficult, but we made it work.”
Ami laughed. “Speaking of Kyle, I haven’t had a chance to say hello to him and Eliza.”
“Go.” David slung an arm around Hadley’s shoulders. “I’ll keep this one company.”
Ami wiggled her fingers in good-bye, then disappeared into the crowd.
“I haven’t seen much of you since we arrived.” Hadley winced. What was she thinking? It wasn’t as if they were joined at the hip.
He cocked his head. “Will you take a drive with me?”
Her heart stuttered. “Where to?”
David put his palm against her back. “Somewhere more private.”
“Sure. Great.” Hadley forced herself to breathe in and out as they said their good-byes.
By the time David turned into the drive leading into Peninsula State Park, Hadley had to resist the impulse to urge David to simply spit it out. She’d rather he just told her he wanted to be friends, rather than making small talk about the changes to the bakery and then the weather.
The weather.
A clear sign this little trip to somewhere private wouldn’t end well.
By the time David pulled into an empty parking lot next to the recently reopened observation tower, Hadley felt numb inside.
He hurried around the front of the car to open her door. It figured he’d be solicitous. David was like Steve in that respect, a true gentleman, no matter what the circumstances.
David took her hand when she stepped from the car, and Hadley didn’t pull away.
If he could be polite, she could do no less. Besides, this might be one of the last times that she would be able to touch him, other than in the most casual manner.
They walked to the base of Eagle Tower, originally built as a lookout for forest fires. The new structure rose high over the Bay of Green Bay.
Hadley inclined her head back. “I’ve never been up here. They closed the old one shortly after I moved here.”
“The wood had deteriorated, plus it had been determined the load-bearing weight wasn’t adequate for public use.” David cast her a sideways glance. “Feel like doing some climbing?”
“Sure.” Since exercise was supposed to reduce anxiety, Hadley figured a bunch of steps were just what the doctor ordered. “Want to race me to the observation deck?”
David laughed. “Maybe another time.”
The breeze off Green Bay riffled his dark hair. In jeans, a blue polo and sneakers, he looked more like a man on vacation than a prominent architect.
With great effort, Hadley pulled her gaze from him. She began to climb, feeling like a condemned prisoner on her way to the gallows.
“We’ll be able to talk privately once we reach the top.” David fell into step beside her. “We’ll be alone and undisturbed.”
“Not necessarily. The tower is open to the public.”
“Obviously, you didn’t notice the sign Cade put up.”
Hadley saw no reason to mention she’d been too busy looking at him. “What did it say?”
“The tower is closed, by order of the sheriff’s department, for the next hour.”
Hadley stopped suddenly.
“Can Cade do that?”
“He did.” David grinned. “An extra thank-you for the plans I drew up for him and Marigold.”
“You could have just done this at the house,” Hadley muttered.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing.” Hadley picked up the pace. Cade had deliberately given David the privacy he needed. Did everyone but her know this was going down today?
Ami didn’t. Hadley was sure of it. Her friend wouldn’t have let her walk into this blind. She would have given her a heads-up.
Hey, Hadley, the man you love is going to tell you today that he just wants to be friends. Hadley winced at the thought as she stepped onto the observation deck.
“I used to climb up here in high school when I had thinking to do, or when something was gnawing at me.” David’s sheepish smile had her stomach clenching. “I know it sounds crazy, but this place always helped put things in focus.”
The best Hadley could manage was a nod. She moved to the rail and gripped it tight. Gazing west, she stared, unseeing, at the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the distance.
“Like I said, there’s something important I need to say to you.”
The serious dip in his tone had Hadley releasing her death grip on the rail. She wasn’t a coward. She would face him and hear what he had to say with her head high. But she turned too quickly and stumbled.
David was there, the way he always was for her, hands on her arms to steady her. The fragrant woodsy scent from the cedar trees mixed with the familiar citrus of his cologne.
“You’re trembling.” Concern filled his voice, and he pulled her tight.
“Just say it.” She stiffened and pushed him back, resisting the overwhelming urge to burrow into him. “I want this over with.”
He stepped back, and his lips twitched. “I believe it’s customary to drop to one knee first.”
Hadley stared. “Dr-drop to one knee?”
“When you propose to the woman you love.” As if needing to touch her, he tenderly brushed back a strand of hair. “I believe it’s common to say a few words, too. If you don’t mind, that is.”
It took several erratic heartbeats for Hadley to find her voice. She waved a hand. “I don’t mind. Talk away.”
