Almost an hour before her alarm clock was set to wake her, Sara gave up on the idea of sleeping, and climbed out of bed, her checklist running on an endless loop in her head. Somewhere in the past two months marketing coordination had turned into project management and event planning.
She was set to meet Kent and other library committee members at nine. The mayor would lead the ribbon-cutting at ten. After that, the doors would open to the public for children’s story time, tours and talks with librarians, and author appearances throughout the afternoon. It’d be a full day. With posters plastered all over town and some advance publicity from local and surrounding newspapers, she expected a good crowd.
She slipped into the kitchen, not surprised to find it dark and quiet. Her mother slept until at least nine o’clock most days, even though she was starting to come out of her winter hibernation. In the five weeks that Sara had been back home, living in Whitfield, they’d fallen into a routine with her and her dad up first, making coffee, and then taking turns helping her mother get ready for the day. That would be her dad’s job today.
After making some adjustments to her mother’s meds, they’d established that late morning was her peak time for energy level and attention span – and the best time to get her out of the house and engaged in regular activities. She’d participate in the ribbon-cutting, and then take the eleven o’clock shift at the library card sign-up table. She and Claire had been on the library board long before the tornado destroyed the facility, and she deserved to be part of today’s celebration.
Sara glanced out the kitchen window at the high pink clouds just beginning to glow in the morning sunrise. Daylight Saving Time meant mornings were a little later for now, but she didn’t mind. She welcomed the longer days and the arrival of spring. Giving up Dallas meant a longer wait for warm, sunny days. Still, she’d lucked out today. The forecast of sixty-three degrees would allow her to wear her gray “business” dress and black boots. There was no disguising seven months pregnant, but she’d look professional.
A light breeze greeted Sara when she hoisted herself out of her car across the street from the gleaming new Whitfield library. Considering it was March in Kansas, she appreciated the absence of gale-force winds.
Inside, she took a last look around the library to make sure all tables and stations were in place. Volunteers would begin arriving soon to set up drinks and snacks. Cookies and popcorn would be available all day. She’d snagged the old-fashioned popcorn machine from the VFW hall plus a couple of guys to run it. She wondered now if the smell of popcorn would forever permeate the books on the shelves. There could be worse problems, she supposed.
She lingered a bit in the children’s section, taking in the bright colors, computer stations and cozy reading nooks. Named the Andy Donovan Youth Center in memory of Kent’s son, Sara had no doubt it would be a huge hit. She already looked forward to the day when she and Heather would snuggle up with a book in one of the big window seats with pillows.
“Sara!”
She turned to see Kent striding toward her, a huge smile on his handsome face. “You ready for this? It’s going to be big. I can feel it.”
She returned the grin. He was like a little boy who’d just scored a winning touchdown. “I think you’re right. And I’m sure we’re all set to go.” She knew because she’d taken care of every detail. Checked and double-checked. “Really, Kent, the community is going to be blown away. It’s fabulous.”
“What do you say we get this party started?”
“I’m in.”
Near the main entrance, board members and community leaders were beginning to gather. “You enjoy,” Sara told Kent. “Call me if you need anything. I’m going to check–” The buzzing of her cell phone interrupted, and Sara gave a quick thumbs-up. “It’s the Paxton news station,” she whispered before moving aside. Adrenaline shot through her as she took the call. One thing she’d learned on this job was she enjoyed being the go-to person, seeing the whole picture rather than a small part of it. The news crew was setting up outside, getting ready for the ribbon-cutting.
Sara ended the call, but before she made it to the front doors, Claire stepped in front her. “Hey, you!” She wrapped Sara in a hug. “Wow, you look fabulous. Now, listen, don’t tire yourself out. We’ve got lots of volunteers.” She lowered her voice and added conspiratorially, “And a lot of people who do nothing but stand around who we could put to work.”
Sara patted Claire’s arm. That was another lesson from this project – how blurred the line between personal and professional relationships could be. In this case, she wanted to stand out in a professional manner. Still, she loved Claire and the rest of her mother’s friends and couldn’t help but smile. “Don’t worry. I’m fine.”
Just before ten o’clock, Sara located the photographer she’d hired to document the event, and they shuffled outside along with everyone else. News crews and a crowd she estimated at more than a hundred people milled around the entrance. Sara stopped to make sure the scissors for the cutting were in place, and that the mayor’s lapel microphone was turned on. Then she stepped back and let the board members take their places. Her mother moved to the entrance with her chunky cane and Claire for support. Sara hoped her mother could stand for the duration of the short ceremony.
Movement on the other side of the line-up caught her eye. Her heart flip-flopped as Evan slipped through the people to stand beside his mother. She quickly looked away as questions hammered her. What was he doing here? Surely, he didn’t come to Whitfield just to support his mother’s new husband’s pet project. No doubt Evan knew she’d be here. Did he come to see her? With blood pounding in her ears, she barely registered Kent stepping forward, and had no idea what he’d said before he announced her name. Her head snapped around, and the crowd began to clap.
