Kayla deposited her design ideas, sketched out, typed and printed, on the counter of Trista’s salon. Hands on her hips, she scanned the interior, then forced a smile at Drake. “Sounds like we’re on the same page.” She tried to focus on their meeting, but her mind kept drifting to Noah.
The man she loved. The man she’d hurt deeply.
What choice had she had? She couldn’t sacrifice those kids, no matter how strong her feelings for Noah.
Trista beamed. “This is going to be so awesome! When can you start?”
“I can pick the paint colors and start finding the accent pieces this afternoon.”
“Awesome.” Trista turned to Drake. “What about you?”
“Same. I don’t have a whole lot going on.”
“Perfect.” Trista shook Drake’s hand, gave Kayla a hug, then walked them to the door.
Drake left with a wave.
Kayla moved to follow then stopped and turned back around. “I’m glad we’re doing this. I’m looking forward to spending more time with you.” That statement couldn’t be more true. She’d really enjoyed reconnecting with her childhood friend. She’d miss Trista once she left. And Noah. Man, would she miss Noah. “But I’d better get going if I want to get this place snazzed up before I leave.”
Trista frowned. “Don’t like hearing that. And don’t think we’re going to let you run off that fast.” She crossed her arms. “A handful of Trinity Faith ladies are interested in kitchen and bathroom remodels. Plus, Faith and Drake are having a baby.”
“Seriously?”
Trista nodded. “Pretty sure they’ll want help getting their nursery all set up by our very own interior designer.”
Kayla laughed. “Girl, if I’m not careful, you’ll have me scheduled from here till next spring.”
“That’s the plan.”
Still smiling, Kayla shook her head and walked to her car. She paused to watch an older couple walking past, hand in hand. An image of her and Noah, some thirty years from now, flashed through her mind.
She shook away the thought. A brisk breeze swept over her, whipping her hair around her face, filling her nose with a myriad of smells drifting from the storefronts—baked goods, scented candles, fresh-brewed coffee.
Ah, coffee.
She stopped into the Literary Sweet Spot for her latte fix of the day, chatted briefly with Leslie regarding renovations she wanted to make, then spent the rest of the afternoon popping in and out of Sage Creek boutiques and antiques stores.
She paused outside the bakery, closed her eyes and inhaled, remembering a long-ago Christmas when her mom took her and Christy shopping. Old-time carols had played in every store they’d entered, and the scents of cinnamon, candles and hot cocoa filled the air. The way their mother laughed as they jokingly suggested outlandish gifts for their dad.
She’d given both of them ten dollars to spend. Kayla bought him a wallet, which he’d pretended was the best he’d seen. Christy gave him a tie and matching socks. She shook aside the memory, wishing she could do the same to the heaviness in her heart.
At 6:00 p.m., trunk loaded with various adornments for Trista’s salon along with store-bought baked goods, she headed for the church for the monthly Last Sunday Dinner. Decades ago, Trinity Faith’s founding pastor had started the meal as a way to care for the town’s poor, and the tradition stuck.
As usual, Noah had beat her there and was standing near the dessert table, talking with a couple of men. Timber was balanced on his hip, munching on a cookie with red frosting that stained his mouth, the tip of his nose and his chubby little cheeks. Cradling Sophia, his mom sat sandwiched between Lucy and Drake’s grandmother.
Noah caught a glimpse of her, and the way his face and eyes lit up warmed her from her toes.
Boy, did she love him.
Could she stay? She’d still want to get the kids away from Helping Hands and all the rough and angry men streaming in and out. Would Noah hate her for that? If she fought for custody? Would it turn ugly?
Would she lose him?
“Can you excuse me, fellas?” Noah set down Timber next to his mom. “Think you can keep an eye on little man for a minute?”
“Would love to.” She placed her free arm around Timber’s back, nudged him closer and kissed his neck. “Might even have an extra cookie with his name on it.”
Noah grinned. “Leave it to Grandma to get the boy all sugared up.”
He wove through the crowd of people, standing in twos and threes, to Kayla.
Her eyes searched his. “Hi.”
“Hey. Can we talk?”
She nodded and stood. “Sure.”
“Care to go for a walk?”
“Okay.”
With a hand to the small of her back, he guided her back through the living room and outside.
Dusk had fallen, and the lantern-shaped streetlights glowed against an inky backdrop and reflected on the stained-glass windows. The gravel road stretched ahead of them, flanked by trees that separated the church property from nearby houses.
He cast her a sideways glance. “I’ve been giving what you’ve said, your concerns, a lot of thought.”
“Okay.”
“You’re right. Those kids don’t need to be living so close to a place where former addicts and convicts are hanging around. But I have a solution.”
Reaching the end of the road, they turned onto B Street, with its old trees, well-manicured yards and brick or paneled houses. Lights glowed in almost all of the windows.
He began mentally rehearsing his words, but they just jumbled in his head, making him more nervous.
“I’m listening,” she said.
“I’m moving. Into town.” He told her about the house.
Her eyes widened. “Wow. That’s wonderful.”
“But that’s not all. I bought you a little...gift.”
“A gift? What for?”
He pulled a velvet box from his pocket, popped it open to reveal a wedding ring made of white gold with a single diamond glistening beneath the streetlight. “I want you to stay. With me and the kids.”
Tears pooled behind her lashes. “What are you saying?”
He took her hand in his and gazed at the most beautiful woman in all of Texas. “Kayla Fisher, you are one of the smartest, kindest, most stubborn and tenderhearted women I’ve ever met. I never thought I could love a person as much as I do you. I’d be a fool to let you go.” He slipped the ring on her finger, her soft, delicate hand trembling in his. “Will you marry me?”
She gasped and brought a hand to her mouth. “Oh, Noah. I love you.”
He stood. “Is that a yes?”
“That’s a yes.” She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.
Tears stung his eyes as the reality of all that had happened hit his heart with full force. And just like that, he was a family man. God had given him the kids and the girl.
Thanking Him didn’t seem nearly sufficient.