Love Lessons in Good Hope : A Good Hope Novel Book 14

by Cindy Kirk

  Charlotte could see he was digging deep and being honest. She could do no less.

  “I never envisioned having a dad in the picture. I believed I could love a child enough to be everything she—or he—would need. After listening to you and seeing the families here tonight, the mothers and the fathers…” She lifted one shoulder in a barely perceptible shrug. “Well, it’s given me a different perspective. Depending on the man, I can see the value.”

  “I’m glad.” Adam extended a hand. “Friends?”

  After a momentary hesitation, she closed her fingers around his. “Friends.”

  Charlotte groaned as the alarm on her phone blared the sounds of a train approaching a crossing, complete with horn and clanging guardrails.

  She kept her eyes closed and fumbled for the phone charging at her bedside. By the time the clanging and horns quieted, the alarm had done its job. She was awake.

  Pushing herself to a sitting position, Charlotte swept back her hair and took a couple of deep, centering breaths. Adam had dropped her off at her door before midnight. By the time she’d fallen to sleep, it was nearly one. Six hours of sleep was not enough for a pregnant woman.

  Why was she up this early? Ah, yes. Walk with the Animals. Or, more specifically, the 5K run.

  She’d agreed to meet Adam at the check-in station at seven thirty. Which meant she needed to kick her morning routine into high gear. But first, coffee.

  Charlotte sipped the flavorful Ethiopian blend while donning running shorts, a tank and shoes.

  Finally ready to head downstairs, Charlotte paused, only now remembering Piper mentioning something several weeks earlier about running together. Nothing had been said since, and Charlotte had forgotten all about it until now.

  She thought of Adam and wondered if he’d be upset if Piper joined them. Still, she wouldn’t ditch Piper just to make Adam happy. She wasn’t that kind of friend. She’d explain, and Adam would have to understand.

  Pulling out her phone, Charlotte texted her friend.

  Heading downstairs and ready to run. Meet you at the tent?

  Piper’s answer came swiftly. Running late. Don’t wait for me.

  Charlotte frowned. Piper had been on the dance floor when Charlotte left the reception. But unlike her, Piper enjoyed rising with the sun.

  Everything okay?

  All good. Catch you later.

  Shrugging, Charlotte navigated the stairs, then stepped into crisp morning air holding the promise of warmth. She breathed in the scent of pine and smiled.

  As she drew closer to the edge of the building, the chirping of birds was drowned out by the sounds of voices and barking dogs. Picking up her pace, Charlotte rounded the building and was confronted by a sea of humanity.

  Main Street had been blocked off for the race. Though the 5K wouldn’t start for nearly thirty minutes, the roadway already held scores of runners, strollers and dogs. Nothing said family-friendly like strollers and dogs. Oh, and little red wagons.

  Dodging and weaving, Charlotte walked briskly, her focus on the check-in tent. She assumed she’d find Adam waiting, but he was nowhere in sight.

  It wasn’t until she stepped out of the tent, race number in hand, that she saw him.

  He held up his hands. “No excuse other than I didn’t realize I’d have to park nearly to Egg Harbor.”

  As if stopping himself from saying more, he paused and took a breath. “You look ready to run.”

  Charlotte gestured with one hand to the crowd. “More like ready to walk.”

  “That’d be nice, too.” Grinning, he ducked into the tent, emerging moments later with his own number.

  She glanced at her watch. “Ten minutes until go time.”

  “Amazing turnout for a good cause.”

  “I heard the money went somewhere.” Charlotte tried to recall what Marigold had told her, but at the moment her brain was having difficulty functioning on little sleep and a single cup of caffeine. “I don’t remember where exactly.”

  “All the money raised from this event is being split between the local animal shelter and the Giving Tree.”

  She remembered hearing something about the Giving Tree when she’d first opened her salon in Good Hope. “That’s a local charity…right?”

  “Not charity.” As they walked in the direction of the starting line, Adam took her hand as if it was the most natural thing in the world to do. “Giving Tree is a fund for helping neighbors who’ve fallen on hard times.”

