Nodding slowly, he said, “Exactly.” Seeing Hannah’s expression still exhibiting confusion, he pushed further. “So, when she told me she was ten weeks pregnant, she did so because that’s when I had been with her. She was only about five weeks along. Hannah, I wasn’t the father.”
The air rushed audibly from her lungs. “Oh, my God! I can’t believe she lied! Why would she do that? I mean, obviously to trap you, but… how… oh, my God!”
His heart leaped at the sound of Hannah’s concern about Melissa’s duplicity. “She got pregnant, but the father didn’t want to be involved, so she figured I was an easy target. I guess she thought because I was a police officer I would do my duty and take care of everything.”
“Dylan, I am so, so sorry. I’m stunned, shocked, angry for you.” She shook her head and added, “But I’m so glad that you found out the truth.”
“Me, too. I told Melissa that I’d help her find resources for financial assistance, but she said that she was going to head back to her hometown and let her parents know what was happening. I haven’t heard from her since she left several days ago, and I don’t expect I will.”
They sat in silence for a moment, and he had no idea what Hannah’s thoughts were but wanted to offer her a chance to let the new information sink in.
A breeze blew through the trees nearby, sending the windchimes hanging from her porch into an erratic, tinkling rhythm. Crickets chirped in the background, and for the first time, he looked around. Her house was small but down a long lane, set apart. It gave her privacy, something he could understand considering he wanted to build his house on his land away from others.
Turning his attention back toward her, he said, “A lot has happened in the past couple of months, and I can’t begin to apologize enough for what happened to us. I wish I could turn back the hands of time and go back to our dinner at The Wharf before everything went to hell.”
A sad specter moved through her eyes, and her lips curved only the slightest bit at the edges. “I have no idea why things happened the way they did, Dylan, but I’ve spent the last couple of months realizing that perhaps I jumped in too quickly with you.”
He opened his mouth to protest, but she reached out and placed her hand on his arm, stilling his words.
“I had just moved into town. I didn’t know anyone and with the stress of a new job and position, it was exciting to start a new relationship. But I’ve spent the last couple of months focusing on me. My career. My staff. My department.” She waved her hand around and added, “My home.”
He swallowed deeply. While he knew it was a fantasy to think she’d jump into his arms at the news that the baby wasn’t his, he’d still held onto a now-crumbling hope. “Are you saying that I’ve missed my chance?” His heartbeat pounded so loud, he was sure she was able to hear it as well.
“I think… for now, we’re best as colleagues. We jumped into dating without even being friends first. Right now, Dylan, that’s all I can offer. I hate that Melissa’s lies hurt you, but her actions put the brakes on us, which might not have been a bad thing.”
The numbness that he’d grown used to over the past couple of months split open his chest, allowing pain to seep in. He wanted to argue. Prove her wrong. Demand that she give him a second chance. But as the evening sun dipped into the sky and the crickets continued their singing, he leaned back, allowing new thoughts to settle.
Hannah was right. While they hadn’t rushed into sex, they’d rushed into a relationship. From there, his life had gone into a tailspin with everything that happened with Melissa. His department leadership had suffered. His effectiveness as police chief had suffered. Plagued with self-doubt, he wondered what kind of man he was and what kind of man he wanted to be.
He looked up and saw her gaze pinned on him, concern pouring from her. He attempted a smile but knew the quirk fell short. “Okay, Hannah, I want you in my life, so I’ll take you however I can get you.”
With his hands planted on the arms of the rocker, he pushed himself to a stand, and she took to her feet also. He leaned over and kissed her forehead, memorizing the feel of her soft skin against his lips. His voice cracked as he stared at her beauty. “But please, have mercy. When we see each other, know it’s killing me, so please… have mercy.”
Tears pooled in her eyes and he turned away in haste, not wanting to see the expression on her face. Jogging to his vehicle, he climbed in and headed back to his cabin near the shore.
4
Present Day
Another wedding. How many does this make?