“Couldn’t have pulled off today’s event without her.”
Oh. A public thank-you had not been on the agenda. Nor was it expected. She belatedly thought to smile at the audience. Almost against her will, she glanced Evan’s direction. For a second, her smile faltered – until her eyes met his, and she realized they held…pride? Admiration? Heat washed over her, and relief almost buckled her knees. But what was he thinking? To show up here in a public place in front of curious eyes, where both of their mothers were in attendance? Not to mention that she was on the clock and would be all day.
Maybe he felt a public meeting would take some of the intimacy out of the situation. Or, he could simply be satisfying some curiosity. One thing he would see front-and-center was her protruding abdomen. Several locals had commented on her pregnancy in the last few days, and she accepted congratulations, engaged politely, but gave away no personal information. Today, all conversations would be redirected to the new library. There was no way she’d have time for any real discussion with Evan. Maybe that was best.
Her eyes were drawn his direction again, and she acknowledged that she wouldn’t mind resting her head against his solid chest for a moment, or feeling his strong hands knead her shoulders. At the end of the day, that’d be heaven. Her daydream came to an abrupt end when she realized Dana was sending her what seemed to be an encouraging smile. Had Dana known Evan was coming? More importantly, had she influenced his decision? Sara had warned her mother weeks ago that she was to be Switzerland – neutral territory with silent opinions. Or none at all. She’d prefer the same from Dana.
Sara glanced at her watch, and turned her attention back to Pamela Sharp, mayor of Whitfield. If the woman stuck to her script, they’d all be inside soon, and scattered throughout the library. Finally, Pamela lifted the scissors for all to see, and then sliced the wide red ribbon in half. As the doors opened, and people filtered in, Sara was thrilled to see the news reporter who’d been standing next to her make a beeline for the mayor. Interviews and airtime would be tallied and added to her event report – and her portfolio.
She’d already picked up another job from the connection she’d made with a designer in Paxton. And she had an appointment next week with the director of the community center. Over time, she might be able to eek out a living doing what she enjoyed even in Whitfield. For now, this is where she needed to be. Where her head needed to be, too, but that didn’t keep her from scanning the area for a certain familiar face a few minutes later. Just knowing Evan was in town was a huge distraction.
She handed the reporter her business card and then headed inside to make sure everything was off to a smooth start. From the library card sign-up station in the foyer, her mother waved frantically.
“Hey, Mom, how’s it going?” she asked in the most neutral voice she could muster.
“Busy,” she said. Standing, she moved close to Sara, and whispered, “Sarie, did you see Evan’s here?”
As if she could miss the fact.
“I did, Mom. How are you holding up?”
“Hanging in there for now. Did you talk to him?”
“No. I don’t have time. Does anyone have questions out here? No technical issues, I hope?” Their conversation was like a game of ping-pong.
“No. Everything’s fine. Evan stopped–”
“Mom…” Sara gave the warning tone.
“All right, all right. I’m so proud of you. I always knew you were talented, but this is outstanding, sweetie. You’re really good at this.”
“Thanks. Let me know if you need anything.” Sara turned away before her mother could switch topics again.
For an hour, she wandered the premises, touching base with volunteers and Marcia Hurst, the head librarian – and keeping one eye on high alert. After confirming there were no fires to put out, and no sign of Evan, Sara made her way to the break room, wondering if he’d actually left without speaking to her. Sure, there was a good crowd, but the building was certainly not big enough for him to get lost in. Why come just to avoid her?
She sat for a moment, nearly inhaling the protein bar and small carton of milk she’d stashed in the refrigerator. Lingering would only give her mind more time to wander and stew. When her cell phone buzzed, she stood quickly, ready to get back to work. But a glance at the device stopped her. Evan had sent a text message. Holding her breath, she opened it. Nice job, he’d written.
Nice job? Well, that was personal and heartfelt. She groaned inside. With a shake of her head, she tossed the milk carton in the trash and practically marched to the far corner of the building – the quietest area – where authors were doing readings. She’d have to respond to his text, but it would have to wait. She had no idea what to say. He hadn’t exactly done a ghost-out on her, but their communication had become polite and distant.
Sara slipped behind a group of people listening to the author from Paxton. Leaning against a bar-height bookcase, she unzipped a boot and wiggled her aching foot, almost sighing out loud. A few minutes later, a different kind of tension filled her as she felt a presence behind her. Slowly she turned, and Evan slid a book toward her.
“This is a good one,” he said, his voice low and close beside her.
Sara looked at the title and caught her breath. “In a World of Crazy, Be the Love.” What was that supposed to mean? Her world had turned crazy, for sure. But the rest of that… Be the Love?
“You’ve read that book?” Finally, she found her voice and glanced up.
Nodding, he shoved his hands into his pockets. “I have. A gal at work was reading it. Said it was helping her through a rough time with her daughter.”