  “The money comes from specific events.” Charlotte pulled her brows together. “I vaguely recall donating some salon products way back when for a silent auction.”

  “You probably did. The Giving Tree has lots of fundraisers throughout the year, so this time they wanted to share the wealth with the shelter.” Pride filled Adam’s voice as he continued. “I oversaw the Christmas gift giving this past year. It was an incredibly rewarding experience.”

  “I’m trying to recall what I was doing last Christmas.” Charlotte gazed at the sun, and her mind drifted back to San Diego.

  By the holidays, the writing had been on the wall. She’d been trying to right a sinking ship and desperately wishing Santa were real so she could ask him to save her business.

  She was ashamed to admit that, to buoy her spirts, instead of increasing her hours at the salon over the holidays, she’d helped Paul—a man she’d only recently met—decorate a tugboat for the Parade of Lights on San Diego Bay.

  Attaching lights with wire ties and duct tape had been enjoyable at a time when fun had been in short supply. She smiled, recalling that magical evening. She and Paul had just started seeing each other. Once the boat was parade-ready, they’d opened a bottle of Dom and kissed under the stars.

  Adam gave her a poke in the ribs. “You look like you’re reliving pleasant memories.”

  Though she and Adam had decided to just be friends, Charlotte knew enjoying another guy’s kisses wasn’t something to be shared.

  Thankfully, she was spared from needing to say anything more by Fin Rakes’s voice asking everyone running the 5K to get into position.

  “I don’t think there’s room to run.” Charlotte had never seen so many strollers. She looked to see if one of them held Caleb or Fin’s son, Eddie, but she didn’t spot either baby.

  “I’ve never seen these many entrants before.” Adam’s lips curved in satisfaction. “We’re going to be able to do Christmas up right for a lot of families this year.”

  Fin was saying something, but crowd noise had swelled, drowning her out despite the megaphone. But there was no mistaking the sound of the starter pistol.

  Around them, runners surged forward while the walkers with their pets, wagons and strollers waited for their cue to start.

  For a second, Charlotte thought she might be swept away, but Adam took her arm and steadied her as they moved forward.

  “With the size of this crowd, I think this will be more of a stroll.” Charlotte realized she wouldn’t mind that at all.

  “Not just any stroll. A stroll in the fresh air with a handsome guy.” He tapped a thumb against his chest and made her laugh.

  It must have been the conversation last night, the one that had set things to rights between them, that had her feeling so relaxed with him.

  “Did you sleep well?” he asked.

  “Not nearly as long as I’d have liked, but well enough.” She slanted a sideways glance and realized her hand had slipped down into his, and their joined fingers were swinging between them as they walked. “What about you?”

  “Ditto on the not long enough.” Adam stifled a yawn with his free hand.

  The crowd around them had thinned considerably. Runners, attempting to best their own time, had already disappeared from sight. Charlotte expected that Piper would have fallen somewhere between her and Adam and the avid runners.

  “Did you see Piper this morning?” she asked Adam, unable to keep the hint of worry from her voice.

  He shook his head. “Is s
he running today?”

  “She planned on it, but texted she was running late.” Charlotte pushed aside the concern, telling herself she was being ridiculous.

  “She appeared to be having a good time at the reception last night,” Adam mused. “I don’t know if it was Gladys’s intervention or not, but she was on the dance floor with one guy or another the entire evening.”

  Charlotte had noticed that, too. But her friend’s gaiety had seemed forced. Something was going on under the surface with Piper that Charlotte couldn’t identify.

  Adam’s fingers tightened around hers. “If you’re worried, we can go back and check on her.”

  Charlotte didn’t want to overreact, but she had an uneasy feeling. “What about the race?”

  “Forget the race. She’s your friend. If you’re concerned, I want to help.”

  “I’d feel better if we checked on her.” Grabbing his arm, Charlotte pulled him with her past the barricades to the sidewalk.

