Country Romance - Carolyne Aarsen Page 0,75

which made him wonder if Theresa was the problem or if she was having second thoughts.

He couldn't go there. Not now. He had prayed all the way here, and he had to believe that somehow, once they talked...

He had to believe that what had happened between them was real. Had to believe that he could trust his own emotions in this.

The coffee shop held only a few people this time of day, and he found a spot tucked in the back.

"What do you want?" he asked as Adele settled in at the table.

She still wasn't looking at him, which concerned him deeply. But she was here, so that was a plus.

"Just coffee. Black."

"She's got lattes and all kinds of other stuff," Wyatt offered. "Cookies? Banana bread?"

Adele shook her head but then gave him a gentle smile, easing the tension that had been holding his shoulders since he left the ranch. "Just coffee, please. Black."

He made quick work of his order. Janie, the owner of the coffee shop, asked about the girls, and he gave a non-committal reply. He could see that she was curious about Adele, but he didn't give her any more information than he had to.

He brought the coffees back and sat. But now that he and Adele were alone, his mind went blank. He took a few sips of his coffee, trying to think of what to say.

"You said Theresa isn't around?" Adele finally asked, breaking the tense silence between them.

"Yes. Apparently she and her friend Laura, the woman she was with, are moving to Australia." Wyatt latched onto her question, relieved that she was willing to talk about what happened. "She came to Millar’s Crossing to say good-bye, though she didn't want to see the girls."

"That's strange."

"That's Theresa. Strange is her middle name. Along with unfaithful and uncommitted." He couldn't stop the bitter tone that crept into his voice. "I still can't believe she didn't even want to see her own daughters."

"I understand, but maybe it's for the better. Seeing her would just confuse and hurt them." Adele's quiet comment eased his anger.

"You're right. As always." He smiled over at her, frustrated with the awkwardness that had risen between them. This wasn't how he had envisioned this meeting going. Their eyes held, and he wished he could find the right words to express himself.

Could use a little help here, Lord, he prayed.

Then she smiled again, and he took a chance, reaching across the table to catch her hand. Her fingers twined around his and the awkwardness slipped away.

"I'm sorry that you thought Theresa was coming back. That you had to go through that. You need to know I feel nothing for her. That she doesn't matter to me."

"Don't apologize for something you had no control over. I just..." She paused, looking down at their entwined hands, her fingers stroking his. Then she looked up at him, her eyes bright. "I just didn't want to get in the way. If you were reuniting with her. For the kids’ sake and, well, for yours. Family has to stay together."

Wyatt felt a nudge of sorrow at her last words. An echo of her own life and her own desires. "I agree, but Theresa doesn't have the same notion of family that you have. I know how important family is to you. But I also know how important you are to me." He drew in a long, steadying breath, taking another chance. "I don't want you to leave. I want you to stay. I know you had a dream of building a bakery, and I'm hoping you might do that here. In Millar’s Crossing. I want us to spend proper time together. Get to know each other better. I know that we have something wonderful, and I know that it's worth investing in." He shook his head, looking down. "And didn't that last comment sound romantic."

But she was chuckling, her hands tightening on his, her other hand covering them both. "I agree. And I want to spend more time with you and the kids as well. I care about you. A lot." Then she released a light laugh. "In fact, I...I love you."

Wyatt's eyes flew up at that, surprise and joy flooding him. He stared at her, realizing what this statement cost her. "Oh, my dear girl," he said, unable to keep his distance. He pulled her closer, leaned in, and kissed her. Hard. Then he pulled back. "I love you too. So much that I don't think the words