The Engagement Arrangement (Boots and Bouquets #2) - Jaci Burton Page 0,98
he needed his space as much as she needed hers.
But where was he, anyway?
He hadn’t shown up to the house for meals, which she could understand given how awkward that would have been, facing each other at the table. But still, where the hell was he?
And why was Murphy staying at the house? Shouldn’t he be at Finn’s? For the past few days the dog had been at the house—her constant companion—following her around like he was a little lost, not knowing what to do without Finn. Very odd. Though she found Murphy’s presence comforting.
She knew exactly how Murphy felt. She’d asked her dad why the dog was here and his only response was to say they were dog sitting, making her wonder what was going on.
Not that it was any of her business, she decided as she finished up her paperwork for the day. She put everything away and wandered into her mother’s office.
“What’s up?” she asked her mom.
“Nothing much. Just working on these balance sheets. What’s up with you?”
“Oh, nothing.” She leaned against the doorway. “I noticed Murphy has been staying here.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Her mom studied her laptop.
“Any reason why?”
“Why what?”
“Why is Murphy here, Mom?”
“Oh. We’re watching him for Finn.”
“I see.” She studied her nails. “And why is that?”
Nothing. Her mother ignored her. Damn.
“Mom.”
Her mother tore her gaze from her laptop. “What?”
“Why are we watching Murphy?”
“Because Finn isn’t here.”
“Obviously.” It was like pulling teeth. “Where is he?”
“He took a vacation, Brenna. And if you hadn’t broken up with him you’d be aware of that.”
Ouch. Straight to the heart, Mom.
“You didn’t even ask me if Finn had done something terrible to me. If he’d broken my heart or cheated on me.”
Her mother’s response was to cock her head to the side and give her a look that told her she was being ridiculous.
“Really, Brenna? It’s like you think I don’t know Finn as well as I know my own three daughters. Did he break your heart or cheat on you?”
Now she was backed into a corner. “Well, no.”
“Do you want to talk to me about what happened? Because I don’t recall you coming to me wanting a heart-to-heart talk about breaking up with the man you love.”
She lifted her chin. “I don’t recall saying I loved him.”
Her mother slanted a look her way. “You were just playing with the boy this whole time.”
“I didn’t say that, either.”
“Then what are you saying?”
Defeated, she walked in and flopped into the chair. “That I’m a disaster and I made a mess out of my relationship with Finn.”
“He wasn’t too happy about it, either, when he came to your father and me. Asked us for some time off to travel and clear his head. Do you know he’s never once taken a vacation, despite your da and I asking him to?”
She sighed, feeling guiltier by the second. “I was not aware of that.”
“He asked for three weeks, Brenna.”
Her heart sank. “Three weeks?”
Her mother nodded.
Three weeks was a very long time. He could be anywhere. With anyone. Doing anything. Was he with someone else? No, he wasn’t. That wasn’t Finn.
“Do you know where he went?”
“Aye, I do. But I’m not sure I should tell you. You gave up that right when you broke up with him.”
Her stomach hurt. Her heart hurt. And the realization hit that she couldn’t hide from her feelings any longer.
Tears pricked her eyes and she couldn’t hold them back. “I love him, Mom. I haven’t even admitted that to myself until right now. And I miss him so much it feels like my heart is breaking in two. I need to find him and make this right, if I can.”
Her mother nodded. “Now you’re starting to make some sense.”
She wound her hands together. “So you’ll tell me where he is?”
“Yes. All right, go get your man back, Brenna. You’ll have to swallow your pride.”
She could do that. She’d do anything to have Finn back in her life. In any way he wanted her.
If he wanted her back.
CHAPTER
• • • • • •
thirty-one
FINN INHALED AND let the sharp sea breeze blow over him, bringing him the calm he’d needed so badly. He stood at the edge of the cliff for the longest time, then walked back to the cottage.
He’d been lucky to find this place situated on the cliffs with an incredible view of the water. It was isolated, which was just what he’d needed so he could take the time to be by himself, to reflect and figure out his next