Page 73 of The Runaway Bride of Blossom Branch

“You told me hehadn’tbeen texting you. Now he has. Seems odd, doesn’t it?”

She hated the note of accusation in Harry’s question. And she hated being caught in the middle.

With numb fingers, she gripped the phone and tapped the message. It was a photo, a single, heartbreakingly beautiful image of Machu Picchu...the iconic ruins bathed in morning light. Beneath the picture that bore the unmistakable stamp of Jason’s artistry were four simple words.I hope you’re okay.

Cate’s mouth dried. She wanted to cry. She missed Jason, and because of what happened, she might never have the chance to be his friend again.

Harry stood and ran both hands through his hair. “Aren’t you going to answer him?”

Cate stood, also. “I don’t know,” she said honestly. “I’ll have to think about it. But I don’t think it’s any of your business.”

“That’s where you’d be wrong.”

She gasped and dropped her phone on the sofa as Harry pulled her against his hard chest and kissed her. His lips were warm and sweet. The kiss was hot and deep.

Cate felt her legs turn to spaghetti. Her heartbeat raced dizzyingly.

In an instant, she knew that the flash fire conjured by this kiss was dangerously close to flaring out of control. She didn’t want this to happen now. Not with the specter of Jason between them.

Though the kiss was everything she craved, she put two hands on Harry’s chest and shoved.

He released her immediately.

“Don’t apologize,” she said quickly. “I like kissing you, and I think you know that. But we both have a few things to figure out.”

Harry stuck out his chin and folded his arms across his chest. “Iknowwhat I want. You’re the one doodling two different names in the margin of your notebook paper.”

The careless, insolent remark cut deep. He knew she was sensitive about her ageandhis opinion of her, so he had struck where it would hurt the most.

“That’s not fair,” she whispered. All she had to do was admit that Jason had done the right thing in calling off the wedding. That would clear the air. But the lie of omission was the only thing keeping her out of Harry’s bed before she was ready.

Harry shook his head slowly, his gaze weary. “I’m going upstairs,” he said. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Nineteen

The atmosphere in the house Wednesday morning was excruciatingly polite. Again, they dodged each other at breakfast. It was beginning to be a habit.

She assumed she would have to confront Harry about not driving, but when he arrived downstairs, he was using one crutch and carrying a small overnight bag. Cate knew better than to offer her help. After a gruff greeting, he folded himself into the car without complaint.

Cate took a deep breath, tossed her own bag in the trunk, and joined him. Leaving Blossom Branch was easy. The morning rush—what there was of it—had ended. The steady stream of tourists wouldn’t get heavy until Friday midday. Once she made it to the interstate, she breathed an inward sigh of relief. The traffic wasn’t bad at all.

With the radio on, it was easy to pretend things were fine between her and Harry. The trip passed in silence other than the occasional comment. Her passenger focused all his attention on his phone.

For a man who was supposed to be on vacation, he waded through an awful lot of emails.

At last, they left the suburbs behind and reached the city proper. Once she had carefully parked in the garage at Harry’s building, she turned off the engine. “I forgot you can’t drive to your appointment. What time do you have to be there?”

He shrugged. “One. I’ll get a Lyft.”

“No. Let me take you.”

His eyes were opaque. “And what about getting your things at Jason’s?”

She swallowed. “We can go after.”

Neither of them had admitted that Harry wouldn’t be too much help. His badly bruised knee wouldn’t allow him to carry anything heavy.

“Okay,” he said. “That could work. I need to change clothes.”

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