by Cindy Kirk
“Thank you.” Though her smile remained on her lips, Abby’s mind searched for something that would offer a quick retreat.
If she mentioned needing to relieve Jonah’s parents, that would only bring up questions. Rachel knew Abby didn’t leave her daughter with just anyone.
When nothing came immediately to mind, Abby took a seat. She would deflect until something came to her. Abby had always believed the best defense was a good offense. Which meant she had to set the direction of the conversation. Otherwise, she and Jonah would end up playing twenty questions.
She turned to Rachel. “Have you been to Fingel’s yet? I took Eva Grace today, and she had a ball.”
The flicker of Jonah’s eyelashes told her that he’d picked up on the fact that she didn’t want him mentioning they’d gone together. Not that Rachel wouldn’t find out. But there was something about Marc’s assessing gaze that had Abby not wanting him to know any more of her business than absolutely necessary.
“I wanted to go tonight but . . .” Rachel paused, then shrugged.
“You love the pumpkin patch.” Abby smiled, remembering Rachel talking about taking her brothers and sisters every year when they were small.
“A commercialized waste of money.” Marc gestured with an imperious gesture to a server, who took their wine order, then slipped away.
“I take it you’ve been there?” Jonah’s tone remained friendly, but there was a watchful look in his eyes.
Marc made a dismissive sound. “You don’t have to pay an exorbitant admission price to know it’s not worth the money.”
Rachel chewed on her lip and remained silent.
What had happened to her confident, feisty friend? Okay, so maybe Rachel had never been feisty. But she had been confident and had stood up for herself.
Something had happened since she’d hooked up with Marc. Abby wished she knew what it was, wished she knew what to do to counteract what he’d done and bring back her friend.
“Personally, I think it’s well worth the price.” Abby smiled her thanks as the server, a young woman dressed in traditional Irish attire, set two wine glasses on the table.
Before she could reach into her bag, Jonah handed her a twenty and told her to keep the change. A gesture that had Marc and Rachel exchanging glances.
“One entry fee gives you access to everything on the pumpkin patch grounds.” After making a mental note to pay Jonah back, Abby continued as if there had been no interruption. “You can even go on the big slide and the Pumpkin Wheel without paying extra. Eva Grace loved both.”
Surprise widened Rachel’s eyes. “You let her go on those alone?”
“Of course not.” Abby waved a hand, deciding to ignore the big slide and focus on the attraction she had gone on. “Considering my aversion to heights, I never thought I’d say this, but the Pumpkin Wheel was amazing.”
The tiny smile tugging at the corners of Jonah’s mouth disappeared when he lifted the glass of wine to his lips.
“You went on the Pumpkin Wheel?” Rachel repeated, disbelieving.
“Pumpkin Wheel? What is that?” Marc asked before Abby could assure her friend she had indeed gone on the ride. Not that she remembered all that much about it. She’d been too focused on covering Jonah’s mouth with hers.
“It’s like a giant Ferris wheel.” Rachel’s lips curved. “It’s painted orange and green and—”
“I get the picture.” Marc cut her off, obviously bored with the topic.
“What brings you to Goose Island tonight?” Abby asked, deciding she’d milked the topic of the pumpkin patch dry.
“It’s the one-year anniversary of our first date.” Rachel reached over and squeezed Marc’s hand. “We had dinner at Matilda’s, then came here for a drink.”
“Sounds like a special evening.” A sense of unease wrapped around Abby’s spine. Had the two really been together an entire year? She thought they hadn’t gotten together until Christmas.
“Marc had roses delivered to the food bank.” Rachel’s dark eyes shone as bright as her smile.
“It’s a special day.” Marc’s fingers curved around Rachel’s. “You deserve only the best.”
“Especially after spending most of the morning in Nell’s office.” Rachel lifted her glass of champagne and took a sip.
Abby stilled. “I hope nothing is wrong.”
Rachel waved a dismissive hand. “Just some estate stuff.”
