AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She'd been able to relax…but at the same time, being with him made the pressure mount, because it gave her space to feel that connection that had always been there with them. The same electricity that had zapped them together last time was even stronger.
She wanted to be with him. She felt this deep calling to open herself to him, to let him in, to settle deep into the warmth of his soul and body, and find that magic place that the two of them created when they were together.
And that scared the living daylights out of her. It was too much, too fast…right?
Except that she wasn't desperate for a man. For a relationship. She was happy, independent, and fulfilled in her life. So, it wasn't as if she was falling for him because she didn't want to be alone, or couldn't be alone. Which meant, her response to him was…real? Right? Trustworthy?
The Hart family party was tonight, and she wasn't sure she wanted to be a part of it. But at the same time, she did. What if she didn't like them, and then things would get complicated with Keegan, especially if Gabby wanted to claim them as her family…or if she didn't.
But even worse…what if she fell madly in love with his family? What if being at that party made her heart start to yearn for the family that she didn't have? What if she fell as hard for his family as she had for him? Then what? Move to Oregon? Give up her life? Risk everything because now she was vulnerable?
She'd made stupid choices before when she cared too much. She couldn’t be like that again.
"Welcome to my humble abode," Keegan said, interrupting her cascade into mental craziness.
"Holy crap," Gabby said. "That's incredible!"
Her daughter wasn't wrong. "I had no idea bachelors had this kind of taste," Sofia teased, trying to keep the tone light. But in truth? His house was gorgeous. If she could have designed a dream home, it would be the one that Keegan owned. It was a beautiful, rustic mansion that was somehow massive and homey at the same time. Rustic wood, huge glass windows, and a wrap-around porch. The yard was covered in icy snow, but it was expansive, with beautiful landscaping that was rustic and natural, and yet perfect. She could only imagine what it was like in the spring and summer.
He even had a covered gazebo on the south side of the property, beautiful white wood with incredible carpentry that made it look like an oasis. "Do you sit in the gazebo?"
He grinned, clearly hearing the deep longing and awe for a moment, even just one, out in the gazebo. "It's my favorite part of the house. I used to spend a lot of time out there watching the sunset before the bakery took off."
"I bet." Again with the bakery issue. His dream definitely had shadows. She understood that. Her dreams had become nightmares. "Maybe it's time to start watching sunsets again."
He slanted a look at her. "Sunset's in an hour. You up for it?"
She grinned. "Maybe."
"Oh, come on! You guys are going to go sit in the gazebo? What about the house?" Gabby leaned over the front seat as Keegan parked the truck. "I want a tour. Can we do that?"
"You bet."
"Sweet!" Gabby leapt out of the truck. "You really live here? Alone? It's crazy!"
Keegan chuckled. "Yep. You can pick any bedroom."
"Wait. Bedroom?" Sofia shook her head. "We need to get on the road after the party."
"What?" Gabby spun toward her, looking crushed. "But I want to stay. I want to meet their horses and see the barn."
"My Christmas party at the store is tomorrow evening. I need to get back." She was glad she had the party as an excuse, because Gabby was right. It was tempting to lose herself in this world…but that's what it would be: losing herself. She'd done that before: tempted by money, security, and heart-melting words.
It would almost be easier to trust herself if Keegan wasn't so attractive, rich, and charming, with a great sister. If he wasn't her daughter's biological father. All those factors were so damn amazing, so how could she trust that she just wanted him?
"Have Jocie run the party," Gabby said. "She's totally capable."
"She is," Sofia agreed, "But it's my store."
"Doesn't it get old to always be working at that store? If you married Keegan, you wouldn't have to run a store. You could just kick back and be waited on. Wouldn't that be awesome?"
But Sofia stiffened. "No. It wouldn't. Every woman should be financially independent. Otherwise, she can't make the choices she needs to make. Plus, I do it because it matters to me. I love the community I've nurtured at the store. They're our family, and I want to be there with them."
Gabby rolled her eyes. "You're such a nerd, Mom. They aren't family."
"Really? Because I'm pretty sure that all your babysitters came from there. And our Thanksgivings usually involve someone from the store. And Easter. And Dottie came to all your field hockey games. And—"
"Okay, okay." Gabby threw up her hands. "Fine. Whatever."
