“She wanted to know ifIknew you were unmarried and had a child.”
“She’s just an old busybody.”
“She’s an influential member of this town.And no dummy.You think you can keep your secret after she spends an hour or two with Billie and Adam?”
“I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.”She placed the forks at all four places, then went back to collect the knives.
Charlene stepped next to her and laid a restraining hand on her arm.“You can’t run forever.”
“I know.”Jane wanted to crawl away and hide, but she forced herself to look up at Charlene.
The older woman patted her gently.“He’ll hate you for keeping Billie from him.”
Her throat grew tight.“Yes,” she whispered.
“But hewilleventually understand.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Charlene hugged her close.Jane leaned into the embrace.The scent of gardenias, the womanly figure, the clinking of the bracelets brought her comfort with their familiarity.
“I am right,” the older woman said.“He’ll forgive you.What I’m worried about is whether or not you can forgive yourself.”
* * *
They had dessert on the front porch.The sounds of summer, birds, children playing, a soft breeze rustling through the leaves, lent themselves to another time when everything had been easier.If this had been the 1800s, her life would have been different, Jane thought taking a bite of blueberry pie.Back then, despite her concerns about Adam and their pending marriage, she wouldn’t have run.Society and circumstances would have forced her to stay and fight for her man.Now, with the vision of hindsight, the lack of opportunity sounded heavenly.If she couldn’t risk, she didn’t fail.But even as the simpler time tempted her, she acknowledged that the past nine years had made her a stronger person.However much she regretted the pain she’d caused and was still going to cause, she’d arrived in the present as a mature human being.A difficult price to pay, she thought as she glanced up and met Adam’s gaze.
He offered her a quick, sympathetic smile.He’d been nice ever since he’d seen her in the doorway, listening to Billie talk about her “missing” father.No doubt he had a few theories of his own as to why she’d bolted.At this moment he probably felt badly, maybe even let himself like her.All that would change as soon as she worked up the courage to tell him the truth.
“This is delightful,” Charlene said, picking up her last blueberry in her fingers and popping it into her mouth.“You always did magical things with a crust.”
“It’s my mother’s recipe.I’ll pass along the compliment.”
“Do that.And give her my best.I should probably call her before I leave for Greece.I’ve just been so busy what with my various—”
“Charlene—”
“Don’t say anything—”
Adam and Jane spoke together.His aunt drew herself up straighter in her wicker chair and frowned.“Why do you always assume I’m going to say something inappropriate?”
“Because you usually do,” Adam said wryly.
Billie looked up from her dessert.She’d perched herself on the steps leading up to the porch, while the adults sat around a glass and wicker table.“What’s inappropriate?”she asked.
“It means—” Jane paused.“Something that’s not appropriate.”
“Now that’s a clear definition,” Adam teased.
“You think you’re so clever, you try,” she shot back.
“Yes, Adam,” Charlene said, putting her plate on the table in front of her.“Go ahead.”
“Inappropriate means something that isn’t polite.”
Charlene shook her head.“I was going to be very polite.”She glared pointedly at Jane.“And appropriate.”
“All right.”Adam took another bite of pie and chewed thoughtfully.“Inappropriate.”
