Page 31 of In Name Only (Pine Falls 2)

“So did John come in and sweep you off your feet?”

She looked back at him for a moment and shook her head in a reminiscent sort of way before turning back toward me. “Not quite. I mean, I was taken with him. But I was smart enough to know that rich young men didn’t typically date waitresses who couldn’t even afford to attend community college. I was very cautious at first. And so nervous. My hand was shaking so bad the first time I served him a cup of coffee that I dropped the pot right in front of him. It shattered, and coffee went everywhere, including all over his suit pants and leather shoes. I was so embarrassed, but John just smiled and helped me clean it up.”

Who was this John she spoke of? It certainly wasn’t the man who threatened me. I sat there astonished as I listened to her recount the year they’d dated. How he had driven over five hundred miles to see her almost every weekend, even if it only meant he could sit in the diner while she worked and talk to her when she went on break. By all accounts, he was patient and tender. He’d taken her on picnics and taught her how to dance. It made me want to know him. I wondered what had happened to him in the past forty years to make him the calculating manipulator he was today.

While I was caught up in Sheridan’s story, Brock appeared before us.

Sheridan beamed up at him. “Can we help you?”

He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I was wondering if I could trade you places?”

Sheridan couldn’t smile any wider. “Of course you can sit by your bride.”

I really wished she wouldn’t call me that. And I kind of wished she would stay. I felt safe around Sheridan. I appreciated the way she had opened up to me. It helped me connect with her. And Brock probably only wanted to sit by me because his dad had told him he should.

Sheridan wrapped me in her arms before she relinquished her spot. “If you ever need anyone to talk to, I’m here for you. And don’t let Jill get to you.”

I leaned back, in shock. “How did you know—”

“Honey, I know her type. She doesn’t fool me, and don’t let her fool you.” She stood without another word.

In amazement, I watched her head toward John, who reached out and pulled his wife onto his lap. She snuggled into him, and he tenderly kissed her lips. I felt the love between them and was almost jealous, even if I hated John. The man was a walking dichotomy. Sheridan confused me too. How could she see through Jill but not her husband? I didn’t have time to dwell on it as Brock slid in next to me, looking a little apprehensive. Which put me on edge.

“I thought you needed to work.”

He brushed my hair back off my shoulder. “There are more important things.”

I wanted to believe his words but couldn’t. I leaned in as close as I could get to whisper in his ear, “Like pleasing your father.”

“That sounds disturbing,” he teased.

A small laugh escaped me. He hadn’t teased me in a long time.

My laugh made him smile.

My fingers gently played near the corners of his mouth. “I’ve missed your smile.”

He reached up and caught my hand. “I came over here because I was missing you.”

I bit my lip. “You were?”

“You find that hard to believe?” he whispered.

I nodded.

“Let me see what I can do about that.” He scooted closer and wrapped his arm around me.

I curled my feet under me and tucked into his side, my head landing on his chest. I savored the closeness and thrilled to hear his heart beat as erratically as mine was. I closed my eyes, feeling at home for the first time in a long time.

“Is this better?” he asked.

“Much better.”Chapter TenI sat in a lounge chair on the terrace outside my hotel bedroom, watching the early-morning runners jog along the path that followed the C&O Canal. They almost seemed out of place in this historic city. The old buildings and trees that could probably tell incredible stories made me feel as if I had been transported back in time two hundred years. The city was on the verge of fall—there was still plenty of greenery, but hints of red and orange played among the leaves. Though it wasn’t cold, the humidity made it feel damp and chilly. I wrapped the thick cotton hotel robe around me tighter. It was as luxurious as the accommodations.

I couldn’t sleep, even though the bed was probably the most comfortable bed I’d ever had the pleasure of lying on. Between the baby, who made me have to use the bathroom more and more every day, and how lonely the space felt with Brock sleeping on the couch in the living room, I had given up and come out here to read. I was grateful for technology, allowing me to conceal all my books about pregnancy on the reading app on my phone. Though I had a hard time concentrating. I thought, with how Brock had behaved on the flight last night, that he would have taken me up on the invitation to share the bed. I’d even offered to place pillows between us, if it made him feel better. He had only kissed my head and made up the couch.

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