  “Do you know what’s going on with her?”

  “I honestly don’t. She just hasn’t been herself lately. Stressed, you know, like something is weighing heavy on her mind.”

  “Have you asked?”

  Charlotte nodded. “She insists nothing is wrong, that she’s simply busy with the upcoming move.”

  “You don’t believe her.”

  “I believe the move does have her stressed.” Charlotte expelled a breath. “But whatever is troubling her goes beyond that.”

  Because they hadn’t gone far, it didn’t take long to reach the tent. Charlotte confirmed Piper hadn’t checked in, which only increased her worry.

  In a matter of minutes, she and Adam circled around back to the steps that led up to Piper’s apartment.

  “I know we talked briefly about having breakfast in the square after the race.” Adam met her gaze. “She could join us. Or, if you think it’d be best for you to talk privately, I can split.”

  The generosity of his offer wasn’t lost on her. He really was trying to turn a new page after last night, and Charlotte needed to do the same.

  “Let me see what’s going on, and then we can go from there.” A warmth spread through her. She stepped close, resting a hand on his arm.

  Maybe it was the intoxicating scent of his shampoo. Or was it his soap? Whatever it was, the scent, mixed with his kindness, stirred something in her.

  “Thank you.” Without giving herself time to think, Charlotte wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his.

  Adam reacted immediately, pulling her to him and crushing his mouth against hers.

  One long minute later, her lips still tingling from his kisses, Charlotte climbed the steps to Piper’s apartment.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Charlotte thought Adam might ask to come with her, but he remained at the bottom of the steps.

  He was only, he told her, a shout away if she needed him.

  Reaching the door, Charlotte paused at the sound of music coming through the door. She found the up-tempo beat of the popular song reassuring. After taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly, she gave the door a sharp rap.

  She waited several seconds, then knocked again, with more force this time.

  The door swung open, and there stood Piper, dressed for work, complete with heels and jewelry. Surprise skittered across her face. “Charlotte. This is a nice surprise. Come in.”

  Piper stepped aside, and Charlotte slipped past her.

  The unit was set up much like hers, and it was as neat as a pin. Some of the tension in Charlotte’s shoulders eased. Though it was probably not true, she’d always associated slovenliness with depression.

  “I thought you’d still be at the race.” Piper inclined her head, her expression uncertain.

  “I got worried when I didn’t see you.”

  “I wasn’t in the mood to run.” Piper’s laugh held a tinny edge.

  Charlotte realized she’d have felt better if her friend had used the excuse of wanting to sleep in. Piper hadn’t been in the mood lately for much of anything.

  Let it go, a voice inside her warned. Not your business.

  She almost made a joke of it not being much of a run anyway, then recalled her discussion with Fin. While Charlotte couldn’t make Piper confide, she could let her know she was here for her.

  Charlotte met Piper’s gaze directly. “Is everything okay?”

  Piper looked away. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  Charlotte laid a hand on Piper’s arm. “If there’s anything I can do, or if you ever just need to talk, I’m here for you.”

  Another tinny laugh, this one pitched high. “I simply didn’t feel like running. If that’s a crime, arrest me now.”

  Enough about the race. Charlotte switched gears. “What did Gladys want with you?”

  “She wanted to match me with someone.” Piper waved a dismissive hand. “I wasn’t interested.”

  “You’re not?”

  Piper met her gaze. “Men are nothing but trouble.”

  Something there, Charlotte thought. Another piece to a puzzle that just wasn’t coming together.

  “I’m here for you,” Charlotte repeated.

  “Seriously, my life is great.” Piper flashed a bright smile. “Couldn’t be better.”

  Charlotte didn’t press. On her way down the steps, she wondered who Piper was trying to convince.

  Adam looked up from his phone when Charlotte returned. Seeing the question in his eyes, she didn’t make him ask.

  “Piper is okay. She’s getting ready for work.” Charlotte expelled a breath.

  He inclined his head and kept his gaze on Charlotte. “Why did she skip the race?”