“Your parents’ estate?” As far as Abby knew, there hadn’t been any recent deaths in Rachel’s family.
“Much of the money from my parents’ estate has been held in trust for each of the children. Each child has to reach the grand old age of thirty to access their portion.” Rachel smiled. “That milestone birthday is just around the corner for me.”
“I’ve been counseling Rachel on where to invest the money.” Marc’s tone could have melted butter. “I don’t know why she felt she had to consult an attorney.”
“Nell is also my friend,” Rachel reminded him.
Something told Abby it wasn’t the first time Rachel had reminded him of that fact. Which made her even more glad Nell was involved.
“Not to change the subject,” Jonah spoke for the first time since sitting down, “but Abby told me she wanted to spend a few minutes getting an update on my committee’s progress related to the birthday bash.”
Rachel shook her head. “I can’t believe that’s getting so close.”
“Neither can I.” Abby took a sip of wine.
She realized what Jonah was doing, and the plan was absolutely brilliant. Marc wouldn’t want Rachel discussing business on their romantic night out, which gave Abby and Jonah their excuse to move to a different table. Preferably one far away from Marc.
“We don’t want to ruin your evening with business talk.” Jonah pushed back his chair. “It looks like a table just opened up along the far wall.”
“I don’t mind talking about—” Rachel stopped when she saw the darkening cloud settle over Marc’s features. “Actually, Abby, I’ll get an update to you tomorrow. Will that be soon enough?”
“That’ll be fine.” Abby stood, glass of wine in hand, and gave Rachel a warm smile. “Enjoy your evening.”
Then, out of obligation, smiled at Marc. “Great to see you again.”
Once they were out of earshot, Jonah spoke in a low tone. “Great to see you again?”
“What was I supposed to say?” Abby whispered as they reached the just-cleared table. “Eat dirt and die?”
Jonah chuckled at the phrase straight out of their childhood. “It would have been appropriate.”
They settled into their new table, with Abby making a concerted effort not to glance in Rachel and Marc’s direction. When Jonah ordered an antipasto platter, even though she’d eaten earlier, she found herself popping a marinated olive into her mouth.
There was something relaxing about eating, Abby thought, taking a sip of wine. Then she remembered there was something she needed to discuss with him. The olive became a hard lump in the pit of her stomach.
“We need to talk.”
Jonah’s hand stilled on the pepper that had made its way halfway to his mouth. He set it down on the small plate in front of him, then carefully wiped his hand on the napkin. “Don’t tell me I was right.”
She blinked, nearly losing track of the words she’d been putting together in her head. “Right about what?”
“About you wanting an update on the security committee?” Though his tone remained light, his expression was serious. “I don’t have my notes, but I can give you an overview of the advances in the last few weeks. I can also assure you that we’re on target to have everything ready by the bash.”
Did he really think she wanted to discuss that now?
“I thought that was simply a story you made up to get us away from Rachel and Marc.” She smiled. “It was brilliant, by the way.”
“So what you want to say to me has nothing to do with the birthday bash.”
“No.” Abby met his gaze. “It has to do with Eva Grace.”
+
The second her daughter’s name left her lips, Abby realized she couldn’t do it. She’d almost decided it was best to tell Eva Grace that Jonah was her father and propose they come up with the best way to share the information. But now she worried she’d been rash in making that decision. His kisses seemed to have muddled her brain.
He was looking at her so expectantly, she knew she had to come up with something. If only she hadn’t shot down the committee report.
She gestured with her head in the direction of Marc and Rachel. “What does she see in him?”
Jonah’s brows drew together. “I suppose the flowers, the romantic evening, the charm he turns on and off at will. All surface stuff, but it’s easy to get caught up in.”
Abby inclined her head. “Is that what happened with you and Veronica?”
He shrugged.
“I’ve heard you’re doomed to make the same mistakes in future relationships if you don’t deal with past issues.”
