“I can’t wait. What are you going to play?”

  She beamed. “Franz Liszt’s La Campanella.”

  No clue. “Sounds great.”

  “She’s the youngest in the class to have mastered it,” Logan said, proud. “She’s the star pupil.”

  “I believe it. You’re my star, baby.” Jax kissed her cheek and put her down. How could he fit a piano in his apartment? He’d find somewhere. Maybe Cassidy could help him piano shop one day next week. If he hadn’t ruined their friendship with the kiss and the blow that he wasn’t going down the marriage road again.

  Lori returned, a little red-eyed. “Come on, Daisy Ray, I’ll take you backstage.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Logan said, leaving Jax alone with Cassidy.

  “You did good, country boy. You did good.”

  He owed it all to her. They entered the banquet hall. “What’s this benefit for?” Odd pictures hung on the walls. Weird sculptures that made no sense.

  “Um…art.”

  “Art?”

  “Cassie?” An artsy looking guy with glasses that probably had zero prescription in them, and mussed hair as if he’d just woken, waved and headed their way. He wore a silver scarf with his tux—and a bowtie. What decent man wore a scarf as attire?

  “Ezra?” Cassie’s mouth dropped open and she ran into his arms. Jax’s gut tightened. “I heard you were in New York. What are you doing here?”

  “Business.” He glanced at Jax and smiled. Friendly enough. Cassidy introduced Jax.

  “This is Ezra Alcott. He’s from Mistletoe.”

  Ezra shook Jax’s hand. Nice firm grip. Did they used to have a thing? Jax would hate to crush him. He couldn’t have her, but he didn’t want anyone else to either, which was completely unfair.

  “Nice to meet you, Jax.” He looked at Cassidy. “How’s…everyone doing?”

  Cassidy squeezed his forearm. “She’s doin’ okay.”

  “Glad to hear it.”

  Silence hung and then Ezra sighed. “Okay, well….nice seeing you, Cassie. I’ll tell Adah we ran into each other.”

  “What is she up to? I haven’t seen her in eons.”

  “She’s working at a spa in California. You know Adah.”

  “More than anyone. We got into some serious trouble back in the day. How’s little Jemma?”

  Ezra groaned. “Hard to contain and not so little. Lives in the city and is seeing someone. She says it’s serious. But…it’s Jemma. So…” He shrugged.

  “I’ll tell Sierra you said hi.”

  Sierra. So that was who they were talking about. Yeah. He could see the two together. Sort of.

  “I-uh…would rather you didn’t.” He tugged on his scarf. Not sure if that or the subject had him uncomfortable. Either way, Jax could relate. Nothing comfortable about this night.

  Cassidy cocked her head. “Okay. If you’re sure.”

  He hugged her. “Better this way,” he murmured. “Enjoy the art.”

  Jax held in a snort as Ezra nodded to him then shuffled through the crowd.

  Cassidy smiled at Jax. “I ran around with his younger sister growing up.”

  “The hard to contain one?” Jax led her through the fancy-pants mass.

  “No. Adah. Jemma was just a little girl.”

  They searched for their table.

  “He and Sierra were a thing?”

  “Yeah. I don’t know all the details. I wasn’t really friends with Sierra until about two years ago. I mean she was always very nice. She won’t or doesn’t talk about him. No one brings him up.”

  “And you with your billions of questions never inquired?” He raised his eyebrows. “Miracles might really happen.”

  “Har-har. Maybe I should.”

  He laughed and they found their table. He pulled her chair out then sat next to her. “So…do you still feel like a princess?”

  She grinned but didn’t answer. Probably not. Princesses always got their princes. Jax was the furthest thing from a prince.

  He placed a linen napkin over his lap. “I hope the food isn’t as weird as the so-called art.”

  Cassidy slanted a disapproving glare his way. “Tonight and for tonight only I’m glad you don’t have much to say. Better to say nothing at all if you can’t say something nice.”

  She had a point. “I can’t believe I laid down a thousand bucks for this cause.”

  “You laid down a thousand bucks for Daisy Ray.”

  He liked the way Cassidy saw things. “You’re right. Worth every penny and then some.”

