“But you haven’t been able to?”

  “No.” She sneaked a quick peek at Taylor before she said, “I want to ask you something, but I’m afraid it’ll come off as callous or insensitive.”

  From what Taylor knew of her, Gabby was sweet and considerate. Taylor couldn’t imagine she would say or do anything to offend her. “Ask.”

  “You’re sure it’s okay?”

  “Positive.”

  “How did you…?” Gabby shook her head. “No, I can’t. Forget it.”

  “Gabby, I want us to be friends. But we can’t be if you’re always walking on eggshells around me. So whatever it is, just ask. Please.”

  “Okay.” She bit her lip as she stared into her bowl. “How did you get over your husband? I mean, I know you loved him. So how did you give yourself permission to fall for Rush?” Looking panicked, she said, “I don’t mean to make that sound like a judgment. It’s not, I swear! I envy you. I just want to know how to forget about Colt so I can get on with my life too.”

  Taylor smiled. “Falling for Rush just kind of happened. I certainly didn’t plan on it. As for forgetting my husband, I haven’t. I never will. But that doesn’t mean the pain won’t diminish with time. I’m sure it will. The memories will fade a little as years pass without seeing his face.”

  Gabby shook her head. “You’re right. When Colt left Vista Falls, I thought I’d never get over it.”

  “But you did,” Taylor said, pouring the second half of her batter into the prepared muffin tins. “You met someone else, you fell in love, and you will again. Right now it seems like Colt is the only man in the world you could ever love, but that’s not the case.”

  “How do you know that for sure?” Gabby asked, her eyes welling with tears.

  “Because he’s not here, is he?” Taylor hated hurting Gabby, but she hated even more the idea of her new friend wasting precious time on a man who may never come back. “If he loved you as much as you clearly love him, he’d be here fighting for you. He’d do anything, face anything, to make it work with you.”

  “He’s such a coward!” Gabby cried, sniffling. “God, I hate him sometimes!”

  “We must be talking about Colt,” Sage said, walking into the kitchen.

  “Hey, I didn’t hear the door,” Gabby said, reaching for a paper napkin. “When did you sneak in?”

  “Just in time to hear you speak the truth.” She gave her friend a level look. “He’s not worth it. You know that, so why waste your tears on him?”

  Taylor knew that Colt was still Wes’s best friend and business partner, so it couldn’t be easy for Sage to speak out against him.

  “No more!” Gabby said, squaring her shoulders. “I don’t care if I ever see him again.”

  “Um, you will. Sooner rather than later,” Sage said, pouring herself a glass of wine.

  “What are you talking about?” Gabby asked, wide-eyed, as she grabbed Sage’s arm. “He’s not back in town, is he?”

  “No, but he will be,” Sage said, bringing the glass to her lips. “For the wedding.”

  “The wedding?” Gabby’s mouth dropped open before she snapped it shut again. “You and Wes have finally set a date? When are you getting married?”

  “The last Saturday in August.”

  “Surely you’re not talking about next month,” Gabby said, looking stunned. “You can’t possibly plan a wedding in that amount of time.”

  “Why not?” Sage asked, looking smug. “We already knew we were going to have it at the inn and Rush gave us the go-ahead. It just so happens my best friend is a florist, so I’m pretty sure she can set us up with flowers.” She peeked around Gabby, smiling at Taylor. “And I hear cupcake wedding cakes are all the rage right now.”

  Taylor was touched that Sage wanted to include her in their wedding. “Are you sure you want me? Maybe you should go with a professional?”

  “I’m positive.” Sage smiled. “If it’s not too much to ask?”

  “I’d be honored.” It felt like a symbol of their friendship and a way she could honor two people who meant so much to Rush.

  “Oh my God,” Gabby said, throwing her arms around her best friend. “I’m so happy for you guys! I can’t believe it. You’re finally going to marry Wes!”

  “It’s about time, don’t you think?” Sage asked, giggling.

