Page 127 of Perfect Harmony

He took a deep shuddering breath. It wasthe first time he’d said it out loud and the pressure in his chest eased alittle.

“She’s a sweet girl,” Wanda said. “I’m notsurprised.”

“I love her, and she loves me, but I pushedher away because I was afraid of losing her,” Gideon said. “I’m a coward.”

“Hush, you’re not a coward.” Wanda squeezedhis hand again. “Made a dumb mistake and acted a little stupid, maybe, but thatdoesn’t make you a coward.”

She straightened and smiled at him. “Loveis always worth it, Gideon. Go fix your dumb mistake.”

* * *

“I’m sorry it’s so early.” Gideon sat downin the kitchen chair. Connor was making coffee and he handed a cup to Gideonbefore pouring one for Kira.

“It’s fine,” Kira said. “How’s Tank? Preachertold me to go home last night once it was almost eleven and you still weren’thome. He said he would keep an eye on him.”

“He’s good. Ate breakfast this morning. Preacherslept at my place last night and is keeping an eye on him again this morning.”

Kira sipped at her coffee as Connor sat inthe chair next to her. “Connor went to the bakery this morning to grab croissantsand heard about Murray passing away. I’m sorry, Gideon. How is Wanda doing?”

“Her sister is driving in from New Casseltoday, and she has some members of her church group staying with her.”

“Poor Wanda.” Kira reached for Connor’sgood hand, twining their fingers together.

“Do you know where Grace is?” Gideon said.“I went to Addie’s place this morning but either she’s not there or she’s not answeringthe door. I tried texting and calling her cell but she’s not answering. Shewouldn’t have gone to her parents’ place, would she?”

“God no,” Kira said.

“Is she here?”

“No,” Kira said. At Gideon’s look of skepticism,she rolled her eyes. “She’s not here, Gideon. I’m not hiding her upstairs.”

“Then where is she? I need to talk to her.”

“Is it to apologize for telling her it couldonly be sex between you two, and admit that you love her?”

Gideon’s face heated up. “Kira, that isn’t…I mean… Christ, I am not talking about my sex life with my baby sister. Ever.”

Kira rolled her eyes. “Are you planning ontelling her you love her or not, Gideon?”

“Yes,” he said.

“She’s in New York with Harper and Addie.She didn’t want to chance running into you and she’s probably blocked yournumber on her cell phone. I would if I was her.”

“Shit,” he said. “Okay, when is she back?”

“She’s back on -”

Kira squeezed Connor’s hand and spoke overtop of him. “We don’t know when she’s coming back. She said to me that shewas thinking of moving there.”

Confusion crossed Connor’s face. “What? Shecalled me at the clinic and said she would be -”

“Connor, honey,” Kira said loudly, “can yourun upstairs and grab my sweater for me. I’m a bit chilly.”

“Sure.” Connor left the kitchen as Gideonstood and paced back and forth.

“She’s seriously thinking of moving to NewYork?”

“Why wouldn’t she? Her friggin housebasically burned down, she’s had to throw away most of her stuff, and her parentsdon’t give a shit about her. Plus, the guy she’s been in love with forever saidhe only wanted her for sex. Why would she stay? There’s nothing keeping herhere.”

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