“You’re welcome.”

  He ran a hand over his face. “I owe you an apology. If I’d known Elle’s sister worked there, I obviously wouldn’t have taken you in.”

  “It’s okay,” she said, shrugging. “It’s no big deal.”

  “Really?” He looked into her eyes before reaching for her hand.

  She thought of their conversation that morning, and the words honesty and communication filtered through her mind. “Okay, I admit it. I’m jealous. Happy now?”

  He flashed a sexy grin before dipping his head to try to hide it when she pierced his hand with her short nails. “Sorry, but I’m not gonna lie. I think your possessiveness is kind of hot.”

  Her jaw dropped when she realized she was being possessive. For the first time in her life. She’d never cared whether Trevor talked to other women. When she saw him chatting with a pretty girl at a bar or party, she’d chalked it up to harmless flirting. So why did the green-eyed monster keep rearing its ugly head when she thought about Rush with another woman?

  “What?” he asked, drawing back to look at her. “What did I say? You’re not pissed again, are you?”

  She shook her head slowly, wondering if she should tell him the truth. Communication, Taylor. Honesty, remember? “You do make me crazy,” she said, shaking her head slowly. “You’re too good-looking. Maybe that’s the problem. I get the feeling you’ve dated half the single girls in town, and those who haven’t dated you probably want to.”

  “Not half,” he said, pretending to be offended before smiling. “Maybe a quarter.”

  She withdrew her hand from his, sitting back as she crossed her arms and tried to keep her lips from twitching. “You’re impossible.”

  “But here’s the deal,” he said, his eyes suddenly searing her with their intensity. “I’m kind of feeling that they were just practice for the real thing.”

  “Really?” Taylor sounded a little breathless, but she couldn’t help it. They both kept skating around the truth, but it was obvious they were falling hard for each other. And it was scary as all get out, but exhilarating at the same time.

  “I know I’ve said this before, but this…” He gestured between them with his hand. “Feeling like this is new to me. And I should be scared. Who I am kidding? I am scared, but I’m also excited about the possibility of a future with you.”

  A future? Her past filtered through her mind: her wedding day, the day they moved into their own home together, the births of her babies, christenings, birthdays, first days of school… Suddenly it was all too much.

  She jumped up. “I’m sorry, do you mind if we leave now?”

  ***

  Rush knew he’d stuck his size eleven in his mouth when he suggested he and Taylor could have a future together. If the beeline she’d made out of the café hadn’t tipped him off, the near-silent drive back to the inn would have.

  “I’m sorry,” he said when he pulled into the parking lot of his inn and cut the engine. “I know you’ve been through hell this past year. I have no business talking to you about the future when you’re still trying to deal with what happened. That was really insensitive of me.”

  “No, it wasn’t.” Her sad smile broke his heart as she brushed her thumb across his knuckles. “I love that you think I’m special. If I’d met you a few years after the accident, maybe this wouldn’t be quite so hard. But right now, I’m still suffering so much every single day. And I don’t know how I can think about the future when I’m still haunted by the past.”

  “Helen and Ray suggested something that might help.”

  “What’s that?”

  “First off, they know about the accident.” Before she could make any assumptions, he said, “Not because I told them. They found out on their own.”

  “How?”

  He was almost embarrassed to admit it because he knew it would make her think they were buttinskis, which they typically weren’t. “They asked Dana your last name. Apparently they Googled you and the story came up.”

  She nodded, not looking as upset as he had expected. “Probably because the local papers interviewed my parents for their story after the accident.”

  “Are you mad that they did that? I’d understand if you were.”

  “No.” She smiled, stroking the stubble on his jaw with her fingertips. “They love you. They’re looking out for you. How could I be angry about that? They don’t know me. All they know is that they come here, and you’ve fallen for some girl who isn’t willing to tell you about her past or where she’s from. That would raise red flags for anyone.”

  “Yeah well, when they found out what you’d been through, they reminded me that there’s a great support group at the church for people who need to talk about their grief over the loss of a loved one.”

  “Really?”

  Encouraged that she wasn’t shutting him down and was willing to connect with more locals, he said, “I’m not sure when the meetings are, but now that you have the truck, you can go anytime. I’ll make sure we work out your schedule, so you don’t have to work when there’s a meeting.”

  “I’ll look into it. Thanks.” She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for today. I had a wonderful time.”

  “I did too.” He wasn’t sure if he should invite her back to his place, but he didn’t want to sleep alone. “There’s a game on tonight. You feel like watching it with me?”

  “Actually, I’m pretty tired. Rain check?”

  “Sure.” He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand before kissing her softly. “Can I walk you to your room?”

  She smiled. “I don’t think so. If you did, I’d probably invite you in. Then neither of us would get any sleep… again.”

  He sighed dramatically. “Fine, shoot me down.”

  “Stop,” she said, laughing playfully. “You know I’d spend every waking moment with you if I could.”

  All of the fears that had been dogging him the past couple of hours suddenly receded, making him smile. “You would?”

  “You know I would. Not to mention the sleeping hours.”

