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“Because you sliced your finger right after Isabel said my name. Doesn’t take a genius to realize you got spooked.”
“I wasn’t spooked.” He shot her a skeptical look and she rolled her eyes. “Fine, yes. I was a little surprised to see you, but that’s only because I figured you’d avoid me.”
“It’s my family tree trimming. No way I’m missing that, no matter who showed up.”
“Yes, but we haven’t talked since...my wedding. I didn’t want to stir up the past.”
“Honestly, Anna Beth, I feel like an idiot and you have every right to be angry with me. I shouldn’t have put you in that position. I’m sorry.”
She blinked at him rapidly. “Thank you. I know you were takin
g a risk and that’s not your nature. I’ve felt horrible for hurting you--”
“Don’t. You did nothing wrong.” He wrapped her finger with gauze. “I should have apologized a long time ago but, honestly, I didn’t think you’d want to hear from me.”
“Of course, I wanted to hear from you. You were the only person in Snowy Springs besides Olive who ever understood me. You don’t know how many times I almost called you. Especially when things got bad. One moment shouldn’t have completely derailed ten years of friendship.”
“I know.” Jared’s chest squeezed at the pain in her voice. “I’m sorry about Ian. He seemed like a good man.”
Anna Beth dashed her tears with her free hand. “He was. It’s been hard. He died just a few days after Christmas last year, but he’d been unresponsive weeks before that. I still miss him like crazy.”
Jared’s stomach constricted at her admission, although logically he knew she had every right to miss her husband. He secured the tape around her wound and stood, praying his face gave nothing away of his discomfort.
Then his eyes met hers and the sadness in her green depths tore into him. She opened up about the second most painful moment of her life, and he’d only thought of himself.
Yep, you’re an asshole. Now fix it.
He took her good hand and pulled her to her feet. Before he could consider Anna Beth’s reaction, he pulled her into a hug.
“I am very sorry.”
For several moments, she let him hold her, his hand traveling from her neck to the small of her back. Anna Beth relaxed against him, her arms going around his waist and she buried her face in his chest. It took him back and he lost himself for a moment. The sugary scent of Anna Beth’s body spray still reminded him of fresh baked sugar cookies. Her soft curves molding against his body.
Damn, but it felt good to hold her again.
The door squeaked open and Jared glanced up to find Casey leaning against the door frame, a smug expression on his face.
“What’s going on in here?”
Anna Beth pulled away, rubbing at her tear-soaked cheeks. “Nothing.” She cleared her throat, avoiding his gaze. “I better head back out there. I’ll ask your mom for an Ibuprofen.”
Before he could hand her the bottle from the first aid kit, she’d darted past Casey and disappeared down the hallway.
Casey’s looked after her, then back at Jared, all wide-eyed innocence.
“Something I said?”
Jared gritted his teeth. At this rate, the kid would be lucky if he made it to sixteen.
Eight
Anna Beth forgot how much the Jefferey’s liked to argue.
Loudly.
Each family member tried to talk over someone else, creating a chorus of voices. Anna Beth kept biting her lip to restrain her mirth, but she didn’t think she’d hidden her amusement from Jared. He sat across from her, his eyes twinkling whenever their gazes met.
It really took her back to when they were kids and she used to stay with the Jeffrey’s for dinner on Saturday nights while her aunt visited friends. Karen even sat her in the same chair she’d used as a kid between Savannah and Forest. Never the boisterous type, Jared used to carry on silent conversations with her throughout dinner. A smile here. An eye roll there. A silly face to make the other laugh.
