Ten years ago, I’d thought losing him was the worst thing that could happen. His kids didn’t approve, so he chose them, and I’d been devastated. Absolutely crushed.
But God, I’d dodged a bullet.
Here he was, still worried about me, still trying to manage my life, and I was standing here with a man who couldn’t keep his hands off me, who looked at me like I hung the moon, who made me feel like the most desirable woman alive.
Stephen’s daughter had blessed us. We were about to be grandparents together. And Harold was leaving with his untouched coffee, probably wondering what the hell he’d given up.
I almost laughed.
The universe had a wicked sense of humor, and I was absolutely here for it.
“What?” Stephen asked, noticing my smile.
“Nothing,” I said, reaching up to kiss him. “Just realized I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
And I meant it.
Sometimes you had to lose what you thought you wanted to find what you actually needed.
And what I needed, what I’d always needed, even if I hadn’t known it, was standing right here beside me.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Popeye
The television flickered in the dim light of Trudy’s living room, some crime drama neither of us was really watching. She was curled against my side, her head resting on my shoulder, her body warm and soft against mine. My fingers traced lazy patterns up and down her arm, shoulder to elbow, elbow to wrist, then back again.
Today had been good. Better than good. Watching Trudy work the bakery this morning, seeing her smile at customers, the way she’d blushed when I couldn’t keep my hands off her. Christ, she was beautiful. And she was mine. Openly, undeniably mine.
Simon had teased us. Beatrice had winked. Even Harold showing up couldn’t dim the satisfaction I felt watching him realize what he’d lost. Trudy fit into my life like she’d always belonged there, and for the first time in longer than I could remember, everything felt right.
Grace had given us her blessing. Trudy’s granddaughter Pati smiled every time she saw us. The town had accepted us. Hell, they seemed genuinely happy for us.
I should’ve been content. Should’ve been able to sit here with Trudy in my arms and just enjoy this moment, this peace, this rightness.
But my mind kept drifting.
The journal was tucked into the saddlebag on my bike, parked in Trudy’s driveway where I’d left it this morning. I hadn’t opened it once today. Hadn’t even thought about it, really. Or at least, I’d tried not to think about it.
But now, in the quiet darkness with Trudy pressed against me and nothing but the television’s glow to distract me, it was all I could think about.
What else was in there? What other secrets had Christina buried in those pages? What other truths was I going to have to face?
“You’re distracted,” Trudy said softly, her voice cutting through my thoughts.
I blinked, realizing my fingers had stopped moving on her arm. “Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize.” She shifted, tilting her head to look up at me. “Just noticed you’ve been somewhere else all evening.”
I started tracing patterns on her arm again, buying myself time. “Just thinking.”
“About the journal?”
Of course she knew. Trudy always knew.
“No,” I said, which wasn’t entirely a lie. “Was thinking about you, actually.”
Her lips curved into a small smile, but her eyes stayed serious. “Stephen.”