  “Hey,” he said before she could reach for the door handle, “I almost forgot. Gabby wants you to help her and Sage bake for the Founder’s Day party this weekend. You up for that?”

  “That sounds like fun. I’ll call them and get the details.”

  “Does that mean you’ll go to the party with me?” He knew it should be a given, but he didn’t want Taylor to think he was taking anything for granted.

  “The way I see it, I have to,” she said, winking as she climbed out of his truck. “Who’s going to keep all those hot girls away from you?”

  Chapter Twelve

  Taylor had only been back in her room a few minutes when her mother called. “Hey, Mom. What’s up?”

  “You sound better.”

  And she had Rush to thank for it. “What can I say? It was a good day.”

  “Then I hope I won’t ruin it by asking what I’m about to ask you.”

  Taylor sank down on her bed, propping her head against the headboard using two fluffy pillows. “I’m not sure I like the sound of this. What is it?”

  Her mother sighed as though she was working up her courage. “Some of the ladies thought it would be a nice idea to memorialize Trevor and the kids on the anniversary of the accident. You know, a little get-together in the town square: candles, releasing balloons, inviting people to say a few words, share a favorite memory.”

  The anniversary of the accident was less than two weeks away. How could she be expected to go back in twelve short days and face everyone she knew and loved? “I’m not so sure, Mom.”

  “Please, baby. I know it won’t be easy, but everyone’s still grieving. We all miss Trev and those babies. We always will. This is a chance for all of us to get together and share that, but we can’t imagine doing it without you.”

  “I love that they want to do that, but…” How could she tell the grandmother of her children that for the first time in nearly a year, she could take a breath without feeling as though her chest would crack wide open? “I’m finally starting to feel a little bit better, and that’s because… well, I’ve met someone.”

  She hadn’t intended to tell her family about Rush so soon, but she wasn’t sure she could avoid it now. If she went back to Brock, she wanted to do it with him. She held her breath, waiting for a lecture about being careful because of all the crazies out there.

  “Really? Oh, honey, that’s wonderful. Tell me all about him!”

  “You don’t think it’s too soon?” Taylor whispered, wondering if the whole town would think that when they saw her with another man.

  “Of course not! Trev loved you. He would have wanted you to be happy.”

  “Well, his name is Rush.”

  “Rush?”

  “It’s a nickname.” Which made her realize she still didn’t know his given name, not that it mattered to her. “Anyways, he owns the inn where I’m working as a waitress this summer.”

  “Really? He’s your age?”

  “Give or take a few years.”

  “Perfect. Ever been engaged? Married? Any kids?”

  She couldn’t believe her mother thought she’d be strong enough to date a single dad. “No, no, and no.”

  “Hmm.”

  “I know what that means. You don’t approve?”

  “Oh no, honey, it’s not that. It’s just, a guy that age who’s presumably successful and never been in a committed relationship… maybe there’s a reason. Could it be he’s just looking for a good time? A summer fling, perhaps?”

  Taylor’s eyes drifted to the flowers he’d given her. “He wants a commitment. I’m just not sure I can give it to him.”

  “Does he know everything?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh, good. Then at least he’ll be patient with you. Surely he understands that it’s going to take you some time to get over what happened.”

  “I’m never going to get over it. I’m just trying to find a way to live with it.”

  “I know, sweetheart. That’s what I meant.”

  Taylor tried to remind herself that her mother had been through just as much as she had, watching her daughter’s heart breaking at the same time she lost her son-in-law and both grandbabies. “I’m just scared, I guess. I’m not sure if I can give Rush what he needs. Ever.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I know I’m getting way ahead of myself here. We’ve only been dating for, like, a minute, but if things do get more serious and he wants more—”

  “Like marriage and a family?”

  “Yeah.” Her eyes filled with tears as she stared at the painting above the TV, a painting of the sun setting over the inn’s lake. “How could I even think about doing that again?”

  “You’re strong and resilient, Taylor. I know it may not feel that way now, but you are. I know how much you loved being a mama. Those babies were your life. How can you not want that again?”

  “I’m sorry, I can’t talk about this now.” After the day she’d had of trying to sort out her feelings for Rush, this was just too much. “Can I let you know about the memorial?”

  “Of course, sweetheart. But I do hope you’ll come. And bring Rush. We’d all love to meet him.”

  “Bye, Mom. Love you.”

  “Love you too, honey.”

  Taylor glanced at the clock, imagining Rush parked in front of his large flat screen, watching the game. She wished she was with him, curled up in his arms as they cheered on their favorite team. As she got up to wander out to her patio, she wondered what it would be like to live here, with him, to call this place home.

  “Oh hi, Taylor,” Helen said, waving when she spotted her. “I was just taking Muffin out to do her duty.”

  Taylor smiled at the adorable Yorkie with a cone that looked bigger than she was. “The poor girl.”

  “I know.” Helen pouted comically. “She’s feeling better I think, but we’re both counting down the hours ‘til she can take it off.” She pointed toward their massive RV, which Rush had invited them to park in his lot. “Ray’s lying down. How about I grab a bottle of wine and join you? Unless you’d rather be alone?”

