She ignored the ache deep in her soul to connect with the man. A man who didn’t want her.
The small crowd flooded inside with cheers of delight and praises for a man who had opened his home to them.
Could this mean his heart opened to other things in his life? No, he made it clear he’d never marry her. Hoping to avoid seeing any more of Ed, she snuck downstairs and tucked Beth and her sisters into bed and then climbed the back stairs. But this time Ed was waiting for her at the landing.
“Please. We can’t avoid each other tomorrow, so let us speak now.” He looked broken, even more sad than when she’d met him. It drew her to him. She wanted to chase any worry from his life.
No, she couldn’t be alone with him, not when her emotions stirred so fast it clouded her thoughts. “I’m tired, and there’s still so much to do in the morning.” Her nerves shot up her spine.
“Yes, tomorrow is the day we’ve all been working for, and in case there isn’t time before the party, during, or after, I wanted to thank you for all you’ve done.”
“I only hope my efforts are enough, and despite you not wanting me to remain here after the party—”
“It’s not like that.” Ed took her hand, but she tugged it free.
“I’m not vex with you. I want to make you happy, to give you what you want most in life, even if it isn’t me. And to thank you.”
“For what?” he asked.
“Without our time together, I don’t think I would’ve figured out what love meant, but now I do. It means to sacrifice my own wishes for the other person.”
“What if you stayed?” Ed’s words hung in the air like morning fog. “Give me time. Perhaps I could—”
“No.” She slipped away from him, putting distance between them so she could cling to her resolve. “We want different things.”
“But I want you,” he said in a dangerously deep and deliciously desirable tone.
She fled to her room and shut the door on him, his offer, and her yearning for a man who could never be her husband.
ChapterEighteen
The house stirred with activity,filling it with the clank of dishes and clink of crystal. Ed had never thought the house would feel so alive, and he found it comforting instead of bothersome. He jumped in to finish last-minute details, while Cora remained upstairs, getting ready for the event.
Ghost worked alongside him securing the last of the lanterns strung from the ceiling. “It’s like we’ve entered another world.”
“Isn’t she amazing?”
Ghost laughed. “You gonna marry her or what?”
“No.”
“Why not? You love her.”
He couldn’t deny that any longer, but love only made things worse, not better.
“You know you're guaranteed to lose her tomorrow, or you could take a chance on keeping her forever. Yes, it’s a risk to love her, but risk is part of life.”
Ed climbed down the ladder and handed Ghost the hammer. “It’s not just Cora herself. Risk increases with each child.”
“Thought she said you could adopt.”
Ed’s fear fluttered and festered. “They can die, too.”
“If you don’t adopt them, they’ll die on the streets. And you didn’t choose to bring the child into the world. You could choose to help them so they have a better life, though.”
Ed hadn’t thought of it that way. But could he handle another loss? He’d been alone for so long, and it had worked until Cora entered his life.
They returned to the foyer to get ready to greet guests when Cora appeared at the top of the stairs in the most stunning gown. The dress didn’t reach her chin. It was low and alluring, her delicate arms on display along with all her curves.
