The whisk in Zac’s hands stilled. “Sure.”
“How has it changed your life?”
Zac stared into the half-beaten eggs. “It’s made me more careful about where I go and who I spend time with.” He left the whisk on the counter and held her hand. “When I heard the engine of David’s car, my heart raced as if I’d run a marathon. Loud, unexpected noises are the worst. I get flashbacks, cold sweats, and sometimes shake so much that I need to sit down.”
“Is there anything you can do to make it better?”
“I’ve tried counseling, meditation, acupuncture, and drugs. Mom even sent me a healing stone, hoping it would help.”
“Did it?”
Zac shook his head. “I wish it had.”
“How have you felt over the last couple of weeks?”
“A lot calmer. Sapphire Bay is good for me.”
“Does that surprise you?”
Zac tilted his head to the side, staring into her eyes as if she held the key to his happiness. “It surprises me less than realizing I’ve fallen in love with you.”
With her fingertips she traced the deep grooves on either side of his mouth. “I didn’t expect to fall in love with anyone, either. I nearly adopted a cat.”
Zac’s lips twitched. “Was I worth the sacrifice?”
“Definitely. But I can’t guarantee I’ll never have a kitten racing around my cottage.”
“What about a dog? They’re more intelligent than cats.”
Willow’s eyebrows rose. “I don’t think so. Cats like cuddling on your lap. They follow you around the house and wait for you to come home. What more could you want?”
“A dog follows your directions. He can go running with you and—”
The sound of an engine cut across the front yard.
Willow froze. “Do you think David has come back?”
“I don’t know.” Zac held her hand as they walked toward the front door.
As soon as she saw the truck, Willow breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s not David. It’s Ryan Evans. Why on earth would he be here so early?”
“Is he the singer you told me about?”
Willow nodded. “He isn’t supposed to be here until Tuesday. Even that’s earlier than he’d normally arrive for a concert.”
“For someone who doesn’t want to be part of the music industry, you’re doing a lot of singing.”
“The concerts on Friday and Saturday night are special. The money we raise will change a lot of people’s lives. You’ll like Ryan. He’s different from most musicians.”
Ryan had moved to Montana to escape the same craziness that drove Willow out of Nashville. He’d met Sophie, his wife, not long after he’d finished building his new home. And now, more than five years later, they were the proud parents of three young children.
She smiled at the dark-haired man climbing out of the truck. “It’s good to see you, Ryan.”
“You, too.” He wrapped her in a warm hug, then held out his hand to Zac. “I’m Ryan Evans.”
“Zac Hilary.”
Ryan’s blue eyes crinkled at the corners. “I hope I’m not too early. The boys woke us at five-thirty this morning.”
