His eyes narrowed. “But what about your daughter? Doesn’t she need you now?”
“Let’s just say I decided it was time for both my kids to learn to take responsibility for their own lives.” She didn’t really want to get into all the details with him and how foolish she’d been to actually believe her children needed her. They didn’t needher,they just needed someone to do the work.
“Oh. I guess Beverly was happy.”
She stared at him. That was his reaction? ThatBeverlywas pleased?
“I thought maybe we…” She cleared her throat. “Do you think we could pick up where we left off? We could, uh… see each other again?”
“If you’re staying in town, I’m sure we’ll see each other. Hard to avoid people on the island.”
Was he being deliberately obtuse? “No, I meant… could we… date?” This wasn’t working out like she’d planned.
His face hardened, and he clenched his jaw. “I don’t think that would be such a good idea. I’m glad you’re staying on the island, if that’s what makes you happy. But I don’t think we should start things up again.”
Disappointment surged through her. But could she blame him? She’d called it quits when she decided to move away. He’d been hurt. She saw it in his eyes. Why would he trust her now?
“Are you sure? We could take things slow. See how they work out.” She searched his face but saw no sign of him softening his resolve.
“I think it’s best if we didn’t.”
“I guess our joint project on the coastal furniture is scrapped too?”
“I don’t think a joint venture like that is a good idea anymore, either. You might change your mind after the baby is born and want to move.”
“That’s not happening. I’m staying.”
He nodded but didn’t look like he believed her.
“I’m sorry I hurt you. I didn’t mean to. I was just trying to do the right thing, and everything got all messed up.”
He just stood there looking at her, not saying a word.
“Okay, well… good night then.” She backed away.
“Good night.” He closed the door as she stood there.
She slowly turned around and walked back to her cottage, her heart breaking into a million little pieces. She’d had a chance with a really great guy. One she let herself have feelings for. But she ruined her chances.
She walked into her cottage, her footsteps echoing from the wooden boards and ricocheting around the empty room. She walked over and sank onto the couch. The emotions of the day overwhelmed her. From hearing her children talk about her and realizing they would never appreciate her or respect her to this conversation with Dale. And knowing he didn’t trust her anymore. Didn’t want to date her. Or even work with her. She closed her eyes to hold back her tears.
How was she going to stay in Magnolia and run into him all the time? She lived in his backyard, for Pete’s sake. Maybe she’d find another place to move into here on the island. Farther away from Dale. That might help.
But it wouldn’t help her broken heart. The heart that had leapt at a chance with Dale. And fluttered when she saw him. A man she could talk to and be herself around. Who didn’t try to control her.
An overwhelming sense of loss swept over her, drowning her in the what-ifs. But she couldn’t change what happened. She’d just have to take this curve life threw at her and move on. Like she had when Victor left her. She knew how to start over. And she would. She’d make a nice life for herself here in Magnolia.
A life that didn’t include Dale.
CHAPTER26
Maxine and Beverly sat sipping coffee the next afternoon after closing Coastal Coffee. “So you told Dale you were staying?” Beverly asked. “And it made no difference to him?”
“He won’t take a chance with me. He doesn’t want anything to do with me. I guess I need to find a place to move to here on the island. He certainly doesn’t want me living in his backyard.”
“You could move into the apartment over the cafe if you want. We’d have to clear it out.”
“That’s probably a good idea.” Though she loved her little cottage and would miss it. She’d made it into a place that felt like home.
