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“What can I say?” she responded with a teasing grin. “You bring out the best in me.”
“For the love of God, will you stop that?” I smacked Rowan’s hand away from the jar of jam he was reaching for. He had already managed to pilfer two other jars from the table when I wasn’t looking and had devoured them both, eating ten dollars’ worth of potential profit.
If you had told me a few months back that I would be in a serious, committed relationship with Rowan Locklaine, I would have laughed in your face. If you’d have told me I would eventually be head over heels, crazy in love with the man, I would have suggested you get medical help.
But there I was, sitting at the farmer’s market in the town I’d grown up in, with him at my side, selling homemade preserves and breads to give Cassidy and Carson a break from work so they could spend time with their new son, Kallum, named after Cassidy’s Uncle Kal.
For the second time in less than six months, I was back in Texas, only this time, it was for a good reason. And my boyfriend had tagged along happily as opposed to chasing me down and winning me back. Things were going great. Each morning, I woke up wrapped in the arms of the man I loved, even happier than the day before. I had a new nephew that I got to spoil and cuddle for the next few weeks, and I was surrounded by a whole slew of people who loved me unconditionally.
I wasn’t sure if life could get any better.
“But it’s so good,” he groaned, licking up the last of the mulberry jam from the jar he stole. “Next time we visit, I’m bringing an empty suitcase with me so I can load it up with this shit. Swear to God, Navie, if you’d learn to make this stuff from Milly or Cassidy, I’d marry you and leave everything to you in my will.”
My heart fluttered at the thought of marrying this man at the same time I rolled my eyes in mock frustration. “If that’s your idea of a proposal, you’re going to be single for the rest of your life.”
Resting his elbows on the table in our booth, Rowan reached forward and toyed with the necklace hanging from the stand I’d set out. “You say nowhenI propose and I’m telling Pepper you’re sellingNavie’s Knickknacksfor half-price at some rinky-dink market in po-dunk Texas.”
That was yet another change that had taken place in the past months. When we returned to New York after my ‘temporary bout of insanity’, as he so lovingly referred to it, I didn’t go back to being Rowan’s personal assistant. That position was currently available after the third person Lauren hired quit due to a ‘hostile work environment’.
Rowan had taken it upon himself to show my jewelry to Pepper, and after threat of physical violence and possible death if I didn’t agree, I went into business with her, partnering up to sell my handmade creations in her shop. Business had been shockingly good, and I was finally making a career out of something I loved to do. And even though I wouldn’t say it out loud, for fear of overinflating his ego, I had Rowan to thank for it.
“You tell her I’m selling a few pieces here and I’ll tell Carson you so lovingly referred to his wife’s business as some rinky-dink market in po-dunk Texas.”
He paled slightly at my threat and I couldn’t help but laugh. Even though things were great between us, saying Carson waswarmingupto my boyfriend was a stretch. I didn’t think he’d ever stop threatening to shoot him.
“Oh, Henry, look,” an older woman exclaimed as she leaned in to look at my jewelry, pulling Rowan and I out of our millionth spat of the day. “Aren’t these just beautiful?”
“That they are, sweetheart,” an older man, who I assumed was Henry, replied as he came to stand next to the woman while she browsed the different bracelets and necklaces I had put out. My head tilted to the side as I watched the man with his wife. There was something so familiar about him, but I just couldn’t put my finger on it. An inch or two over six feet tall, salt-and-pepper hair, and a stomach that attested to the fact that he ate well but still tried to keep in shape the best he could at this age. Something in the back of my mind told me I should know this man, I just couldn’t figure out why.
“How much for this set, dear?” the woman asked, her gaze coming to me as her husband looked around the market, casually people-watching. “Dear?” the woman asked again, a hint of concern wrapped around that one word.
I felt Rowan’s hand press against the small of my back and gave my head a firm shake as he came to stand next to me. “I’m sorry, it’s uh… twenty-five for the set.”
As she rifled through her purse, I could only focus on the man beside her.
“And what a clever name,” she continued, pulling her wallet from her bag. “I’m assuming you’re theNaviefromNavie’s Knickknacks?”
“That’s me,” I replied with a smile at the woman just as the man’s head shot around in my direction. The instant our eyes connected, that wave of familiarity I felt when he walked up came rushing back, crashing into me with so much strength I lost my breath.
“My Lord,” the man spoke on an inhale as his own kind eyes grew wide.
“I know you,” I said in a hushed voice. “How do I know you?”
“Navie?” Rowan asked from my side. “You all right, baby?”
“I met you when you were just a little girl.” His voice was filled with a combination of sorrow and wonder. “I’m Off—”
“Officer Michaels,” I gasped as memories of that day bombarded me one after another.
“Not a day’s passed where I haven’t thought about that scared girl in that apartment,” he choked, emotion growing thick with each word. His wife’s hand flew to her mouth as tears began to stream down her face. He’d told her about me.
“You remember me?” I asked, feeling a lump forming in my throat.
“Of course. I could never forget. A little girl named Navie because of the color of her eyes …” He paused to clear his throat before being able to continue. I watched in awe as his wife’s hands came around his arm in silent support. “Did… everything work out for you? Do you have a good life?”
In the blink of an eye, I was around the table, both my hands wrapped around his. “I have agreatlife,” I replied vehemently. Because it was true. Even with all the hardships, all the pain and disappointment, I couldn’t look back with any regrets because it led me to where I was right then. I had love. I had family. I had everything a person could ever hope for.
Officer Michaels’ eyes closed tightly and I watched one lone tear slip free. When he opened them again and looked back at me, I saw that my answer had lifted a weight he’d been carrying for nearly twenty years. “Good. I’m so glad.” The relief that melted through him and his wife was almost tangible. “I can’t tell you how happy that makes me, sweetheart.”