  “Way past due,” Gabby agreed. “What about Nick? Does he know his parents are planning to tie the knot in a few short weeks?”

  “That’s part of the reason we picked that date,” Sage explained. “We wanted to do it before Nick starts back to school in the fall.”

  Looking slightly dejected, Gabby asked, “Does that mean he’s planning to go back to Brock?”

  “That is his home.” Sage’s gaze strayed to a built-in desk in the corner of the large kitchen. On top was a picture of her with Wes and Nick on either side of her. All three of them were sporting ear-to-ear grins. “Having this summer with him is more than I ever could have hoped for, and I know that we’ve formed a bond with him that will last the rest of our lives. It won’t matter whether he’s living in Brock or going to college in another state, he’ll always be a part of our lives.”

  Taylor couldn’t help but think of the blessing Sage and Wes had been given: a second chance with their child. She would give anything for that, but since it wasn’t possible, she wondered if a second chance to be a mother would be too much to hope for…

  Chapter Fifteen

  Rush was walking through the park, holding Taylor’s hand, when he spotted an old friend. He’d known Juliette would be there since she was the town’s new mayor, but looking at her through Taylor’s eyes made him uneasy for one simple reason—the woman was stunning. There hadn’t been anything between them in a long, long time, but if he had to claim one real ex-girlfriend, it would have to be Juliette.

  “Oh my God,” Juliette said, sneaking away from the group she’d been talking to when she spotted him. “Rush Davis, get over here. I haven’t seen you in forever. Where have you been hiding?”

  Rush released Taylor’s hand long enough to give Juliette a quick hug. “Uh, hey, Jules. Nice to see you.”

  The beautiful brunette smiled at Taylor. “I don’t believe I’ve seen you around before. Are you new to town?”

  “Taylor’s been working for me at the inn,” he said, slipping his arm around Taylor’s waist so Juliette would understand she was more than just his employee.

  “Oh.” Juliette smiled, her gaze drifting between the two of them. “Well, it’s always nice to see a new face.”

  “Juliette’s the new mayor,” Rush explained to Taylor.

  “Really?” Taylor asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “I know what you’re thinking,” Juliette said with a laugh, touching Taylor’s arm. “I don’t look old enough, right? Don’t let that fool you. My daddy was the mayor, so I’ve lived and breathed municipal politics since I was this high.” She touched her hand to her thigh. “Some say it was a pity vote, since my father campaigned hard on my behalf when he was ready to retire, but I’m determined to prove to everyone that I’m every bit as committed as he was.”

  “Those who know you have no doubt in your abilities, Jules. You’re as tenacious as you are beautiful.”

  “You say the sweetest things,” Juliette said, patting his chest. “Doesn’t he now?” she asked Taylor.

  “He sure does,” Taylor muttered, looking at Rush as though she was wondering whether the heat could be responsible for his idiocy.

  Flirting came as naturally to Rush as breathing. He didn’t think anything of it, but Taylor clearly did. “Um, you haven’t seen my mother around here, have you?” he asked Juliette, knowing that would be the perfect excuse to escape.

  “Yeah, she’s right over there,” Juliette said, pointing at a group of ladies wearing colorful sunhats. “With some of her friends from the church.”

  “Great, I’ve got to speak to her about something. Will you excuse us?”

  “Of course, honey. Just make sure you save me a dance later, okay?”

  “Uh, yeah, sure.” Though he couldn’t see that happening, he didn’t want to be rude.

  “Nice meeting you, Taylor,” Juliette said, smiling. “If you plan to stick around and find you have some extra time on your hands when the inn slows down in the fall and winter, we could always use help on one of our committees.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” Taylor said, smiling as she extended her hand. “It was a real pleasure.”

  Rush expected a tongue-lashing when he finally managed to find them a little space under the shade of an old oak tree. Gripping Taylor’s upper arms, he said, “Baby, I’m sorry if that was awkward. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. Juliette’s an old friend and—”

  “Old friend or old girlfriend?”

