Page 53 of No Love Lost

Heath almost rolled his eyes. “Addy, you’re a gorgeous woman. You’ve got an incredible daughter. You’re smart and successful. Everyone around here likes and admires you. I’m pretty sure Jonas isn’t the only one who would like to be more than friends.”

She shuddered and then leaned into him. “That’s a little creepy. I’ve never shown an interest in him or in anyone.”

Silence hung between them for a moment, then she leaned back to study him again. “Jonas has never even asked me out.”

“That doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to.”

She shook her head sharply. “He makes me uncomfortable, but I think that’s more because he’s intense and awkward. We’re not friends but he’s never done anything inappropriate. I’ve always felt a little guilty because I don’t feel comfortable with him. There’s never been a spark of interest from my side. Not for him or anyone else.”

Which shouldn’t have made Heath feel like he’d won a battle he hadn’t known he was fighting. But it did.

Addy tilted her head. “Until you popped up in that parking lot, I’ve had zero interest in dating or relationships. The thought of anyone who wasn’t you never appealed to me.”

Heath framed her face with his hands and smiled. “It’s always been you for me as well, Addy. No one else ever came close.”

Her eyes sparkled with joy, and then they dove into a kiss.

Addy was glad when morning finally arrived. She was unnerved by Heath’s thought that Jonas was the person causing all the problems she’d experienced. The man had always been a good neighbor. She considered him a friendly acquaintance.

Could he have sabotaged her home and her car? It didn’t seem likely. Although he did like to help her out. Was he a nice guy or was he suffering from a white knight complex and causing the problems in the first place? It made her stomach churn, and sleep had been difficult to find.

Heath’s warm arms had ensured she felt safe and loved, so she’d slept in snatches, but she was neither bright-eyed nor bushy-tailed this morning. Too many worries, too many nightmares.

She shut off her alarm before it rang, hoping Heath could manage a few more minutes of sleep. When they’d talked the previous night, Nina had decided she wanted to go to school, even though Addy had given her the option of staying home to process what was happening.

It didn’t surprise Addy when a large hand reached out to stop her when she attempted to slide out of bed. Heath didn’t miss much, even in sleep. He tugged, and she rolled back over and into him. “Morning.”

He kissed her forehead and squeezed her. “You should stay in bed and try to get some more sleep. I’ll take Nina to school.”

She kissed his chest. “I can’t sleep. My head’s too full.”

“Hopefully, we can get some more answers today. You want to shower first or check on Nina?”

“She would have texted or knocked if she needed us. Her alarm won’t go off for another twenty minutes.”

“We can have a really good shower in twenty minutes.”

After what turned out to be a most excellent shower, they dressed, and Addy knocked on Nina’s room.

Nina opened it seconds later. “I’m up.”

Addy reached out to run her hand down her daughter’s hair. “How’d you sleep?”

Nina shrugged. “Not bad. Jabba snores.”

Heath chuckled. “Maybe you do too.”

Nina put on her mock offended face. “I do not. Did you guys sleep okay?” Such an innocent question from a girl who’d told them it was okay for them to share a bed.

Addy knew she flushed a little, but she kept her gaze on her daughter’s. “Not great. My brain wouldn’t stop for very long.”

Nina nodded, then looked at Heath. “Are you guys going to try to figure out what’s happening today? Do you think it’s okay for me to go to school? I’d rather keep busy so I don’t think about someone being in our house.”

Addy hugged her. “I think it’s perfectly safe for you to go to school. Can we drive you, or do you want to take the bus?”

She was relieved when Nina accepted the ride. Several inches of snow had fallen during the night. As always, Vermont looked like a fairy tale. She’d incorporated the snowy landscapes into several of her books, and it always made her smile even as she bundled into the extra layers required.

After they dropped Nina off at school, Heath took Addy’s hand across the car’s console and smiled at her. “I like this. The whole driving her to school routine. Waking up as a family. I’m still so angry at my parents that I missed out on twelve years of this, but you’ve done an amazing job of being a mom. Our daughter is absolutely perfect.”

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