Hannah had lost count of the number of friends’ and colleagues’ weddings she had attended in the past several years. Not unusual for someone in their early thirties, and she certainly never begrudged any of her friends finding love. Weddings always seemed to make everyone so happy… at least others who were coupled together or singles excited to have a chance to dress up for a date that included good friends, food, and alcohol. But for true singles, weddings served as a stark reminder that others enjoyed what they hadn’t found yet. Or rather, maybe found but gave up.
As she turned onto the drive toward her destination, she sighed heavily. Stately trees lined the sides, long ago planted by the previous owners who wanted to showcase their home to perfection. Coming to the end of the lane, she spied the huge house in the distance. Cars and trucks now covered the drive and grassy area off to the side.
Guests alighted from their vehicles, laughing and talking as they walked toward the back of the property. Colt Hudson had inherited the stately two-story brick home from his grandparents. It had existed virtually empty with only the lonely bachelor living inside for years and now was filled with life and love. Today, Colt was marrying Carrie, gaining a son in the process.
Hannah sat for a few minutes after turning off the engine, trying to tamp down the multitude of emotions that clawed at her. Colt and Carrie deserved their happiness. Hell, they’d found their soulmate in each other. Hmph… soulmate. What the hell does that even mean? She shook her head in derision. God, when did I become such a cynic? She knew true love existed. It may have been fleeting, but she’d felt it before.
She looked down at her dress, smoothing her hands over the silky material, hoping it had not wrinkled too much in the short drive from her house. While some of the women were dressed in bright colors, Hannah had chosen pale blue silk. Glancing down at the front, she congratulated herself on finding a style of dress that was both feminine and modest. The square neckline only hinted at cleavage, but the back dipped much lower. High waisted, it flared over her hips, swaying slightly as she walked.
She had inherited her dark hair and blue eyes from her father and her curvy figure from her mother. Her father was tall and lanky. Her mother was shorter with an hourglass figure. Hannah preferred men to look at her eyes and not her boobs while conversing but hoped her appearance wasn’t dowdy next to her friends who were more gaily attired.
Shaking off those thoughts, she threw open her door and stood for a moment, once more running her hands over her skirt, twisting around to look toward the back to make sure the dress was not wrinkled. Having already sent a wedding gift, she had nothing to carry other than her purse, and she lifted the small strap over her shoulder. She walked toward the side of the house, wishing that someone else would come along so that she didn’t have to find a seat by herself.
“Hannah!”
The sound behind her halted her progress, and as she turned around, she smiled at the approaching couple. “Hello!”
“Your dress is gorgeous,” Lia MacFarlane gushed, offering a hug.
Seeing Lia’s protruding stomach, she shook her head. “You’ve gotten bigger since I saw you last! When are you due?”
“She pops in November,” her husband responded, a wide grin on his face. Aiden wrapped his arm around Lia. “Her and God knows how many more!”
She laughed at his reference to the number of their friends who were expecting babies.
“Come on, I
need to find a seat,” Lia said, and the trio walked toward the rows of chairs in the backyard.
Hannah continued to greet more friends and acquaintances, relieved the tension left her shoulders as she slid into an empty seat. Looking upward at the blue sky dotted with a few clouds, she had to admit the day was perfect. She also had to admit that no one deserved a perfect day more than Colt and Carrie.
The gathering quieted as the music began. Sitting at the end of a row, she had a perfect view of Carrie as she left the house and approached the makeshift aisle between the chairs set up in the backyard. Hannah’s smile was sincere, even if a small jolt of envy stabbed her heart. One day for me… maybe.
Carrie’s wedding dress was a simple design of silk and lace, hitting mid-calf in the front and trailing almost to the ground in the back. Walking down the aisle, she was accompanied on one side by her former neighbor and unofficial adopted father figure, George, and on the other side by her son, Jack. Hannah’s gaze continued to follow the trio down the aisle before she swung her head around to watch Colt as he waited for them to approach. The look on his face was one of awe and something so undefinable yet pure. The thought that one day she’d love to see a man look at her that way moved through her mind and a little sigh escaped.