  Rush felt heat creeping up his neck. “Uh, we dated for a while.” His grip on her tightened when he whispered, “But there hasn’t been anything between us in years, I swear.”

  She laughed, patting his chest. “Relax. I’m not upset just because your ex-girlfriend looks like she stepped off the cover of some magazine.” She glanced over her shoulder. “And seems smart and sweet to boot.”

  Rush couldn’t argue that Juliette was all of those things, but what he’d felt for her couldn’t compare to what he felt for Taylor.

  “I’ve been thinking about this a lot,” she said, hooking her fingers in the waistband of his board shorts. “If I got upset every time I met someone you’ve dated or someone who’d like to date you, I’d waste an awful lot of time and energy, wouldn’t I?”

  “I guess you would,” he said, wrapping his arms around her. “Then you’re not mad?”

  “That depends,” she said, tipping her head back to look at him. “Are you still interested in her?”

  “Hell no! Are you crazy? There’s no one else for me, girl. Just you.” He punctuated his point with a kiss.

  “Then I’m not mad,” she said, smiling against his lips. “That doesn’t mean you can’t dial back the flirting a little.”

  He winced. He really was a dumbass sometimes. “Consider it dialed back.”

  “Good,” she said, looking smug. “You know what this means, don’t you?”

  “No. What?”

  “I’m developing more and more faith in you… and us.”

  “That is music to my ears,” he whispered, brushing his lips against her ear.

  ***

  Taylor was helping Rush’s mother hand out cotton candy to all of the little kids lined up at the booth when she realized she didn’t feel a sharp pain in her chest every time a smile lit up one of their faces.

  “Are you okay, dear?” Mrs. Davis asked, touching her shoulder.

  Taylor didn’t even realize she’d gasped until Rush’s mother drew her attention to it. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Davis. I was just—”

  “Sharon, remember?” She smiled, wagging a finger at her. “You promised.”

  “You’re right,” Taylor said, laughing self-consciously. “Sharon.”

  “Lynn,” Sharon said, reaching for her friend’s hand, “Taylor and I are going to get a cold drink. Do you think you could fill in for a few minutes?”

  “Of course,” the white-haired woman said, smiling at them. “You need a break from the hot sun. You’ve been at this for a while now. Take all the time you need.”

  Sharon led Taylor to a recently abandoned picnic table where the aroma of hot dogs still lingered. When they were seated, she said, “I hope you won’t be upset, but I heard about what happened… the accident.”

  Vista Falls was a small town, and given the horrific circumstances surrounding her past, Taylor couldn’t say she was surprised people were talking about it. “I’m not upset.”

  “I didn’t even think about what I was asking when I suggested you help me with the booth.” She shook her head, looking distraught as she removed her cotton sunhat and slapped it against her leg. “That was so insensitive of me. I’m sorry, honey. I just wanted a chance to get to know you better. It’s obvious you’ve become very important to my son, and I thought—”

  “It’s okay,” Taylor said gently. She glanced at the booth they’d left, smiling at the kids who were jumping up and down and giggling. “Actually, I’m really glad you asked me to help. That was my first real test since I quit teaching, and I feel like I passed.”

  “You do?” Sharon asked, sounding hopeful as she reached for Taylor’s hand.

  “Yeah.” She pushed her sunglasses up on her head as she turned to face Sharon. “When I was teaching, going to work every day was torture because it reminded me of everything I’d lost. But looking at those kids now makes me think maybe it is possible for me to go back to teaching someday.”

  “Oh, I hope so,” Sharon said, smiling. “We need all the devoted teachers we can find around here. Um, assuming you intend to stay on here?” She glanced at her son at the beer tent, enjoying a cold one with his brother. “I know that’s what Rush is hoping for, but—”

  “Rush has talked to you about me?”

  With a mischievous wink, Sharon said, “I popped in to see him at work a few days ago. I brought him some of his favorite cookies. I swear, bribing them is the only way I can get my boys to tell me anything.”

