21

Richard was here in Rainbow Falls. Waiting for her in Ruby’s diner.

The shock of his text message reverberated through Chloe as she drove into town. He’d texted that if she didn’t meet him within the hour, he’d go to see Nick and Lily. How had he even remembered her sister’s married name?

There was no way she’d let Richard talk to Nick. She had to handle this problem and get rid of him as soon as possible. Yet the thought of facing him made her hands tremble.

She parked a block away from the diner and paused to collect herself. Several deep breaths later, she got out of the car and walked toward Ruby’s. The door jangled as she entered the restaurant. The familiar scent of coffee and apple pie greeted her. For mid-afternoon on a Sunday, the place was unusually quiet. Only a couple of men sat at the counter.

Richard was seated at the farthest booth in the back.

Her heart thumped when he walked toward her.

“Hello, Chloe.” The deep rumble of his voice stirred long dormant memories.

Other than the lines bracketing his eyes and mouth, he looked as handsome as ever. Thin streaks of silver shone in his dark hair, a testament to the difficulties of recent months. Yet he appeared chic as always, wearing the trendiest of designer suits, accented by a striped silver and black tie.

“Hello, Richard.”

He bent to kiss her cheek, and then motioned for her to sit down. Once she settled on the bench, he took a seat across from her. “You look wonderful, sweetheart. Small town life must agree with you.”

She cringed at the endearment. “What are you doing here?”

He moved his cup and saucer to the side. “I needed to talk to you, but since you never answer my calls, I had to come to see you in person.”

A waitress appeared at her elbow. “Can I get you something?”

“No, thank you.” Heartburn and nausea clamped down on Chloe’s stomach.

“I’ll have a refill on my coffee, please.” Richard held out his cup. He thanked her and she moved away.

“I’m sorry about the baby,” Chloe said. “I imagine Denise was devastated.”

“Yes. She still is.”

“What about you, Richard?” She couldn’t keep the bitterness out of her voice.

“To be honest, I was relieved.”

She stiffened. How could he be relieved at the loss of his child?

He reached out and covered one of her cold hands. “It gave me the courage to finally leave Denise.”

She pulled her hand free. “You left her—right after this kind of tragedy?”

He looked confused. “I thought that’s what you wanted all along. You’ve been after me for months to leave her. If it hadn’t been for the pregnancy…”

She drew in a sharp breath and let it hiss out. “There never should have been a pregnancy, Richard. You swore you were staying married—in name only—for the sake of your children. You lied to me—again.”

“It only happened once, I swear. A big mistake one night when I’d being drinking. She seduced me, thinking it would get me back.”

At one time, Chloe would have been moved by his remorse, accepted his pitiful attempt at an explanation, and forgiven him. “I don’t believe you. And even if I did, drinking is no excuse.”

He hung his head, fingers twirling the cup on its saucer. “You’re right. I’m sorry I gave in to such weakness. Sorry I hurt you. But you have to believe me now. My marriage is over. I’ve filed for divorce and Denise says she won’t contest it.” He paused and raised tortured eyes to hers. “I love you, Chloe, and I want to marry you.”

****

Aidan pulled up in front of Ruby’s Diner and shut off the engine. He’d followed Chloe into town and found her car parked near the restaurant.

Through the window, Aidan saw Chloe sitting across from an older, distinguished-looking man. Judging by her frown, she didn’t seem to be enjoying the conversation. Did this guy have something to do with her bakery? A contractor or inspector? If so, Aidan had never seen him before. A sudden thought jolted him. Could this be Chloe’s ex?

Aidan took the keys out of the ignition and stopped short of storming into the restaurant. He had no right to interfere in her life.

Chloe seemed engrossed in their dialogue, gesturing with her hands. After a few minutes, she leapt to her feet.

At the look of devastation on her face, Aidan couldn’t hold back. He bolted from the car and strode into the diner, keeping his gaze trained on Chloe’s back.

“I can’t believe you would come here now and say that.”

The tears in her voice sparked an adrenaline surge through his system. His hands clenched into fists, ready to defend her if necessary.

The man, who had also risen, reached forward to snag Chloe’s hand. “Think about what I said. You can reach me at the Rainbow Falls Inn.” Without warning, the man pulled her toward him and locked his lips on her.

A stab of pure jealousy knifed through Aidan. He stepped forward, waiting for a sign to intervene. The thought that maybe Chloe welcomed this guy’s kiss caused another jab of pain.

Chloe pounded her fist on the man’s chest. He released her with a satisfied smile on his face, which Chloe promptly smacked. “Don’t ever touch me again.”

Relief eased the vise grip on Aidan’s insides, until the guy moved toward her, anger blazing in his eyes. Swift and silent, Aidan moved up beside her. “You heard her, buddy. Back off.” He didn’t dare look to see Chloe’s reaction. Instead he aimed a death stare at the jerk in front of him.

“Who the devil are you?”

“A friend. You’re not welcome here.” Chloe had an iron grip on Aidan’s arm, holding him back. He ignored the pressure and reduced the distance to his opponent. Wariness crept into the other man’s eyes. Aidan’s fingers bit into the palm of his hands, itching to land one good punch in the guy’s smug face.

“Aidan, don’t.” Chloe’s breathless voice barely penetrated his concentration.

He never took his eyes off the enemy. “Leave. Now. And don’t come back.”

A sneer spread across the man’s features. “So Chloe’s got herself a defender. Isn’t that sweet? Playing the victim again, I see. Maybe you should ask her how long she begged me to leave my wife before she finally gave up. She’s not as innocent as she looks.” He swung his hard gaze to Chloe. “Are you, sweetheart?”

Aidan surged forward, but Chloe held him back.

“Aidan. Don’t. Please.”

Why was she protecting this creep?

“I’ll be in touch, Chloe.” Richard calmly side-stepped Aidan, keeping just out of his reach, and walked out of the diner. Rage simmered through Aidan’s system, pulsing like a living being. He dragged in a huge breath, willing the loathing and anger to dissipate.

She’s not as innocent as she looks.

The words seared his brain like a brand. This is exactly what he’d feared all along. That she’d been hiding something about her relationship. Was this her secret? That she’d knowingly entered into an affair with a married man?

Huge amber eyes, flooded with tears, stared at him.

His heart cinched at the fear he saw reflected in their depths. Just walk away, an inner voice urged. It would be the easiest thing to do. But one way or the other, he had to know. “Is it true?” His voice sounded callous even to him.

Sorrow haunted her expression. The hand on his sleeve tightened, then fell away. Her chin quivered as she bit her bottom lip. The fact that she couldn’t answer his question spoke volumes. “I can explain,” she said at last.

Stones of disillusion weighed like lead in his stomach. “There’s nothing you can say to explain adultery. Breaking up a God-sanctioned union. Depriving children of their father…” He stepped away from the intoxicating scent of her, his lungs fighting for air. “How could you do that? To his wife? To those innocent kids? I knew you were hiding something, but I never dreamed it was something this bad.”

Her anguished sob barely registered.

“You should go after him, Chloe. You two deserve each other.”