The Widow's Protector

by Stephanie Newton

  The sounds of the neighborhood—birds and kids, car doors slamming as people came home from work—settled around them.

  “It wasn’t your fault that Jimmy died.” She should’ve said it before. Didn’t know why she hadn’t.

  He stared at the house across the street, another old Cape Cod, with shingles like his, except without the porch. His eyes narrowed in concentration. “I know.”

  “I never blamed you.”

  “I blamed myself. I promised him I would protect him.” His forehead wrinkled, and he looked away, to hide the sheen of tears in his eyes. “I did everything in my power to keep the promise. I know that now.”

  She nodded, taking his hand in hers. “I love you, Hunter.”

  He swallowed hard. “You love me like you love Cary Grant movies? Or you love me, love me? I have to know, Fee.”

  She stood and walked to the edge of the porch where she could see Sean, the jitters inside too much for her to sit still. “Love, love. Real love. The scary kind. The kind where you want to share everything with the other person, even the bad things.” She turned back to face him. “The kind where you’re the first person I think about in the morning and the last person I think about at night. God blessed us with another chance to get this right. I don’t want to mess it up.”

  “We’ve been friends a long time, Fiona.”

  She let out the breath she’d been holding. So that was it, then. He was going to play the friend card. She was sure the next words out of his mouth were going to be that he wanted to take a step back, go back to being just friends. She didn’t think she could take it.

  But how many people got a once-in-a-lifetime love twice?

  “You know what? You don’t have to say anything. It’s fine.” She took a step toward the edge of his porch.

  Hunter stepped into her path, stopped her. “You know, I heard that you were going to be looking for a new place. I think I found a house that might be perfect for you and Sean.”

  “You did what?” Her voice squeaked out and she ended up in a coughing fit.

  As she recovered, he put his arm around her and walked to the edge of the steps where they could both see Sean, who had found the basket of sidewalk chalk that Hunter kept for him. He was drawing stick-figured masterpieces down the long path.

  She took a deep breath. “So, what does this house look like?”

  “It’s an old house, but it’s been restored. I’m not gonna lie, it needs a woman’s touch. But it’s got a great front porch.”

  Tears gathered in her eyes. “It sounds a little like you’re asking me to move in with you.”

  He stuck his hands in his pockets and looked at Sean. “See, the thing is, I’m kind of old-fashioned.”

  Fiona looked away. When she looked back, Hunter was holding a ring, white gold, one square diamond in the middle with little ones around it. And the look on his face was tender, tentative. Still a bit unsure.

  She hitched in a breath. “It’s beautiful, Hunter.”

  “It was my grandmother’s. It’s old-fashioned, kind of like me. But it’s stood the test of time, kind of like our relationship. I don’t want to be with you just in the good times. I want to be with you when you wake up in the morning, or when Sean isn’t feeling well. I want to roll over in bed and feel you there beside me. I want it all, Fee.”

  He took her left hand in his. “All I need to know is if you want that, too.”

  She’d cried so many tears over the past couple years. Tears of grief and pain, tears of fear and sadness. But the tears that spilled down her cheeks now were tears of pure joy.

  He slid the ring onto her finger and pulled her close. His lips found hers. It was a kiss of discovery, gratitude, of freedom. Her heart thrilled at his caress and as he slid his fingers into her hair, she pressed closer.

  “Are you kissing?” Sean’s voice was disgusted.

  Fiona jumped, but Hunter just pulled her close into the curve of his arm.

  “Yeah, L.J.,” he drawled. “I’m gonna marry your mom. Is that okay with you?”

  Sean looked at Fiona, his blue eyes accusatory. “Are you gonna kiss him a lot?”

  “Yes, probably.” She hid her smile.

  Her six-year-old rolled his eyes. “Oh, man. Jordan B. said his mom and dad kissed a lot and he got a little sister.”

  This time, Fiona’s smothered laugh turned into a strangled cough. “I promise, if you’re going to have a little sister, you’ll be the first to know.”

