Page 90 of Loving You

“Okay, but are we not going to Antonelli’s?”

A glance at her made me wonder if she was truly worried or simply puzzling things out.

Sure, she trusted me and showed me that in so many ways, but she’d had moments since the wedding—specifically, since that asshole had assaulted her—when she seemed jumpy. Part of it came from the natural fallout of an event like she’d experienced, and some of it came from concern that maybe Cliff wasn’t going to abide the restraining order.

But I’d never let anything bad happen to her again, and wouldn’t rest until every last one of her fears were laid to rest.

“I promise you’ll want to be where we’re going, and I know for a fact there won’t be anyone you don’t want to see there.” I didn’t want to say his name, but I did need to reassure her. I’d been in contact with the police, especially Patrick James, just to consistently confirm that Cliff was behaving.

April grinned. “Okay, that was quite an intense response, but I appreciate the thoroughness.”

“I’m always thorough, remember?” With a chuckle, I squeezed her leg lightly, resisting the urge to slide my fingers underneath the edge of her skirt.

Later.

We neared Walker’s, and she gave me a look. “Um, not that I don’t love those famous Walker tots, but isthiswhere we’re having dinner?”

I shot her a dry look.

“Okay, well, are you running into work?”

Passing the brewery, I pulled into the parking lot of the B&B. “Nope.”

“AmIrunning into work?”

“Nope.”

“Are we… having dinnerhere?”

After turning off the car, I took her hands in mine. “You’re not hangry, are you? Because if so, try to dig up a little patience. It’ll be worth it. I promise.”

Her expression changed, like she’d finally caught on that something major was happening. The air shifted, and when she spoke, her words came out a little breathless. “Um, no. I’ll be fine.”

Grinning, I leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips, forcing myself not to linger and take more.

We exited the car and approached the building. It really was a handsome one. Four floors with windows evenly placed in each room, so there was a pleasing symmetry to the white exterior with its light-blue trim.

A wide wooden porch wrapped from the front to one side, where they served brunch on the weekends when the weather was right. It was all pulled together with intricate landscaping and flowers that were consistently well-cared for decorating the bright, green lawn.

On this July evening, the Walker’s parking lot was bustling with cars coming and going, and music could be heard coming from the doors when someone entered or exited, but it was muted by the distance. The bed-and-breakfast seemed practically abandoned by comparison, but I knew better.

We mounted the steps, April’s fingers threaded with mine, and I knocked.

She eyed me. “Um, we can just walk—”

“Good evening, Mr. Walker. Ms. Carrigan.” May grinned as she opened the door, winking at me as April gave me a bewildered expression that rapidly dropped into something utterly shocked.

Inside, on every surface, were glowing candles. May led us through the foyer, past the mouth of the impressive grand staircase, and toward the doors leading to the reception area.

Our families stood in two lines, creating an aisle for us to pass through. The lights they strung up for use at events cast a romantic, familiar glow, and I worried April would see what our family members were blocking with their bodies.

But she’d slowed to take in the moment like it overwhelmed her, and thankfully, she didn’t seem to notice what our loved ones were strategically positioned to hide from her until the right moment.

I held out a hand and placed the other on her back. “This way, love.”

Kate was the first in line and handed April a pale-pink tulip—her favorite flower.

April took it, nerves making her words shake just a bit. “Thank you.”

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