  “Dang skippy.”

  He grinned. What was he going to do about this woman?

  CHAPTER NINE

  Jax worked his way around the pond behind Knox’s house. He saw why Cassidy came here often. Quiet. Nothing but birds rattling through branches. A few plops in the pond. Leaves and twigs cracked under his feet. The sun had crawled out and made the day perfect. Not hot. Not cold. He hadn’t even needed a jacket.

  Thursday night had been amazing. His daughter was a prodigy and a hit. Three times as she played she looked out into the crowd and found him, her face wide with a smile. It had warmed him to the bones. Cassidy had taken his hand as Daisy Ray played, and he caught a tear sliding down her cheek. Jax had desperately wanted to reach over and kiss the dampened streak it had left.

  Lori had agreed to Daisy Ray coming to spend the night with him for her birthday. The furniture had been painted, with help from Cassidy, and he’d once again given her his card so she could make some purchases for Daisy Ray’s bedroom while in the city taking care of her clients. Cassidy had made good on her word and worked her behind off, burning the midnight oil with him as they hustled to get the apartment ready. He’d had to hire a small crew to come in. Which was fine. It had to be perfect for next Saturday.

  This morning, he’d shown up at Abundant Life Church. Cassidy’s face had been priceless. Shock. Confusion. Joy. He’d sat beside her and it had felt right. Gabe Brookson was a good preacher, too. Funny. Kind. Held his attention the whole time as he preached about missing the mark and stumbling through life.

  “Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord holds his hand.” The Scripture Pastor Gabe had used tugged and twisted in Jax’s heart. He’d been overwhelmed. He’d fallen. If God had his hand, why did his marriage fail?

  I had your hand. I still have your hand.

  But you let go.

  Jax remembered when Daisy Ray was about three and didn’t want to leave the park. She’d buckled at the knees and refused to walk with Jax. He’d taken her hand but she wouldn’t wrap her fingers around his. He’d had to drag her kicking and screaming, hanging on to her open hand. She’d fought and struggled, but Jax never let go. He just kept moving her along.

  Jax plopped on a tree stump and stared at the water.

  God hadn’t been the center of their marriage. Not even when they went to church. He and Lori had both let go. He’d asked God to save his marriage, but not taken steps to try. Neither had Lori.

  Maybe while he was on the ground with buckled knees, he should pray.

  He sank in the mossy grass. “I don’t even know what to pray for. I don’t know where to start. Because I’m terrified. I’m terrified of Cass leaving me.”

  I still have your hand.

  God hadn’t left him.

  But God wasn’t Cass.

  “Hey man, am I interrupting?” Knox stood a few feet away, a peppermint stick in his mouth. Even in the middle of church he was sucking on those things.

  “Your land.” He got up and perched on the stump again.

  Knox picked up a stick and tossed it into the pond. “You know my wife used to be married to the former pastor of the church?”

  Jax shook his head.

  “He stuck by me when no one else did. Died in a car accident.”

  Jax wasn’t sure where Knox was going with this conversation. “Cassie’s like a sister to me. Since she worked for me in the bar.”

  “Is this your ‘what are your intentions’ speech?”

  “I guess. Maybe. I never had good intentions toward any woman until Eden. She scared the devil out of me.” He chuckled and crunched into his peppermint. “She’s still too good for me. But I had to take the chance. The woman consumed me. Thing is, I didn’t have the courage to pursue her on my own.”

  Jax had heard of Knox’s reputation, mostly from Cassidy, who thought he hung the moon. “Well, I have no intentions toward Cassidy.” But he wanted intentions. Had proven that with the kiss. Maybe not to her, but to himself. If he could be certain she’d stick with him for better or worse, he might be able to muster the same kind of courage Knox had.

  “Ah, my mistake.” He headed toward the woods then turned back. “Just because one marriage ended doesn’t mean another one has to. If you love her, fight the fear and pursue her. And ask God to fight for you. That’s the key right there, man. See you on the field.”

  He waved and disappeared behind the trees.

  What if he messed up? What if he failed her? What if she looked him in the eye and told him the exact words Lori had?