Jonah leaned back and studied her.
Abby smiled in what she hoped was an encouraging manner.
“My problem was that I settled,” he said after what seemed forever. “The person I wanted seemed out of reach.”
That gaze, fixed so steadily on her, gave Abby a jolt. Surely, he couldn’t be talking about her?
Though she’d dated her share in high school and college, she’d never been in what she considered a serious relationship. Her only love, if there’d been one, had been her all-consuming ambition. “It just shows why settling is a bad idea.”
How inane. But with those piercing blue eyes studying her, it was the best she could muster.
“I won’t repeat that mistake.” His gaze never wavered. “What about Eva Grace?”
She couldn’t do it. Telling Eva Grace he was her birth father would mean letting him fully into her life. She’d already gone too far letting Eva Grace call his parents Nana and Papa.
What had she been thinking? If she’d been alone, she might have smacked herself up against the side of her head.
The only saving grace was that Eva Grace was unaware of the significance of those terms.
“Eva Grace,” Jonah prompted, his fingers twirling the wine glass back and forth between his finger and thumb.
Back and forth.
Back and forth.
The man was like a dog with a bone. She’d bought as much time as possible. He wasn’t going to let this go.
Abby thought quickly.
“It’s really more of a question.” Abby forced a little laugh. Jonah lifted a brow.
“Can you watch Eva Grace Saturday morning for me?”
Chapter Nineteen
“This was, as Eva Grace would say, an ‘awesome’ day.” Nancy looked at her son. “You have an amazing daughter.”
Jonah was still trying to figure out how to respond to that comment when his father spoke.
“I thought Mercy Watson was a girl, too, but Eva Grace set me straight.” Michael’s lips quirked upward. “She’s such a bright girl.”
“And so funny,” his mother added.
For the next minute, all Jonah had to do was nod his head as his parents extolled Eva Grace’s attributes.
“She doesn’t call you Daddy.” His father’s comment had Jonah jerking his head up.
When they’d gotten home from Abby’s apartment, no one had been ready to sleep. Jonah had suggested they relax on the rooftop, which was deserted on a Wednesday night. Though the night held a slight chill, a light jacket and the heat lamps were all they needed to be comfortable.
“I don’t deserve that title.” Saying the words brought a sharp pain in the vicinity of Jonah’s heart.
“Why, you most certainly—” his mother began, stopping when his father laid a hand on her arm.
“Have you and Abby spoken about that possibility?” The acceptance in his father’s voice encouraged confidences.
These people didn’t judge him. Not like Abby did. Not like he did.
Jonah took note of the stars winking overhead. There was something peaceful about sitting here in the near dark with his parents.
“She told me I hadn’t earned the title.” He shrugged. “She’s right.”
“But she’s letting you spend time with Eva Grace.” Confusion furrowed his mother’s brow. “It’s apparent how much the child likes you.”
“Abby had a near-miss accident out on the High Road several weeks back.” Jonah took a moment to explain what had happened that day.
“Oh my.” Nancy brought a hand to her mouth. “She could have been killed.”
Jonah nodded. “It got her to thinking what would happen to Eva Grace if she’d have died. Knowing I am her biological father made me the most likely possibility.”
“The only possibility.” His father’s blue eyes flashed. “If something happened to Abby, you would never allow your child to go to strangers.”
“They wouldn’t be strangers; they’d be friends of Abby’s.” When his father opened his mouth to protest, Jonah continued, “But no, I wouldn’t let her go to anyone else. Abby knows that.”
“Why is she refusing to tell Eva Grace who you are?” The hurt in his mother’s voice sliced a hole in Jonah’s gut.
By his choices, he’d brought this pain into his family’s life. “She doesn’t trust me.”
“That’s crazy.” Michael shook his head. “What is Abby thinking?”
“I don’t blame her. I don’t want you blaming her, either.” Jonah knew his parents were firmly on his side, but he wouldn’t have them dogging Abby.
