affirmation. Another positive sign.
She drove to the grocery store with a light heart. Excited. She would phone Leah tonight, once she got the financials from Zachary. That would help her make a final decision.
She hurried through the grocery store, excited to see Wyatt and the kids. Excited to tell him what she had planned.
It took her only a few moments to get what they needed. She knew her way around by now. But as she stopped to get bread, she shot a quick glance at the bakery section. Checking it out. The competition, she thought with a wry smile.
She felt a curious lift of her heart as she imagined the bakery she had just looked at. Imagined what she and Leah could do.
There was only one cashier open, so she got in line behind two other women. She checked her phone as another text message from Leah came through.
I'd like to come see for myself.
Adele grinned and replied. She slipped her phone into her pocket, smiling as the women ahead of her chatted with the cashier about the cold. Complained about the snow. The cashier was chatty and seemed to know them. Then the one turned to look back at the other.
And ice slipped through Adele's veins. Fear constricted her throat. She knew that face with its distinctively up-tilted blue eyes framed with long fake eyelashes. The prominent cheekbones.
Her hair was now gray streaked with blue instead of pink, but there was no mistaking this woman for anyone but Theresa. Wyatt's ex-wife.
"I want to head to Main Street after we're done here," Theresa said, flicking her hair back. "I want to stop at the bookstore and pick up something for the twins."
Maya and Maria. Theresa's daughters. And now the mother they had sobbed their little hearts out over was here. In Millar’s Crossing.
Adele's heart raced as she remembered Wyatt's comment about Theresa's e-mail. How she wanted to have a relationship with the girls.
She blinked, spots dancing in front of her eyes. She forced herself to breathe, to calm herself.
This wasn't happening. Was it?
"Good idea. Though are you ready to see Wyatt again?" the other woman asked.
Theresa frowned, gave a shrug, then glanced at her cell phone as it sent out a flurry of bells. "I should take this. I'll meet you outside."
The other woman nodded, pushing her groceries farther down the belt toward the cashier.
Adele watched Theresa walk away, her slim figure encased in snug blue jeans, a puffy down jacket. She looked exotic and beautiful.
"I can't believe Theresa is here," the cashier said to the woman in line, slowly scanning her items, not seeming to be in a rush. "I never thought she'd come back to Millar’s Crossing."
"Well, people change. She's changed," the woman answered. "I think she'd love to reconnect with Wyatt. I keep telling her she'll be sorry if she doesn't give it another try with him. Besides, she's got those adorable twins."
"I heard Wyatt was seeing someone else."
Adele clung to her grocery cart, looking down. Hoping that miss Chatty Cashier didn't recognize her.
"Well, I know Wyatt has always had a thing for Theresa, and I think kids need to be with their mom."
"I agree. I hope it all works out," the cashier said.
Adele swallowed, her throat dry. She looked down at the few groceries she had bought. The bread, milk, eggs, juice for the twins, a bag of their favorite chips. Some licorice for Dean.
Theresa was back. She wanted to reconnect with Wyatt. With the kids.
Unwelcome tears pooled in her eyes. Sorrow thickened her throat. She had to leave.
She spun around and strode away, ignoring the cashier calling out after her.
As she walked out she saw Theresa off to one side of the doorway, chatting on her cell phone, laughing.
The sound was like an arrow to her heart. Then Theresa looked up at her, frowning as Adele found she couldn't look away. She wasn't sure how she managed, but she lifted her head and walked over as Theresa lowered her cell phone. "Can I help you?" Theresa asked.
"You don't know me, but I feel I should tell you that Wyatt has a little boy in his house now. His name is Dean, and he's Wyatt's son." Her voice faltered as Theresa frowned, looking puzzled but interested. "I really hope...I want you...please take good care of him when you get back together with Wyatt. He's a good kid."
Then, before Theresa could say anything more, Adele scurried back to her car.
Her legs felt like rubber and she couldn't