That’swhat Bianca saw—the octogenarian cardio queen power-walking in a fur hat that could camouflage a moose.
Well, at least Bianca had been legitimately terrified. She wasn’t losing a pregnancy.
She’d simply been given a great excuse to run straight into Marshall’s cabin—and arms.
“Now, you get yourself home, Gracie,” Bertie said with authority. “It’s Christmas morning and you have a young child.”
She was right. Adrenaline dumping hard, Gracie said goodbye and headed toward the main lodge road, needing to get out of the woods. She didn’t want to pass Cabin Two again—but it was much faster and safer that way. The curved path forced her right past the front porch…where light spilled from the open doorway.
He’d left the door open—that was encouraging. He would risk freezing rather than be alone with Bianca.
Voices drifted into the night, both strained, then she spotted their silhouettes in the doorway.
Gracie moved carefully behind a clump of shrubs and pines, hidden in shadow again. How many times had she reprimanded Benny for eavesdropping on conversations?
Many. At least he came by it honestly, since she had no intention ofnotlistening to this.
She stayed perfectly still and narrowed her eyes to concentrate on hearing the words that floated through the chilly night. Whatever they were saying, she was invested enough in Marshall that she had to know. Shehadto.
Bianca stood in the open doorway, arms folded tight across her chest, her breath fogging in angry bursts.
Marshall stood just inside, still barefoot but he’d pulled on a sweatshirt. Even from here, he looked braced, his shoulders tense.
“…just hear me out,” Bianca pleaded. “I know I made mistakes. I know I wasn’t perfect. I know I—I messed things up. But things can be different now.”
Marshall exhaled, patient but wary. “Bianca…”
“No, Marshall, please.” She stepped closer, sounding desperate. “Olivia deserves both her parents under the same roof. Don’t you think she does? Don’t you think she misses that? Don’t you think sheneedsthat?”
Gracie’s heart twisted painfully. Playing the Olivia card was just not fair. Everyone knew that child was Marshall’s weakness. He’d do anything to protect and love her.
“I love you, Marsh,” she continued, undaunted by Marshall’s lack of response. Or maybe encouraged by it—he wasn’t telling hernoorplease leaveorwe shouldn’t even be talking.
He just stood, strong and stone silent.
Gracie dug deep into her soul and tried to decide how to feel about that. Trusting. She wanted to trust him. If she was ready to fall in love with the guy, she had to trust him. Starting right this minute.
“I never stopped loving you!” Bianca wailed. “The divorce was a huge mistake. My choices were…can we just say it? Stupid! Foolish! Doesn’t everyone deserve a second chance? Especiallythe mother of your daughter! The woman you swore to honor and cherish till death do we part?”
But she’d cheated on him!
Gracie bit back her response, blood pumping as hard as it had when she thought Bigfoot was on her tail.
“I’m so serious, Marshall. I’m yours. I love you. I’ll never hurt you again.” The sincerity and crack in her voice—fake or not—was powerful. Bianca rarely sounded vulnerable, but she did now. “I will even go to church with you, Marsh! Like you always asked. I will. I promise!”
Whoa, she was pulling out all the stops now. And how would he react?
A long moment passed and Gracie held her breath.
“Bianca.” Marshall stepped all the way outside, easing Bianca further out onto the porch. “Listen to me.” His voice was quiet, steady, and just forceful enough that Gracie could listen, too.
“What, honey? Anything.”
“Nothing you say or do will change my mind,” he said. “You are Olivia’s biological mother, and, for that reason, you will be in the outer space of my life as long as she is, which will be forever.”
“Outer space?” Bianca choked. “What does that mean?”
“That means I don’t want you close to me.”
