Page 39 of The Moment He Couldn’t Walk Away

“Sometimes when I’m in a room full of people, I need to leave and take a minute somewhere quiet.” He’d told no one this before.

“You panic?” Her fingers gripped his tighter.

“Yes.”

Their eyes caught and held. Then she placed her free hand on his chest, rose to her toes, and kissed him softly. Their lips clung together for long seconds, and then she eased back, and he let her hand go. Not because he wanted to, but because he needed to.

“You’re safe, Finch. Only good people who care about you are in Circle Left today. Remember that, okay?”

“I know that it’s not rational. I’m better—way better, but it creeps up on me sometimes when I’m not expecting it.”

“I’m glad you’re better, but you need to give yourself time to heal, Finch.”

He wanted to lean in again and kiss those soft glossy pink lips because then he’d forget the hell that was his life, but today wasn’t about him. It was about her.

“Congratulations on buying this place.” His words sounded like a rusty door hinge. “I’m glad it’s a local.”

“Me too.”

“You’ll be great here. You like people.” He didn’t want her to leave him yet.

“Thanks. Now we need to go down there, otherwise they’ll come looking for us.”

“Okay, and you’ve got this, Nina. Now you lead, and I’ll follow.”

He doubted anyone would come looking for him, but he walked behind her down the stairs, and as he moved, he felt it again. Another dislodged piece slotting back into place inside him.

Chapter 12

Nina felt a hand settle on her spine briefly before she pushed open the door to the room where everyone waited. Finch’s hand. The man who wanted no one and nothing but solitude was there for her. Why that thought above all the others rolling around inside her head got to her, she had no idea.

She’d felt the tension in Finch when she found him upstairs. The look in his eyes was haunted, and it made her feel even sadder than she already was today. She wanted to put her arms around his big shoulders and hug him close, not letting go until he was calmer. Instead, she’d kissed him, which wasn’t her wisest move, as now she knew what his lips tasted like.

“Thank you,” she said, looking over her shoulder as he lowered his hand.

He gave her a small nod, and then Nina walked into the room that held both hers and her mother’s friends. Not family, because she had none of that left—well, other than a worthless criminal for a father and maybe some other relatives that belonged to him.

Not now, Nina. Don’t think about him now.

In the four days since her mother’s death, she’d kept herself busy. Nina had approached Nancy and Hank with an offer, which they’d accepted, and they were happy that Circle Left would now belong to her.

Taking a lot of cash into a bank, but not just any bank, one where the teller had come to your house for playdates as a kid, wasn’t easy. There were questions to be answered, but Nina had worked through them, and the end result was that she owned Circle Left.

For now, things were staying as they were. Hank and Nancy were happy to remain until Nina had planned what she wanted to do, which was a relief.

The sheriff and Dan had advised her to tell people she trusted with the story of her past. There was nothing to be ashamed of, and it didn’t need to be a secret, as she’d done nothing wrong. That was all on him, her father. But they’d cautioned her not to tell anyone his name, or what hers had been when she’d been born.

Would her father come looking for her?

“We’re all ready now, Nina.”

“Thanks, Hank.” Nina focused on what she needed to do now, today, everything else could wait.

The room was warm and filled with love. Mulled wine and coffee mixed to create a scent that was almost soothing—almost, but not quite. That would come after today. She’d find a way to soothe the hurt inside her, but not yet. Today was for her mother, and Nina owed her the grief she was feeling.

These people were her friends, she thought, looking at the faces around her. People who were here because they loved her or her mother. Today is for you, Mom.

That hand skimmed her spine again, and then she watched Finch walk around her and go to his family, who were standing with the Dukes.