Sara frowned, unsure what point he was trying to make. It was hard to think at all with him so close. She stared at the book for a long moment while questions jumbled her brain like a tangled mass of wires about to short circuit. Was he sending her a message? Could he want to be part of her life again? She wiped clammy hands against her dress then met his eyes.
The tender sincerity there sent a surge of hope rushing through her. She gripped the bookcase hard.
“There’s a chapter about the rewards of unselfish love,” he continued. “Loving someone without thinking about what you’d get out of it yourself.” He looked behind her, and paused, as if deliberating his words. Then deep blue eyes rested on hers again. “I read that chapter three times. And knew I had to be here today.”
She held his gaze. “Why?”
A hint of a smile turned his lips, and he caught her free hand. “What time are you done here?”
Her heart pounded, and she fought to keep her voice steady. “It’s over at four, so I should be done by four-thirty probably.”
He cocked his head. “Can we talk?”
Tongue-tied again, all she could do was nod.
“I’ll pick you up.”
* * *
Sara leaned against the door and watched the last volunteers load the popcorn machine into a waiting van. She glanced at her watch. Evan could already be on his way, but her leggings and sweater called to her. Wherever they ended up for their “talk,” she’d be more comfortable in a change of clothes. She said a quick good-bye to Marcia, who’d lock the place up, then headed for her car. Inside, Sara pulled out her phone and sent Evan a text to meet her at home instead.
In a lucky break, she discovered her mother was napping. Still, she’d have to let her dad know she was going out. Maybe she could avoid any details, though. Not that she had many. Where would they go? On a Saturday evening all the bars and restaurants – public places – would be full. Their other options, their parents’ houses, offered no privacy, either. It was as if they were back in high school, with no places of their own. Nowhere to get away from curious, prying eyes and ears.
When she heard Evan’s car pull into the drive, Sara reached for her purse and jacket.
“Hey, Dad, I’m going out.”
“Celebrating the big event?” he asked.
Not exactly, Sara thought, though she admitted the positive vibes she’d picked up made her feel optimistic. Maybe celebrating something. She smiled. “Probably won’t be around for dinner. You two okay on your own?”
“I think we’ll manage. Have fun, Sunshine.”
She dashed to the door before Evan could get there.
He greeted her and opened the car door.
She managed a breathless, “hi,” and climbed inside. “Where to?” she asked when he slid into the driver’s seat.
“It’s still early enough I was thinking we could get one of the corner booths at Bailey’s.”
That might work. Bailey’s would be busy and noisy, but if they got a table in the back corner, they’d be away from the main crowd. “Sure. Let’s try it.”
Inside, most people were lingering at the bar. A few people glanced their direction, and Sara couldn’t help wondering if Evan would feel uncomfortable under their gaze. Would people speculate she was pregnant with his child? And would it matter? Though he’d silently conveyed support and encouragement, nerves fluttered in her stomach. She needed to hear what he had to say.
“Did you get lunch?” he asked when they were seated.
“Not really. I mostly snacked.”
“Let’s order food then.”
First things, first, she supposed. Sara ordered house chips and a turkey Panini, though nothing sounded particularly good. She took a sip of the water their waiter had left, then lifted her eyes to Evan’s.
Hands folded, he leaned forward. “So, here’s the deal.”
Watching him, she held her breath and waited.
“I miss you.”
Tears flooded her eyes, and she swiped at her cheeks. Smiling, she nodded, too emotional to speak. She chalked up the emotional outburst to being pregnant. Or nerves. He’d had her on edge all day. Plus, she’d been on her feet and hadn’t eaten a real meal. The combination of those things hit harder than she expected. The next thing she knew, Evan was beside her. He offered his napkin and pulled her into his arms.
Yeah, she’s missed this. Missed his smooth, sexy voice and his soothing serious voice. Missed his late-night calls and the feel of his arms around her. That they held her now mattered more than she’d even realized. To bear the disappointment, she’d told herself she had to accept his withdrawal, that it was only natural. But the truth was, she wanted him in her life.
Sniffling, she pulled back and took a deep breath. “I miss you, too.”
That familiar slow, boyish grin spread across his face. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
Somewhere between laughing and crying, she let her head fall against his arm.
He kissed the top of her head. “I’ve been tracking you, you know.”
“What?”
“I knew all about today. I can’t have a five-second conversation with Kent or my mom without them mentioning your name. Singing your praises. I know you’ve run into Mom and Chase around town. Seems like I know when you’ve been to the grocery store or the bank, or post office.”
Sitting up, Sara shook her head. “Wow. Stalker much? Like big brother watching me.”
With a sudden light in his eyes, Evan shook his head. “Not quite,” he said just before his lips met hers. The long, slow kiss left her feeling drugged. And warm. And happy.
He pushed the hair back from her face, and gently twisted a strand around his finger. “Can we start over?”