  But what if she didn’t?

  “God, give me the courage to fight. To forgive. And forgive me for giving up on You when You never gave up on me.” A peace washed over him.

  It was time to see Lori.

  To see Lori and move on. And to trust God for his future.

  With Cassidy.

  ***

  “You nervous?” Cassie placed the colorful pillows around the bed, then smoothed the bright orange curtains. She and Jax had worked hard and it had paid off. The apartment was spacious and smelled nice. Jax said he’d eventually put down hardwood. “Because I think she’ll love it.”

  Today was the day. She’d spent most of last night and this morning helping decorate for the big festival, and Jax was going to pick up Daisy Ray and bring her here to it, then show her the new room. It looked fantastic. Two chocolate brown walls, two lime. Lots of cool little neon throw rugs and a fun comforter that looked like the skittles rainbow. A room made for a princess.

  Cassie had even decorated the rest of the place and unpacked the boxes that had lined the dining area walls. Still masculine, but made for a kid. Or a woman who visited. Definitely not her, though. Jax had made it clear he wasn’t going to marry ever again. He hadn’t kissed her again after that one off-the-charts kiss. The best kiss she’d ever had. Instinct had told her to walk away or risk getting hurt but something else told her to stick it out. Jax needed her help with Daisy Ray if nothing else. But now it was finished. She sighed.

  “Jax?”

  She turned around. He was missing. She straightened the cluster of pictures on the wall. Cassie had purchased some classical sheet music and framed them in bright colored frames. This was definitely a home now.

  One that wouldn’t include Cassie. God, will he ever heal? Wouldn’t he want to start over if he did? Even though he was angry, was he still pining and wishing for Lori to come back? She seemed happy with Logan, but Cassie hadn’t missed her pain at seeing Jax with Cassie. And she’d cried. What if she decided she wanted him back? Then what? No, she was married now. But who knew.

  “Hey.”

  Cassie jumped at Jax’s voice.

  “Room looks awesome, Cass.” Car keys dangled from his fingers.

  “Where you going?” She tried not to ogle him, but the man was drop-dead in his frayed jeans, worn in all the right places, and his black Henley stretched tight across his chest and biceps.

  “Chicago.”

  “You want me to come?”

  “No.” He jiggled his keys. “I mean…I’m meeting Lori for coffee before I get Daisy Ray.”

  Cassie’s stomach twisted. “Oh.” She forced a playful grin. “Do I need to be ready with bail money?”

  The corner of his mouth indented. “No. Not this time. But it’s nice to know you have my back.”

  She’d like to have all of him. “Sure,” she croaked, and held back tears. Maybe he’d seen what Cassie saw. That at least part of Lori still loved him. Old insecurities rose. This was too much. She couldn’t do this anymore. Every day, every minute she spent with him, she loved him more, and for what? Nothing. He didn’t want her.

  “Jax, I’m gonna be done at the shop after next week.”

  Brow furrowed, he cocked his head. “What? Why?”

  She bit the inside of her bottom lip to keep the tremble at bay. “My business is struggling.” Right along with her heart. “I need to work on growing it, trying to establish it.”

  “I guess that makes sense. Okay. You’ve got me in working order.” He nodded once, but his nostrils flared.

  That was it? That easy? He was just going to let her go? Let her walk away? She’d hoped for a little fight. No one fought for her. Just once she’d like someone to. Was she good for nothing more than a roll in the hay? Did no one see anything worth wanting for keeps in her? “Right then. Okay.” Her chin quivered and she ducked her head and brushed past Jax.

  He caught her arm.

  “I’ll see you at the festival? Daisy Ray’s already asked about you.”

  “I don’t know. I-I don’t feel well.”

  “Cass,” he murmured. “Please.”

  “You know, I don’t think it’s a smart idea. I’m crazy about her. I am. But she’s crazy about me, and I think she may have the wrong idea about us. It’s not good for her.” It wasn’t good for Cassie either. To keep hoping for something more. “Don’t you think?”

  He breathed a sigh.