  “No, some company would be nice.” It would help to get an objective opinion, which her mother wasn’t capable of giving. If they found out that Rush lived only one hour from Brock, her parents would push Taylor that much harder to give a relationship with him a chance.

  “Wonderful. Just let me take Muffin inside and I’ll be right back.”

  While Helen was in the RV, Taylor took the time to slip inside and put on a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt, to protect her from both bugs and the nip in the air. Though it was July, it was an unseasonably cool night with the threat of rain hovering. By the time she returned, Helen was settling in on one of two chairs, pouring each of them a glass of wine.

  Taylor didn’t feel much like drinking, but she didn’t want to be rude, so she accepted the glass with a warm smile. “Thanks.”

  “Here’s to new friends,” Helen said, tapping her glass against Taylor’s.

  “Cheers.” Taylor took a sip of the merlot before glancing at Helen. “Rush told me you know about the accident.”

  “Oh, dear,” Helen said, looking alarmed. “I hope you don’t think we’re horrible people for sticking our noses in where they don’t belong.”

  Since Taylor had grown up in a small town, she knew that was par for the course. “I understand. You were just looking out for Rush, right?”

  “And you,” Helen said, looking troubled. “It was obvious you were going through something. We wanted to help if we could. We thought if we learned what happened, we’d be able to advise Rush on how to be more sensitive.”

  “I’m not upset you felt compelled to do a little digging.” Taylor reached for Helen’s hand when she still looked uncertain. “Honest, I’m not.”

  “Thank goodness,” she said, exhaling as she leaned back, splaying her other hand over her chest. “Now that we’ve got that out of the way, tell me, did you and Rush have a nice day? Dana said he took you into town?”

  “It was lovely.” She rested her heels against the edge of the footstool, bending her legs. “Vista Falls is such a pretty town. A lot like Brock, in fact, but more scenic, with all the lakes and waterfalls.”

  “We love it here,” Helen said with a contented sigh. “It was so hard for us to leave, but we had to if we were ever going to see more of the country.”

  “Then you’ve never regretted selling Rush the inn?”

  “Heavens, no. It was time to pass the torch. When we see the things Rush has done with this place in the short time he’s owned it, we know we made the right decision.”

  “So you travel around in the RV all year?”

  “For now.” Helen took a sip of her wine. “But we are planning to buy a little house here when we feel we need to put down more permanent roots. We figure we should be able to see most of what we want to see in the next year or two. When we sold the place to Rush, we bought a condo in Florida, then we moved to Arizona for a while. Eventually, we sold that condo and bought the RV so we could travel more. But Vista Falls is and always will be home.”

  Taylor thought of the life Helen described. Having someone to share her golden years with, traveling and seeing the world instead of lamenting over an empty nest, seemed like a pretty great way to spend one’s retirement. “I’m sure Rush would be thrilled if you moved back. I know how much you and Ray mean to him.”

  Helen’s smile was tender and affectionate when she said, “And we love that boy like our son. Which is why I feel compelled to ask, can you see yourself staying on here with Rush?”

  “I’ve just been asking myself that same question,” Taylor admitted.

  “And?”

  “It’s beautiful here.” She inhaled deeply, appreciating the crisp, fresh country air. “The people are so warm and friendly. And small town life is definitely for me. I couldn’t imagine living in a big city.”

  “But you’re a teacher, not a waitress, right?”

  “I loved teaching,” Taylor said, thinking about the kids who’d passed through her classroom, taking a little piece of her heart when they moved on to the next grade. “But it was just too hard for me to go on doing it after the accident. I tried. I took some time off, but I managed to finish up the last few months of the school year. But I realized that I needed some time to heal before I could decide whether I was really strong enough to go back to it.”

  “I don’t know if Rush told you, but my friend Vera teaches first grade at the local elementary school. She’s going to be retiring the year after next, which means there will be a job opening, should you decide to stay on here. I’d be happy to ask Vera to put in a good word for you when the time comes.”

  Another year to distance herself from the pain may be just what she needed. Taylor knew schools liked to make their hiring decisions months in advance, but that would still give her plenty of time to decide whether Vista Falls was going to be her permanent home. “Thanks, I’ll think about it and let you know.”

  “It sure is a nice night, isn’t it?” Helen asked. “Not too hot or humid, just the way I like it.”

  “I agree.” Taylor sipped her wine before asking, “Do you and Ray ever miss the inn?”

  “All the time. That’s why we come back to visit.”

  Taylor could understand why. Even though she’d only been there a short time, it was already hard for her to imagine leaving. “Can I ask your advice about something?”

  She laughed, her eyes crinkling with amusement. “Honey, you can ask anyone who knows me—doling out advice is my very favorite thing to do.”

  Since Helen knew better than most how to live with grief, Taylor said, “My mom just called and told me they want to have a little memorial for my husband and kids in Brock on the anniversary of the accident. She wants me to come.”

  “I see. And how do you feel about that?”

  “I’m torn. I’m expecting that day to be difficult.” Not that every other day was any easier. “Maybe having people around me who knew and loved Trev and the kids would make it a bit easier. Commemorating their lives in that way would be nice.”