As the minister began to speak, she glanced around at the others gathered. She hoped the criminals and miscreants on the Eastern Shore were quiet that day considering the large number of law enforcement that was present at the wedding. She recognized everyone from either their departments or as members of the American Legion.
Mitch and Tori Evans. Grant and Jillian Wilder. Gareth and Katelyn Harrison. Brogan and Ginny MacFarlane. Lance and Jade Greene. Zac and Maddie Hamilton. Hunter and Belle Simmons. Aiden and Lia MacFarlane. Callan and Sophia Ward. Jason and Rose Boswell. Scott and Lizzie. Couples. All couples. In fact, as she looked around, most of the single friends were there as part of families or with dates. It had never dawned on her to bring a date. And just who would I ask? Disguising a snort as a cough, she looked down. One person came instantly to mind, but they were colleagues… friends. Nothing more.
Carrie and Colt spoke their vows, drawing her attention back toward the front. Her lips curved slightly at the sight of big Colt holding Carrie’s smaller hands and Jack staring up at his mom and new dad, excitement radiating from him as he bounced slightly on his toes.
A tingling sensation slid over her, and she allowed her gaze to drift to the side, snagging on a pair of hazel-green eyes that were staring at her. Dylan. The man she’d just been thinking about. Blinking, she stared back and her breath caught in her throat as her attention zeroed in on the quirk of his lips turned upward in his familiar lopsided grin. As always, she smiled in return.
They had settled into an easy camaraderie over the past years but had never dated again. Both focused on their respective towns and the never-ending aspects of their demanding jobs. She knew his grandfather had become ill, and he often helped his brother with the family fishing boats. She occasionally saw him out with a woman and would have to tamp down the little ache that still settled deep inside.
Suddenly, the crowd was cheering, and she jerked her attention toward the front to see Colt and Carrie locked into a deep embrace. Looking to the side again, she could see Dylan’s focus was now back on the newly-married couple. Something else caught her attention.
He was alone.
The chairs had been moved to the side, now circling tables covered in white linens. Carrie worked as a waitress at The Diner, and the owners, Joe and Mavis, had provided the food. Dylan had made his way through the buffet line and was eyeing the desserts provided by women from the American Legion Auxiliary. The Auxiliary was comprised of family and friends of current and former military service members. Plus, since they were all friends, they loved getting together whenever possible, and a wedding was the perfect excuse to bring out the cakes and pies. Now, pushing back from the table, his gaze wandered over the group of friends, most coupled and on the dance floor.
Like so many times before, his gaze naturally wandered over a crowd, searching for Hannah. He might not be with her, but that didn’t keep him from wanting to know where she was… how she was. After their eyes had locked on each other during the ceremony and he’d felt her smile shoot straight to his heart, he’d only seen snatches of her. Chatting with friends. Leaning over the buffet table. Accepting a glass of champagne.
Pushing back from the table, he wandered around the edge of the dance floor, catching sight of her on the far side. Standing alone, she held a glass of champagne, her body barely swaying to the music, the silky blue material swinging gently around her thighs.
Four years. That was how long he’d known her. Four years. That was how long he’d been interested. They had settled into an awkward relationship after the Melissa debacle, only seeing each other in professional situations. When Mitch finally brought an American Legion chapter to Baytown, he’d finally got to see a little more of her since they were both involved with the meetings and the multitude of activities. Over time, a casual friendship formed. But more? She’d never indicated that she wanted more.
“Why don’t you go ask her to dance?”
He startled as he looked down to see Katelyn Harrison standing next to him, her assessing gaze pinned on him. Snorting, he quipped, “Who?”
She rolled her eyes, then grinned when her husband, Gareth, slid his arm about her waist. Looking over, she said, “I was just wondering why Dylan doesn’t go ask Hannah to dance. After all, he didn’t bring a date.”
