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It was only after he'd peeled away the rest of the burlap, then loaded the roses into the back of a wagon that she remembered that even when they were together at the house, she wouldn't be offering him her kisses. Despite their sharing a common roof, they spent their nights in separate beds.
"Where are my readers?" Bonnie demanded as Justin tied down the plants.
"They're probably inside the store with the other supplies," he said. "You'll get them later."
"I want them now."
He jumped off the wagon and bent down to gather the .child up in his arms. She squealed as he tickled her. "When did you get to be so bossy?" he asked, his voice muffled as
he buried it in the curve of her neck. She shrieked with excited laughter, claiming his whiskers were itchy.
"Itchy?'' He held her high in the air. "I'll show you itchy. I'll bury you in an ant farm, little girl."
Bonnie wrinkled her nose. "I'll bury you in a bear farm. The big old bears will eat you for breakfast. Every day."
He tossed her high, then caught her. She threw back her head and laughed. "Again!"
"Again?" He grinned.' 'If I've been eaten by bears, who are you going to order around?"
"I won't let them eat all of you," she said.
"Just part?"
She nodded. "Again!"
He threw her up. Her shrieks of excitement made Megan smile. While the two played, she went inside the store and started sorting through the boxes. Andrew had already opened most of them and was checking the contents against what she'd ordered. The young man worked quickly and efficiently. He was good at his job.
Megan tried to concentrate, but again and again her gaze was drawn back to the play outside her window. The stage had moved on and most of the people were gone. The few that stayed also watched their sheriff and the child he'd taken in. They all nodded and smiled as Bonnie laughed. People on the other side of the street called out greetings. The scene was so different from the first few days Justin had been in town. It was hard to believe so much had changed.
He'd found a home in Landing. Why now? she wondered. Why had it taken seven years for everyone to see the truth about him? Had the passage of time made the difference in him or in everyone else?
"Here are Bonnie's readers," Andrew said, handing her several slim books.
"Thanks. She's going to be very excited to start them."
Andrew nodded, then continued emptying the last of the boxes and cataloging supplies. He'd worked for her since her father had died. Mrs. Dobson had told her he was courting a farmer's daughter. Soon, Andrew would be marrying and starting a family. She looked out the window at Justin and Bonnie. The child needed more attention than Megan could
give her, working in the store as much as she did. She'd already inquired into hiring someone to help at the house. Perhaps she should think about giving Andrew more responsibility and cutting back her time in the store.
Justin flung Bonnie high in the air and caught her. She laughed again and grabbed his hat from his head. Sunlight highlighted his dark hair. His good looks made her catch her breath.
She studied the lines of his face and body. How well did she know this man she'd married? She was his wife, yet not his wife. For the first time since the rushed wedding ceremony three weeks before, she acknowledged she wanted more. Having Justin and Bonnie in the big house with her made the old mansion feel like a home. But it wasn't enough. She wanted them to be the family Bonnie had requested; she wanted to be the wife Justin deserved.
Was that possible? Could they both let go of the past and begin again? She wasn't sure. Seven years ago, she thought she'd loved him, but she'd been wrong. She'd been afraid of what people would think, of what would happen to her if they knew about her and Justin. The fear had been bigger than the love. She'd hurt Justin horribly, said things that weren't true, things that would always be between them. He hadn't been able to forgive her yet. Would he ever?
Justin set Bonnie on the ground. The little girl clung to his leg and stared up at him, love and trust shining in her eyes. His hand swept over her head, brushing her bangs out of her eyes. She smiled.
Megan felt her heart squeeze tightly in her chest. She wanted Justin to look at her with that kind of affection. She wanted to convince him it was safe to care for her again. She wanted... Everything.