  Taylor didn’t want to pry, but she was dying to know what had been said about her.

  “I can’t say I’ve ever seen him like that,” Sharon said, grinning. “I mean about a woman. He’s been excited about the inn, but at the end of the day, that’s still an inanimate object. It’s nice to see him loving someone who can reciprocate.” Wide-eyed, she slapped her hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to put any pressure on you. I know you’ve been through so much. I can’t even imagine…”

  “It’s okay. Given my past, you must have a lot of questions and concerns about where things stand between me and your son. I’m sure you don’t want to see him get hurt.”

  “Well,” Sharon said, picking a piece of invisible lint off of her fuchsia cotton shorts, “I don’t want you to think I’m meddling, but—”

  Taylor touched her hand. “If I were in your shoes, I’d want to know too.” Her gaze swept to Rush, who was watching them with open curiosity and maybe a little concern. “I know it may seem like this happened way too soon, but I do love your son.”

  “Really?” Her eyes lit up as she clasped her hands under her chin. “Oh, honey, that’s wonderful! I got a sense of how Rush felt about you when we talked, but I was worried that it was one-sided.”

  “It’s not.” Since no one would have better insight on his thoughts about family, Taylor had to ask, “Has he ever talked to you about the possibility of getting married and having kids someday?”

  “No,” Sharon said, pursing her lips. “I’m always the one to bring it up, and he tells me it’ll happen when it happens.”

  “Then you don’t think he’s in a hurry?” Taylor couldn’t get their conversation about the inn out of her head. He wanted a partner, someone who could help him run the place he loved. “To get married or start a family?”

  “You’re asking because you’re not sure when or if you’ll be ready to try again?” Sharon guessed.

  “The last thing I would ever want to do is lead him on.” Taylor felt guilty for having this conversation with Sharon instead of her son.

  “That’s a legitimate concern,” Sharon acknowledged. “Especially given the way he feels about you. But if there’s one thing I can tell you about my son, it’s that he’s patient and understanding.”

  Taylor had already seen evidence of that. “But what if I’m never ready to take that step again?” Her biggest fear was talking herself and Rush into believing she could plan their future only to realize she couldn’t go through with their plans because she was paralyzed with fear.

  “No one would blame you, that’s for certain,” Sharon said. “I can’t even begin to imagine the heartbreak you’ve endured. My husband and children were—are—the center of my world.”

  “Mine were too.” Taylor cleared her throat. “Being a mom and wife was everything I ever wanted.”

  “Me too.” With a sad smile, Sharon said, “Do you think it’s possible for you to love like that again, with your whole heart?”

  She’d asked herself that so many times prior to meeting Rush and the answer had always been no, but the way she felt about him made her question if it was possible. “I’m not sure. I’d like to believe it is.”

  “You know when you have your firstborn, you can’t imagine ever loving someone as much as you love that little person?”

  Tears stung Taylor’s eyes as she nodded.

  “But then your second child is born, and miraculously your heart just seems to expand, so you have enough love for both.” Sharon patted Taylor’s knee. “It’s funny how that happens, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah, I guess it is.”

  “I have a feeling, if you give yourself a chance, you could experience that all over again. Your heart has enough love to give, honey. Both to Rush and any kids you might have. And that wouldn’t take anything away from how much you loved your husband and babies.”

  That had been one of her deep-seated fears, that getting married and having a second family would somehow dull all her beautiful memories. She didn’t want that to happen.

  “I still miss my husband every day,” Sharon said, smiling when Wes raised a bottle of beer, toasting her with a smile. “There are so many things he should be here for: getting to know Nick, Wes and Sage’s wedding next month, meeting you.”

  Taylor was touched that Sharon had included her in the mix. “Do you think it ever gets any easier? People say that time heals wounds, but do you really believe that?”

  “Do I believe that?” Sharon asked, tipping her head as she considered her response. “Yes, I do. When we first lost him, dragging myself out of bed in the morning took all of my energy.”

  “Hmm, I know exactly what you mean.”