  “Fine, I guess.” Sean still sounded kind of grossed out. He looked at Hunter. “Are you going to play with me and the Lego blocks? Do I get to live in your house? Am I gonna call you Dad?”

  Hunter counted off on his fingers one at a time. “Of course, probably…and you can think about it and call me whatever feels right to you.”

  “I have a loose tooth.” Sean squinted his blue eyes at Hunter. “Will the tooth fairy know where your house is?”

  Hunter crouched down and held Sean’s shoulders. “I’ll send her a change-of-address notice myself.”

  “Okay.” Sean spotted a cat hiding under the neighbor’s porch and took off at a run.

  “Are you sure about this?” Fiona asked.

  “I don’t even have to do a gut check. I’ve loved him since the day he was born.” He paused, standing to put his arms around her again. “There is one thing I’d like to know. Why did you come to my house that one night?”

  She snuggled into his arms and all he could think was how good it felt, how right. In his mind, he whispered a thank-you to God that they were here, in this moment, each one safe.

  “You know how you see something every day and you think you know it, but then all of a sudden, you see it with new eyes? Kind of like how you hate bread pudding and then someone makes you try it and then you love it?”

  He laughed and his chest felt light and free, without the weight of guilt and shame. He followed her down the sidewalk. “So I’m bread pudding?”

  She stopped in the middle of his path and pulled him close, his shirt held tight in a two-fisted grip. “You’re the best bread pudding I’ve ever had. I want you in my life every day. No doubts, no compromises.”

  “I just have one question.” He locked his fingers behind her waist and with his lips next to her ear, whispered, “Am I the kind of bread pudding with rich, delicious chocolate sauce?”

  The smile spread over her face in a delighted, playful grin. She tilted her face to his. “Oh, yeah. And I love chocolate sauce.”

  * * * * *

  Dear Reader,

  After a terrible loss, Fiona Fitzgerald Cobb has learned how to survive—with the help of her faith and family and her best friend, Hunter Reece. Hunter has his own way of dealing with grief, but when an arsonist targets their town, he’s left reeling again. As Hunter and Fiona work together to find a killer, they find an unexpected love and a faith that is stronger than ever.

  I hope you enjoyed Hunter and Fiona’s story and this return visit to Fitzgerald Bay. I’d love to hear from you! For more information about my books or to contact me, please visit www.stephanienewtonbooks.com. Be sure to look for Charles Fitzgerald’s story, The Black Sheep’s Redemption, in July!

  Many blessings,

  QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

  Fiona is more scared than most people would be at the smell of a fire. Why? Would you be?

  What are Fiona’s feelings for Hunter at the beginning of the book? How does she feel when he shows up at the fire scene to help her rescue Sean and Betsie?

  Hunter had a very real crush on Fiona as a teenager, but she married his best friend. How does that impact his feelings for Fiona now?

  Fiona survived a tragedy and has managed to build a life for herself and her son. What do you think helped her to do that?

  Hunter has very complicated feelings when it comes to Fiona’s former husband, Jimmy. Can you describe them?

  How do those feelings keep him from building a relationship with Fiona?

&nbs
p; How did what happened to Jimmy impact Fiona’s faith? What about Hunter’s?

  When Hunter is accused of being the arsonist, why is he so afraid?

  Fiona is shocked to find that her brother has accused Hunter of being the arsonist. What are the reasons they give?

  Fiona finds out that Hunter was in love with her at one time in their lives. It is a stunning revelation. How does it change her outlook?

  Fiona is very task oriented. What is the worst part for her when she is trapped in the cabin?

  How does she come to a place of peace, even in that circumstance?

  Hunter blamed himself for Jimmy’s death and, in a way, turned away from God because of it. How does he realize that he is not to blame?

  Fiona and Hunter have been through a tragedy and have survived some harrowing events. Through it all, there were several things that helped them to know what was really important in life. Faith and family. What are the really important things in your life?

  Is it hard to remember the important things when you are going through trying times? What are some ways to focus more on things that are really important?

  ISBN: 9781459226616

  Copyright © 2012 by Harlequin Books S.A.

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