Love and Secrets - Kit Morgan Page 0,41

have to deal with the pain of not letting herself fall in love with him. But was it too late? Had she loved him this whole time, despite the fact they were so young when they were together before? She’d mulled that question over (not for the first time) and already knew what the answer was.

Katie was right. She was chicken.

Her accuser wandered back to her side of the shop. Holly watched her a moment then got back to work. She wished Crystal was here. She was the only one who could relate to the waterfall of emotions crashing through her right now. Zane had only been back in town a little over a week and already her world was turned upside down. Was it easier to hide her head in the sand until he left? Yep. But should she?

“Oh, bother,” she said under her breath. Holly put the last set of earrings on the display then pulled out her appointment book. No clients. She let go a heavy sigh. “Katie?”

“Yeah?”

Holly grabbed her purse from under the counter and crossed the shop to Katie’s station. “I’m going to call it a day and go see Sophie and Zane. Think you can handle the shop by yourself?”

Katie looked at the clock on the wall. “Sure, we close up in a couple of hours anyway and I only have one more client.”

She smiled in relief. “Thanks.”

Katie winked. “Don’t forget to tell him how you really feel.”

Holly laughed. “Thanks again. But … what if he doesn’t feel the same?”

“Then at least you’ll know,” she said. “Better now than later, right?”

She nodded. “Yeah. Okay.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “Wish me luck.”

“I don’t think you’ll need it,” Katie said.

Holly wasn’t so sure as she gave her a parting smile and went out the door. Maybe it was her fear of being inadequate when it came to parenting that held her back. She had to admit, she’d never thought of dating a guy with a child. But then, she didn’t give much thought to dating anyway. Had she been hiding behind her fear all these years? Did it take Zane coming back to town to make the truth stand out? Or was it simply the fact she’d always loved him and didn’t want anyone else?

“Wow, I have to learn to become more self-aware,” she muttered as she got into her car.

She drove straight to the Brody’s. She’d have to apologize for not returning his phone calls or texts over the last few days. It was a childish thing to do, and he deserved better from her.

She parked the car, went up the front walk and knocked on the door. His mother answered. “Holly, what are you doing here?”

“I came to see Zane and Sophie.”

“What?”

Holly smiled as her brows shot up in confusion. “Are they not here?”

“Of course not. They left this morning.”

Her face fell. “What?”

“He left for the airport in Boise hours ago.”

Her jaw dropped.

“I thought you knew.”

Holly pulled out her phone and checked her texts. Zane’s just said “call me,” nothing more. She hadn’t. “Oh, boy.”

“You mean you didn’t know he was heading back to New York today?”

She shook her head. “No, but I do now.” She dropped her phone back in her purse. “When will he be back?”

Janet leaned against the door jamb. “He doesn’t know.”

Holly heaved a sigh. “Thank you.”

Zane’s mother stepped out of the way. “Come in. You look like you could use a cup of iced tea.”

Holly forced a smile. “I … should head home.”

“Oh no, you don’t. I think you should tell me what’s been going on between you and my son. He moped around here for days then poof! Decides to leave early.”

“That would be my fault.”

“The silent treatment never produces good results, dear.”

Holly eyes became downcast. “Nope. They sure don’t.” She looked at Janet. “Do you miss Sophie yet?”

“Before he even left.”

Holly smiled. “I miss the little munchkin too.”

“Come inside and tell me all about it.”

Before Holly knew it, the woman had an arm around her and was steering her through the door.

Holly sat at her kitchen table and stared out the window. She’d had a long talk with Zane’s mother about life, love, raising children, all the things her own mother never thought to talk about. Probably because Holly never asked and was never in any sort of serious relationship. Maybe that was one of the reasons her parents decided to move south, other than the weather. Holly was living her life and didn’t