Page 36 of Second Chance with Seth

“She was. Laurel told me it was Mitch’s.”

“Jesus.”

“That’s not public knowledge,” she said, and I nodded my head, knowing she was asking me to keep it to myself. I had no intention of gossiping… especially as I knew I’d probably been the subject of many a rumor in my absence. There was no way I was going to mention that again, though. I’d learned that lesson already.

“Has anything else happened while I’ve been away?” I asked and although she glanced down at River, I didn’t think she was doing so to remind me of our daughter’s appearance in the world. It looked as though she was just checking on her… or I hoped she was. I didn’t need reminding…

“Did Nate tell you about Tanner and Cooper?” she asked.

“No. What about them?”

“They’re married now… although not to each other.”

I laughed, and she joined in. It felt good to laugh with Everly again, and we both stared at each other for a moment. It was enough of a moment to make me wonder if she felt the same… ifshe was enjoying being with me as much as I was enjoying being with her. I didn’t like to ask, though. Fear was still ruling my questions.

“Who did they marry?” I asked, sticking to safer ground.

“Tanner married Zara.”

“Who’s Zara?”

“She came here to work at the elementary school, although she didn’t stay there very long. I don’t know why that was. All I know is, she’s working with Tanner at the bookstore now.”

“How has Nash reacted to having a step-mom?”

“Really well, evidently. He was Tanner’s best man.”

“That’s sweet,” I said, smiling. “Did you go to the wedding?”

“Yeah. It was on Valentine’s Day, so River was less than two months old, but I took her along and stayed for a few hours.”

“What about Cooper? When did he get married?”

“Last weekend,” she said, surprising me. “I couldn’t make it, unfortunately.”

“Why not?”

“River wasn’t very well.”

I stopped walking and Everly copied me. “What was wrong with her? Is she okay now?” I could feel the fear rising inside me and Everly smiled, her hand resting on my arm, hoping to calm me, I think.

“She’s fine. It was only a cold… and not a bad one. Just enough to keep her awake at night.”

That reminded me… “You said you were awake all night,” I said, without referring to the reason for her wakefulness. “Are you okay?”

She nodded her head. “I’m used to being sleep deprived.”

We came out from the shade of the trees and onto the track behind the bar. I still couldn’t get used to it being called MD’s and not Dawson’s, but that didn’t seem important.

“Can I see you again?” I asked, reminding myself – and probably Everly – of our first meeting, when I’d had to leave town, and had asked a very similar question.

“Yes,” she replied, just like she had back then.

I was tempted to lean in and kiss her, but I could tell from the look in her eyes that she wasn’t ready… so I just nodded my head and thanked her, before seeing her to the back door of the coffee shop.

We said goodbye then, without making any formal arrangements. I knew we didn’t need to, but I wondered if she expected me to call, like I’d done all those years ago, and while I’ll admit it was tempting to relive the past, I had other ideas…

I returned here to the hotel and the first thing I did was to call Aiden.

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