“That’s perfect, thanks.”
They sipped in silence for a few minutes, serenaded by the crackling logs and soothing cadence of croaking bullfrogs.
“This is a nice setup. It’s peaceful.” Her body relaxed into the chair, and she leaned her head back, gazing up at the glittering assembly of stars scattered across a black canopy striped with deep violet hues.
“It’s not much, but it’s what I needed. To be immersed in nature, to see the stars.” He reclined, following her gaze toward the heavens. “It’s funny what you suddenly miss when you no longer have access to it. I never gave constellations much thought before prison, but now I can name and find most of them.”
“I’m jealous. They’re beautiful, in concept. But I can barely find the Big Dipper.”
“It’s not hard when you know what you’re looking for.” He set his mug on one of the flatter stones circling the firepit. “Come on. I’ll show you.” Leading her several feet away from the glowing flames, he stopped by the river’s edge. A bullfrog splashed into the water, creating a wake of moonlit ripples. “Let’s start with Ursa Major, the largest constellation you can see in the northern hemisphere. It looks like a bear, and the Big Dipper makes up the bear’s back and tail, so we can start there.”
“Okay…” she said slowly, not sounding convinced. After squinting at the sky for several seconds, she pointed toward a formation of stars resembling a bowl and handle. “That’s the Big Dipper, right?”
He took a step closer, until they stood shoulder to shoulder, and followed the tip of her finger. “Yep. That’s it. Now, trace from the bottom of the bowl down, and you’ll make out the bear’s back legs. See?”
“No.” She frowned. “It just looks like a bunch of tiny dots to me.”
“Here.” Shifting to stand behind her, he reached for her hand to help guide her finger but froze the second his skin touched hers. An unexpected surge of adrenaline raced up his arm, sending his pulse into overdrive. He swallowed.Get it together.“Start here, then connect the dots.”
She tilted her head back slightly, and her hair brushed his chin. Her soft, silky hair that smelled like mint and sweet basil.Focus. “The hind legs are made up of four stars. Tania Borealis, Tania Australis, Alula Borealis, and Alula Australis.” He recited the scientific names, hoping to distract himself with something cerebral and technical, since her nearness had his thoughts whirling in other directions. “See it now?”
“I think so.” Her voice rose with excitement. “That’s the head. And the front leg is there, right?”
“Right.”
“I can’t believe I found it!” She flashed a grateful smile over her shoulder. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” The words escaped on autopilot. He couldn’t focus on anything other than the close proximity of her mouth to his. Her lips looked full and soft, and for a fleeting moment, he wondered what they’d taste like. The thought startled him. He hadn’t even considered kissing another woman since his wife. After her death, he’d resigned himself to a life alone, the life he deserved. So why did he find his head tilting downward and his body leaning, inching closer?
Donna met his gaze, her eyes wide and wary, but she didn’t back away.
Somehow, his hand found her waist, but before he could draw her into his arms, a twig snapped.
His head jerked toward the sound, and his heart lurched.
The shocked features illuminated by moonlight belonged to his son.
CHAPTER14
CASSIE
As Cassie approached the Sterling Rose Estate, she rolled down her driver’s-side window, inhaling the sweet, ambrosial scent carried on the breeze. To her right, fragrant apple blossoms stretched on for miles, while on her left, rows of vibrant blooms in every shape and color imaginable created a rainbow on earth.
Visiting the flower farm and event venue always had a knack for settling her nerves, as if the fresh, floral air had healing properties. Her thoughts kept tumbling between the festival and the fate of the library, all the uncertainty surrounding their rapidly changing lives, and the strange behavior of her mother that morning.
Her mom had arrived at the café a few minutes late, and her eyes were dry and bloodshot as if she’d lain awake all night crying. Or worse. Cassie hated that her mind still jumped to alcohol, but some habits were hard to break. Like drinking.
When she’d asked her mother if she was all right, she’d been assured that everything was fine. She’d even managed a smile to assuage her concerns. And yet, Cassie couldn’t shake the feeling that something had happened last night. Something her mother didn’t want her to know about. Was it possible that while she’d been celebrating with friends, rejoicing over the new life growing inside her, her mother had returned to her old ways?
Battling her mounting worries, she breathed deeply, winding along the gravel road until she reached the end and parked her Prius by a potted conifer. A stunning Victorian-era greenhouse rose up before her, its glittering glass windows framed by oxidized iron, the green hue an unexpected and arresting sight against the pale blue sky.
Her spirits lifted at the pleasant sound of laughter, and she followed it around the back of the greenhouse. She paused, smiling at the adorable vignette.
Olivia Parker knelt before a row of bright red ranunculus, laughing as her fiancé, Reed—who already bore a muddy stripe across his forehead—wiped a smudge of dirt on her cheek. Not to be outdone, Olivia scooped a handful of loose soil and smeared it across the front of his white T-shirt. In turn, Reed playfully tackled her to the ground, tickling her mercilessly while Olivia swatted him with her wide-brimmed sun hat.
Cassie covered her mouth, stifling a laugh. Although they’d been dating for less than a year, she admired the couple’s sure-footed yet fun and playful relationship, which had been built on a lifetime of friendship. And the fact that Reed Hollis—a sweet, sentimental soul with an uncanny affinity for flowers—had pined for Olivia since his youth, and helped repair her broken heart after a painful divorce, made their story all the more beautiful.
Olivia managed to wriggle free and sprang to her feet. Spotting Cassie, she shouted breathlessly, “Quick! Pass me the hose!”
