Page 95 of Pity Parade

“Yes.” He leans down and kisses me again.

“We should go to the park and make sure everything is set up. We’re opening our tent at six so people can have a few hours to mingle before the fireworks start.”

Heath stands up and reaches his hand out to me. “Should we drive together?”

“Sure,” I tell him. “I’ve decided to move back to the cottage next door.”

With a wink, he says, “That’ll be handy.”

Once we’re in the car and driving into town, I can’t help but think how right this feels. Not only is Heath different from every other man I’ve dated—he’s more assured, more adventurous, and sexier—but I feel like I know more about him than I’ve known with other men. And in a very short time.

Even though Heath and I have only been on one official date, we’ve spent a lot of time together. I’ve learned about his past, and I know his fears. I also know about his dreams, which makes me feel like I can see inside his heart.

The magnitude of Heath’s mourning was intense, but that says a lot about how seriously he takes his commitments. It says a lot about how deeply he loves.

As soon as we get to the park, we run into Paige and Tim. Paige’s eyes widen at the sight of me and Heath together. Approaching us, she asks me, “You agreed to go out with him?”

“I did,” I tell her.

I’m not sure what I expect her reaction to be, but I’m surprised when she says, “Thank goodness for that.”

“Excuse me?”

“It was obvious to a blind person the two of you were meant to be together,” she says.

“Really?”

“Yes.” Then she turns her gaze to Heath and warns, “You’d better not treat her like you did the last time, or you’ll have to answer to me.”

“I won’t,” Heath promises. “I know how lucky I am that Trina is willing to give me another chance.”

Tim asks, “Is it safe to assume you’re both planning on moving to Elk Lake?”

Heath looks at me with anticipation, but I don’t answer. I want to hear what he says first. He finally announces, “I have no intentions of leaving for longer than it takes for me to move out of my condo.”

“You’re selling it?” That surprises me. “Don’t you want to keep it for when you have to be in the city?”

“I don’t have to be in the city,” he says. He reaches out to take my hand. “And I don’t want to be. I want to stay right here in Elk Lake with you.”

I’m filled with a sense of wellbeing the likes of which I haven’t felt in a very long time. “You better mean that,” I tell him. “Because I’m buying it hook, line, and sinker.”

“Oh, I mean it.” And, against all odds, I do believe him.

We run into Faith and Teddy next. They’re sitting by the fountain with their heads together. When Faith sees me, she waves. “I’d stand up for a hug but I’m too tired.”

“Did you go back to the doctor?” I ask worriedly.

She nods her head slowly as Teddy tells us, “There’s a reason she’s so tired.”

I feel Heath’s body go stiff and I know where his mind is going. He thinks something is wrong with the pregnancy.

“What did she say?” I ask nervously.

Faith smiles at us. “Twins. Apparently, due to hormone levels, twin pregnancies can really knock you out.”

“Twins?” I ask. “How did they miss that before?”

Teddy answers, “One of these little guys was hiding behind the other and their heartbeats were in sync. It’s more common than you think.”

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