Page 52 of Mine to Keep

“Sounds great.” She tucked his card into her pocket. “I really appreciate it.”

Jon tilted his head and looked her up and down. “You look familiar.”

“I was just on the news,” she said nervously. When she’d watched the program, she had been thankful that they’d barely shown her face. It was more Jamison than her and Zadie.

“No.” He shook his head. “I thought I’d seen you before when I saw the story about you and your baby.”

“I’ve been told I have that kind of face.”

He waved his hand wildly around his head. “The hair is different, but I swear, you look like…” He let his words trail off. “Now that I’m standing next to you, I must be mistaken.”

Her heart lurched to her throat and then did a nosedive to her gut. She smiled as best she could. “I’ve always had one of those faces that reminds people of someone else, so I’m sure it’s that.”

“I’m sure you’re right,” Jon said. “Congratulations on your little girl, and I look forward to talking with you soon.”

“Thank you. I do, as well.” She smoothed down the front of her sundress and headed toward the beach. She wondered if she’d ever stop worrying that someone would recognize her or put her with her late husband’s family.

One of the reasons she’d started an online business was that she could pack up and move if she needed to, and she had every intention of doing so in maybe a year or two.

Or less.

It all depended on money and how safe she felt.

Right now, between Jon the nosy reporter, and the random guy jumping out from her bushes, she wasn’t feeling very confident that she would be staying too long in Lighthouse Cove, and that made her sad.

She really liked it here so far.

Jamison sat in the sand about twenty feet away. He had his knees to his chest and his arms draped over his legs as he stared at the water crashing against the shoreline not too far from his feet. Hopefully, the tide was going out and not coming in; otherwise, he would be soaked shortly.

“Hey, you,” she said softly.

He turned his head and smiled. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”

Why did he have this uncanny ability to make her feel like a woman? She didn’t want to feel attractive. Hell, she’d just had a baby two weeks ago. She should feel like a puffy marshmallow.

He held out his hand and helped her to the sand. “Where’s Zadie?”

“I left her with Willa.”

“She’s in good hands, then.” He leaned back and stretched out his legs. “What brings you out here?”

“That’s one hell of a house, and the number of people was slightly overwhelming. I thought it would be nice to check out the water, and Willa saw you come out here.”

“I’m glad you joined me.”

She crossed her legs and studied his expression.

He always had a contemplative look unless she had him engaged in conversation. She couldn’t help but wonder if that was his natural state or a byproduct of the events of the last three years. “How are you holding up?” she asked.

“Honestly? I’m numb.”

“Why? Did something happen?”

He nodded. “I had a chat with Steve. It went well, and I have a better understanding of what happened.” He reached out and tucked some of her hair that was blowing in the breeze behind her ear. “But in some ways, it conflicts me more.”

“Why?”

“I’m not sure I even want to voice it. He made choices because of his family, and I can respect them. But all of a sudden, I feel abandoned by him, and I hate that feeling. I left his office thinking maybe we’d turned a corner, but then I thought about the affair and all the secrets and how it turned everyone’s life upside down, and I ended up angry all over again.”

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