  “She said she didn’t feel like running.”

  His gaze met hers. “Do you believe her?”

  That sense of unease returned. “I think it’s surface-true, but there’s definitely more to it.”

  They didn’t linger. It was as if neither of them wanted to be standing behind Piper’s shop when she came down.

  “We talked about grabbing pancakes after the race.” Charlotte slanted a sideways glance. “Do you mind stopping at my place first? I’d like to change.”

  He smiled. “Works for me.”

  Once they reached her apartment, Charlotte dropped to the sofa.

  Without saying a word, Adam took a seat, too. He kept some distance between them, but she was still conscious of his nearness.

  He didn’t ask why she was sitting on the couch when she’d come to change clothes, only smiled at her.

  “You have a nice smile.” As she said the words, she watched that smile grow even bigger.

  “Thank you.” He rested an arm on the back of the sofa. “So do you.”

  “The first time I saw you, I noticed that your smile was warm, and it reaches your eyes.” Why was she telling him this now, she wondered, when she really should be changing her clothes?

  “There’s a lot I like about you, too.”

  His fingers, dangling just above her right shoulder, toyed with her ponytail.

  On impulse, she slipped off the tie and shook her hair loose.

  “You have such talent with hair.” He rubbed a strand between his fingers, and she shivered. “Combining the dark with the light was brilliant.”

  Her mouth had gone dry, and she found it necessary to clear her throat. “The technique is called balayage. It’s popular and not all that difficult.”

  “You’re being modest.”

  While she was explaining, he’d moved closer. Charlotte didn’t have the slightest urge to move away. “I’m rarely modest.”

  He laughed, showing a mouthful of straight white teeth.

  “Did you ever have braces?”

  He blinked. Appearing amused, he shook his head. “No. Why?”

  “Your teeth are perfect.”

  “So are yours.”

  “Braces.” She pointed at her mouth. “Palate expander, then braces.”

  He wi
nced. “Palate expander, eh?”

  “Not as bad as it sounds, but the braces would have needed to be on longer if I hadn’t gone through it.”

  He only nodded.

  It struck her that she was sitting on a sofa with a handsome man, discussing palate expanders. She winced. “The lack of caffeine is screwing with my head. I apologize.”

  “For what?”

  To his credit, Adam appeared genuinely puzzled.

  “Talking about braces and palate expanders.” Hey, if she could say it five times, she might as well go for ten.

  “Give us seven or eight years, and we’ll likely be discussing it with our child.”

  She flung her hands up in the air. “I don’t know how to do this.”

  “Exactly what ‘this’ are we talking about?”

  “I had all these thoughts of what motherhood would be like, but I concentrated on the fun parts, not the basics.” Panic bubbled up inside Charlotte. She thought of her parents. Hardly the role models to follow. “What if I don’t actually know how to be a good parent?”

  Even she could hear the shrillness in her voice. Her heart beat a quick rhythm, and she couldn’t quite seem to quell the alarm.

  Adam’s arm dropped around her shoulders, and he pulled her to him, planting a kiss against her temple.

  The sweet gesture had her expelling a shuddering breath. She let her head rest against his shoulder.

  “You’ll do fine,” he murmured in a soft, low tone. “We’ll do fine. Stan says you can’t plan for everything when it comes to parenting. But we’re two intelligent people who care about this little person we’ve made. Any time we’re faced with a major decision, we’ll gather all the facts, then make the best decision possible.”

  “You make it sound so easy.”

  “What did Fin tell you about baby steps?” Adam smiled. “You and I, we’ll learn as we go.”

  Why, Charlotte wondered, did she find such comfort in the word we? Weeks before, the thought of sharing her baby with anyone had struck fear in her heart. Now she found comfort knowing there would be someone to bounce ideas off of.

  But what if he wanted to do something she didn’t? What if he saw a course of action as reasonable that wasn’t reasonable to her? What if he dug in his heels? Memories of Jake insisting on the final say had her tensing.