“But—” his mother began.
“No.” Jonah spoke firmly so there would be no misunderstanding. “I walked away from her. She never wanted a child. She agreed to be a surrogate to help me, to help Veronica.”
“And for the fifty thousand dollars,” his father reminded him.
“The reason she even considered doing it was because of our friendship,” Jonah told them. “If you recall, she turned us—and the money—down at first. Until Veronica went to her and reminded her that having that amount of money would make getting a business loan a slam dunk.”
His mother’s hand shook as she reached for the cup of hot cocoa she’d brought up with her. “Abby didn’t plan on raising a child.”
“Thankfully, she’s done well for herself.” Michael’s tone had turned somber.
“Only because of inheriting the hotel.” Jonah expelled a harsh breath. He raked a hand through his hair. “But it’s been a struggle.”
Jonah told them what the last five years had been like for Abby. By the time he finished, tears filled his mother’s eyes and his father was clearing his throat.
Nancy bit her lower lip. “I can’t imagine her going through that alone.”
“It isn’t only Eva Grace who’s amazing.” Emotion thickened Jonah’s voice. “Abby is amazing.”
“I always hoped the two of you would end up together.”
Jonah turned to his mother, unable to hide his surprise. “You never said a word.”
“Who you kids dated was up to you.” His father glanced at his wife. “Who you married was up to you, not us.”
His parents had been cordial and welcoming to Veronica, done everything possible to make her feel a part of the family.
“You never liked Veronica.” The words spilled out. Why, Jonah wondered, had it taken him so long to realize the fact?
“I liked many things about Veronica. She had many good qualities,” his mother said diplomatically.
“But . . .” Jonah prompted.
Nancy hesitated, then admitted, “She wasn’t the most compassionate of women.”
Michael gave a snort. “There’s an understatement.”
“Your son was married to her,” Nancy reminded her husband, shooting him a warning glance.
“That’s okay.” Jonah sat back. “That ship has sailed. I see cl
early the mistakes we made. Not just Veronica, but me as well.”
“She was the one who didn’t want the baby,” his mother, loyal to the nth degree, pointed out.
Jonah remembered Abby’s words. He would not foist the blame for his actions on anyone else. “The baby Abby was carrying was mine. Yet she was the only one who stood up for the child. My child.”
He pounded a fist against his heart. “She was my child. Yet I would have supported a decision to terminate the pregnancy if Abby had been willing.”
His father’s attention appeared focused into the darkness while his mother’s gaze had dropped to the mug she cupped between her fingers.
“I don’t deserve to have that sweet child call me Daddy.” Jonah swallowed against the lump in this throat. “Abby was my oldest and dearest friend. She’s right. I left her hanging in the wind. I can’t even look at myself in the mirror. What kind of man—”
“Enough.” His father’s voice boomed as his hand crashed down on the table. Michael’s unflinching gaze met Jonah’s. “You are a good man. You tried to do the right thing.”
“But—”
“You let me finish.” The older man’s tone brooked no argument. “Hindsight, as we all know, is twenty-twenty. From what I understand, when the doctor spoke to you that day, the prognosis for the baby appeared grim.”
Jonah reluctantly nodded.
“There was genuine concern about the baby’s quality of life. That’s the issue Veronica raised. Am I correct?”
“Her cousin’s baby had died not even a year before of a severe birth defect. Veronica was in the room when he passed.” Jonah could still see her shattered face when she’d arrived home that night. “It devastated her.”
“The infertility treatments also took their toll.” His mother sighed heavily. “Then, when the adoption fell through . . .”
It had been a punch in the gut when the birth mother had backed out at the last minute. “She’d had a few baby showers, and the room was all decorated. It was a difficult time for both of us.”
“Then you found out just how expensive it was to hire a surrogate.” His mother spoke in a low, soothing tone.
He thought she probably had a purpose in taking him down this road again, but darned if he could figure it out.