  “That’s what I thought.” She broke free from his grasp and bolted from the apartment, breaking into tears. She climbed onto her bike and pedaled out the pain. No matter how fast she pushed herself, it continued to hurt. At home she climbed her perfect little porch and knelt to run her fingertips across it. She sniffed and opened her screen door. The squeak was gone.

  Sobs formed. The jerk had come and fixed her door. He’d give her his time. Access to his billing information and his bank account. He’d even give her Daisy Ray.

  But not him. He wouldn’t allow her to have his heart.

  Lori was right. He kept pieces of himself and wouldn’t let them go. He put those pieces into his furniture then sold them off.

  She curled up on her couch and cried herself to sleep. When she woke it was noon on Sunday. Cassie had missed church and trick-or-treaters from the night before. She’d been slap worn out. Emotionally. Physically.

  The coffee pot called her name. She heaped in the grounds then showered and dressed. The rest of the afternoon was spent cleaning her funky house and catching up on her own business. Around three o’ clock a knock sounded on her door. She opened it to Jax.

  It hurt to see him.

  “Get your coat. It’s chilly.”

  She frowned. “Why?”

  “Do it.”

  She rolled her eyes and trudged to the kitchen, grabbing it off the back of her chair. She slipped it on and belted it then tugged on her boots. “Where are we going? Where’s Daisy Ray?”

  “I took her home. I wish you could have been there to take her in while she saw her new room. I tried to call.” He sighed. “She loved it. I knew she would. Thanks to you.”

  “Thanks to you. And your debit card.” She did wish she could have seen Daisy Ray’s eyes light up. The sweet little thing probably jumped into her daddy’s arms and hugged his neck. As it should be. Cassie held back tears. Probably better she hadn’t been there. It would only deepen the wound she already felt.

  “Just got back. We missed you at church,” he said.

  She paused. “You were at church today? With Daisy Ray?” A dressy, plaid shirt peeked out from his short, khaki dress coat. Definitely not his typical T-shirt or denim jacket with a thick, wooly collar.

  He grinned and nodded, then took her hand and led her to the truck, opening the door for her.

  What was with the smile and the mystery? “Where are we going, Jax?”

  ***

  Jax started the truck. Yesterday, he’d made the decision to meet with Lori and try to work through the mess they’d made. The first step was him forgiving her. He’d like to be able to tell Cassidy that he’d done it. Forgiven her in one fell swoop, but he hadn’t. It was going to be a process. A day-to-day thing, but it was easier now that he’d prayed and asked God to do the work.

  “So she loved it, huh?” Cassidy’s voice was so tired. Weak. He’d hurt her when he’d let her walk away yesterday. When he’d told her she didn’t need to work for him. But she was right. She needed to build her business and since the plans Jax had put into motion in the last couple days were panning out, she could devote all her time to doing just that. She wouldn’t need that stupid extra money from working for him anymore.

  “Yeah. Bounced around like a human pogo-stick. Wished you’d have been there so she could hug and thank you.” He pulled onto Knox’s and Eden’s road. “Come on.”

  “What are we doing here?”

  “Anyone ever tell you that you ask a lot of questions?”

  Even her smile was tired. He parked then hopped out and opened her door. He took her hand and led her through the forest, their breathing quiet, leaves and twigs snapping. “Knox says you come out here almost every day.”

  “I do.”

  Jax led her to the pond. Took a breath. God, help me get this right. Let the words come. “I saw Lori yesterday. We had coffee.”

  “Great. What’s it got to do with here?” Lips pursed. She was jealous.

  “Everything. Nothing.”

  “Jax, you suck at expounding.”

  “You’re right. I do. I’ve never been a man of many words. I’ve never been able to get them right. It had a big hand in wrecking my marriage. And I’ve been afraid it’ll wreck another one. I’ve been afraid I won’t be enough for someone else.”

  Compassion filled Cassidy’s eyes. “That’s not true. Not to say it wouldn’t be a challenge…” She kind of laughed.

  He loved her so much.

  “I didn’t fix your house to say sorry. Although, I tend to do stuff to express how I feel. It’s easier.”

  Cassidy dug her boot into the earthy ground. “Then why did you do it?”