Gareth laughed then turned toward Dylan. “You’ll have to forgive her. Katelyn’s turning into the area’s matchmaker.”
He shook his head, not sure that Katelyn wanted to take him on as matchmaking potential. No one knew that he and Hannah had ever dated. That was still a secret they both kept. For the past years, during the times they’d been in the same place at the same time, he’d cringed as their friends often laughed with the tales of his wild youth or his reputation for being a laid back, never-commit-to-one-woman man. While those stories were much more exaggerated than real, he knew Hannah had already experienced his past being shoved into her face. He had hoped they could begin anew, but they’d stayed firmly in the friend and colleague zone only. If nothing else other than for her self-preservation, he could hardly blame Hannah after what Melissa’s lies had put them through. “Why would she want to dance with me? Anyway, y’all are always the ones pushing my bad reputation out there.”
Katelyn protested. “You may have been a wild one when you were younger, but you’re certainly not like that now. I don’t think I’ve seen you with anyone in months.”
Not wanting to belabor the point, he joked, “Guess I needed a rest. It was exhausting to be so popular.” They laughed at his quip, and he flicked his wrist in a goodbye gesture, then walked around the perimeter of the gathering, feeling the need to keep his eyes on Hannah.
In the years he’d known her, he’d seen her in uniform, in jeans, in shorts, and even dressed up at some of their friends’ weddings. But right now, standing in the pale blue dress that showcased her figure while remaining modest, her dark hair clipped back from her face and flowing down her back and makeup that accentuated her eyes, he could not remember her being more beautiful. The invisible pull that had never ceased caused his feet to move of their own volition as he made his way closer to her.
He watched as she set her now-empty champagne flute on the table, her eyes holding a far-off expression. Sucking in a fortifying breath, he stepped directly in front of her. Her head tilted to the side and her chin jutted out slightly as her eyes held his, and his breath caught in his throat.
“Dance with me.” Before losing his nerve, he trailed his fingers along her arm, finally taking her hand, and led her over to where others were dancing, glad that she didn’t protest. She remained quiet, her body stiff, but he placed his hand on her waist while clutching the fingers of her other hand close to his chest. The electricit
y shot between them, burning as bright as always. Warmth moved throughout him, and as he slowly swayed her back and forth to the music, her body relaxed.
She glanced around from side to side before her gaze moved back to him. “No one else to dance with?”
“I’m dancing with the partner I want to have in my arms.”
The look on her face was one he couldn’t define, and he felt sure that his expression probably mirrored hers. Part pleasure mixed with uncertainty.
As the song continued, they moved around the dance floor, the slight pressure from his fingertips pulling her forward, erasing the space between them. The crowd seemed to fall away, and for a moment, they were the only two people under the blue sky and sunshine.
“I was surprised to see you here alone.”
Her voice was soft and melodious, drawing him in as it had since the first time he was introduced to her. That and her drop-dead gorgeous looks, which she seemed to be completely unaware of.
“Didn’t have anyone I cared about bringing.” He couldn’t take his eyes off hers until her tongue darted out to moisten her bottom lip, ensnaring his attention.
“Hmm, coming alone means you can scope out the single action.” Her lips now tipped upward, and he battled the desire to kiss her, having no doubt her taste would be as sweet as he remembered.
“You wound me, Hannah,” he protested, unable to keep from smiling.
“No, I just know you.”
“Yes… yes, you do.”
She sucked in her lips, her gaze never leaving his. “I’ll bet that you had a date for this wedding, and she had to cancel at the last minute.”
Shaking his head, he huffed with exasperation. “Nope. I’m telling you the truth. I’m tired of meaningless. I’m tired of pretending. I’m tired of wishing that you and I could become something more than what we are. I came alone because I had no one else I wanted to be with other than the person I’m dancing with right now.” His heart pounded as she smiled, her top teeth landing on her bottom lip.
Shielding You (Baytown Boys Book 13) Page 4
