LITMIR.BIZ

      Lily drove slowly through the old part of town on the bluff above the waterfront, listening to her son’s chatter as she headed to the family home on Cedar Street where they had been staying with Pauline.

      “Cory’s got an Xbox,” Jordan exclaimed. He’d hardly taken a breath since Lily had picked him up at the house of one of his new friends. “We played his new skateboarding game.”

      Their move to Crescent Cove had been dicey at first because he’d been homesick for L.A. and he was still grieving for their longtime friend and Lily’s guardian angel, Francis Yost. After growing up on Francis’s spacious estate, Jordan had made it clear to Lily that he wanted nothing to do with Crescent Cove.

      Lucky for her, Pauline’s fiancé had stepped in to help, spending time with Jordan until he met a few boys his own age. Wade’s friendship with Lily had initially given Pauline the wrong impression when she’d walked in on him with Lily in his arms, comforting her after an argument with her son. Fortunately that had been resolved and they had all moved on.

      “So you had a good time?” she asked Jordan now. “You remembered to thank Cory’s mother for putting up with you?”

      He lifted his ball cap to run one hand through his thick blond hair. It needed a trim, she noted silently.

      “Aw, Mom,” he drawled on a long-suffering sigh, “I always remember that stuff. You’ve drilled it into me since I was born.” He repositioned the cap and tugged down the bill. “I bet you even used to tell me when I was growing in your belly.”

      She turned onto Cedar, a narrow, tree-lined street of historical Victorian homes in various stages of disrepair. “It’s my mission in life to tame you and turn you into a cultured individual,” she teased.

      Instead of making a comeback, he turned to look at her intently. “Is it true that my real dad lives around here?” he asked. “And that I look just like him?”

      The question shouldn’t have come as so much of a surprise. Did she think kids didn’t overhear things?

      “Where did you hear that?” she asked, shamelessly stalling for time as she turned into their driveway and drove past the house that had been named Mayfield Manor by one of her ancestors. Braking in front of the detached garage, she was startled to see that her hand was shaking when she reached for the gearshift.

      She glanced at Jordan to see if he had noticed.

      “Ryan MacPherson was teasing me when he came over to Cory’s, but then Cory’s mom sent him home.”

      “Good for Michelle,” Lily replied fervently. Back in the day, Lily had been chosen over Ryan’s mother for the lead in a high school play. The former Heather Rolfe had probably never forgiven Lily. It sounded as though Heather was still a witch.

      Lily’s first impulse was to go over and confront the other mother for gossiping in front of Ryan, but she couldn’t very well blame Heather for saying aloud what half the town was at least thinking.

      “Is it true?” Jordan persisted. “Does my dad live here in this stupid town?”

      Lily was saved from answering by the sight of Wade approaching her car.

      “We’ll have to talk later,” she told Jordan as Wade leaned down and grinned at them through the open passenger window.

      “Okay with you if I kidnap your kid for a couple of hours?” he asked Lily. “Hey, sport! Want to go shoot some hoops?”

      Lord, yes, she thought gratefully. “He’s got to eat first,” she replied.

      “I ate at Cory’s.” Jordan got out of the car and returned Wade’s high five. “Can I go? Please, Mom?”

      Obviously he didn’t mind postponing the subject of his paternity. Silently, Lily vowed to deal with it soon, just as soon as she figured out how much to tell him before she went and talked to Steve.

      What a mess.

      She emerged behind the wheel, realizing that both males were still waiting for her to say something. “Sure, you can go. Take some water with you and don’t forget to actually drink it.”

      Wade rested a paternal hand on Jordan’s bony shoulder, winking at her over the boy’s head. “I’ll take good care of him, ma’am.”

      “I know you will,” she replied, returning his smile. “Thanks.”

      “I gotta change shoes,” Jordan said. “Be right back.”

      “Is everything okay?” Wade asked Lily as soon as her son was out of earshot. “Did I interrupt something?”

      Next to her sister, Wade was probably the last person Lily dared confide in. Regretfully, she shook her head. “Nothing that won’t wait, and it’s good for him to spend time with you.”

      “Makes a nice break for me, too,” Wade replied as he followed her through the gate in the picket fence enclosing Pauline’s backyard.

      “A respite from wedding plans?” Lily teased over her shoulder. Even a perfect male—Pauline’s assessment of her fiancé—would have a breaking point when it came to deciding the myriad details necessary for even a simple wedding: guests, invitations, clothing, music, food. The list went on.

      He flashed his heart-stopping grin. “Please, please don’t tell Pauline. She’s already having so much fun with this.”

      “I won’t breathe a word,” Lily promised, crossing her heart solemnly before she went up the back steps. Before she could open the screen door that Jordan had let slam behind him, Wade reached up and touched her arm.

      “Lily, wait a second.”

      She figured that he must need help with something to do with the nuptials, but his expression was one of concern.

      “I wanted you to know that I’ve asked Steve to be my best man,” he said quietly. “Given the history between you two, I hope it’s not going to be a problem for you, but he’s become a good friend since I came here.”

      Everyone knew that Steve had been her steady boyfriend for two years before she had suddenly left town. Wade was aware that she hadn’t told Steve her plans or spoken to him since.

      Deliberately, she plastered on a wide smile. “I’m fine with it,” she exclaimed, seeing his shoulders slump in relief. “He and I are ancient history.”

      She was surprised when Wade’s frown didn’t lessen. “Have you talked to him yet?” he probed.

      She lifted her brows, feigning ignorance. “About what?”

      Wade’s glance flicked toward the house and then back to her face. “I know it’s none of my business—” he began.

      “But I appreciate your concern,” Lily cut in as she opened the screen door. She didn’t want Jordan to overhear them. “I’m parched,” she continued. “Want some lemonade?”

      Wade reached for a sports bag hanging on a hook in the laundry room. “No, thanks, but if you want to talk…” His voice trailed off when Jordan pounded down the staircase.

      The knot in Lily’s stomach tightened when he appeared in the kitchen seconds later wearing his old Lakers tank top and baggy shorts. More than anything, she wanted to protect him from ever being hurt or disappointed, even though she knew it was an unrealistic goal.

      “Hey, buddy, grab me one, too,” Wade said as Jordan opened the door to the refrigerator and removed a bottled water.

      Tucking his basketball under his arm, he complied. “See ya, Mom,” he said as he walked past Lily.

      She was stunned to realize how much he’d shot up in the past few months. Before she knew it, he would be all grown-up. Without a shred of remorse, she refused to think of the years his father had already missed.

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