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Sarah awoke the next morning when Devon jumped up onto her bed, bouncing with excitement.
“Mom! Do you know what? Mom, wake up!”
She opened one eye then decided it was safe to open the other one. “What? Okay, I’m up.”
“Coach Harrison is here, and his dog too, and they’re downstairs right now, and he’s cooking something really good for breakfast. You gotta come see. Smell the bacon?”
She didn’t have to sniff, since it was already making her mouth water. “I do. Yum. Are you hungry? I sure am.” She grabbed him, and they wrestled as she tickled him under the chin while he giggled.
“But Dad is gone, I guess. I didn’t see him.” His happy face showed a flicker of concern. “At least we have bacon, though. Come on. Let’s go!”
Sarah figured if bacon trumped Jim, then Devon wasn’t going to be too upset that his father had disappeared again. She got up and pulled on a robe over her nightshirt then followed her hopping son down the stairs. He started running when he reached the ground floor and beat her into the kitchen.
Miki was already seated at the island, wearing Hello Kitty pajamas and chattering away with Blake. He stood in front of the stove, flipping what looked like latkes, pancakes made of shredded potato, on her cast-iron griddle. In his stocking feet and the sweatpants pulled from the gym bag he’d brought in from his truck last night, he looked right at home. His hair was fluffed up in the back, and he hadn’t shaved. Sarah thought he looked cute. She went over and hugged him, kissing his stubble. His eyes beamed a hello, and he motioned toward the coffeepot with his eyebrows while he scooped up latkes and put them on a baking sheet, which he slid into the oven. She glimpsed a plate of crispy bacon warming in there too.
“Okay, who wants eggs? Everybody? Sunny side up or over easy?” He took orders and started cracking eggshells.
Meanwhile Miki continued the apparently long story she’d been telling him about her studies. Devon lay down on the floor between Hershey and Kahlua, stroking them both at the same time. They didn’t seem to mind sharing.
Sarah took out plates and silverware then set them on the island near a basket of paper napkins. She poured herself a mug of coffee and watched while Blake expertly prepare the fried eggs, not breaking a single yolk.
Last night, he’d insisted on sleeping on the couch in the TV room. He’d called the police after she went up to shower, and the same two officers who had answered her call about the burglary were waiting in the kitchen to ask her some questions when she went downstairs. When they learned the details and Blake emailed the photo of Jim’s license plate to them, they’d called in an all-points bulletin, directing all units to watch for his car. Then they’d headed out to check the local motels, where he might have been staying, though they felt there was a better chance he would head straight south and be picked up by the state police in Connecticut.
“Don’t worry,” the woman officer had said, a determined look on her face. “We’ll have him in custody within twenty-four hours. But please, install that alarm system!”
“She will,” Blake said. “I’m taking care of it first thing in the morning. My buddy owns the company. And I won’t leave them alone here until it’s a done deal.”
Sarah had started to object then stopped and closed her mouth. Instead, she’d smiled at him and allowed herself to feel cherished and cared for.
Now, she watched as he served everyone, laughing along with Miki and teasing Devon about sprinkling dog hairs onto his food. They were all smiling and happy, even the dogs, who got to split one of the latkes. Sunshine streamed through the windows, and birds were singing outside. It was the most beautiful day Sarah could remember.
And to think that just last night, on her way home in the car, she’d experienced one of the lowest moments of her life. Amazing, how things could turn around so fast. All that was required, it seemed, was a sweet, honest man, a little faith, and the courage to believe her own eyes.
* * * * *
THAT EVENING, AFTER the security installation guys had finished, Blake took Sarah out for dinner, just the two of them. Paisley had offered her the night off and insisted on it after hearing what had happened.
“Now, I know it won’t be as good as your cousin’s cooking, but I’ve had some really good meals at this place,” Blake said as they got into his truck and headed west. He’d reserved a quiet corner table for them at a terrific Italian place in Northampton, a neighboring town known for its many restaurants.
Blake was right. The food was extraordinary. They held hands, drank excellent wine, and ate spaghetti Bolognese with the best Italian bread Sarah ever remembered tasting. The desserts were a little disappointing, though. They decided to save room for a treat back at Blake’s condo, where he’d stashed some of the double-chocolate ice cream left over from the wedding.
As they drove home through the star-sprinkled night, she looked at Blake, who was awfully quiet. “You okay?”
“I’m fine, just relaxing. It’s so nice to look over and see you there. I love you, Sarah.”
She felt the blush rising into her cheeks and was glad of the shadows hiding it. “Well,” she said, “let’s not talk about—”
He picked up her hand and kissed it. “I mean it. Please don’t ever be mad at me again! I’m a knucklehead, but I’m your knucklehead.”
She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I was just scared. But especially now, I can see how different you are from him. It was silly of me to be so nervous. I’m flattered that you went to all that trouble to court me, twice! I officially forgive you. You’re pretty terrific, Blake. I feel lucky.”
“Sarah?”
“Mmmm?” She scooted over on the bench seat and nuzzled him, loving his scent.
“Got a jar of the wedding fudge sauce for you at my place. And some great ideas for what to do with it. The recipe was invented in your honor, you know. I call it ‘Orgasmic Chocolate Fudge Sauce.’”
She looked at him in shock then grinned. “Well, then. What are we waiting for? Step on it!”
Sarah was looking forward to letting the chocolate have its way, releasing her inhibitions and enjoying its effects for a change. She suspected that from now on, she’d have a whole new attitude toward her sweet addiction.
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