But when minutes passed with no Scott, I found myself actually… missing him. The chapel doors opened, and instead of him, the minister stepped out, fumbling with his keys. Wait, where was he? I straightened back up, craning my neck as I scanned the rows of headstones. Maybe he was out there, wandering the graves. Or, more likely, he was leaning against Elmer Guck’s tombstone smoking a joint.
Exiting my car, I went in search of my wayward rocker. Gravel crunched under my sandals as I wove between markers. Then, faintly, a sound that didn’t belong: soft laughter.
There he was.
Not brooding. Not smoking. Not even alone. Scott was kneeling in the grass surrounded by headstones, sunlight slanting across his shoulders. Walking around him with flowers in both hands was a chubby-cheeked toddler, giggling as Scott tried to wrestle them away.
“I give up,” he said, falling onto his back and laughing. “Keep them.”
My breath hitched. Scott had that effect on me, both calming and thrilling. I announced myself with a heavy step. He turned, jaw slack, then shot upright in one abrupt motion.
“Michelle?”
“I… sorry… I didn’t mean to—”
The baby turned toward my voice, flashing an infectious smile that took me by surprise. The familiarity was immediate, unmistakably Scott.
“You’re a father?”
Scott didn’t answer, instead catching the baby as he tried to run past. “Gotcha, you little brat.” He lifted the boy in the air before dropping him back down to attack his neck in kisses. Both were laughing. Only after he’d settled the baby in his lap did Scott address my question.
“Remember when I warned you wouldn’t want me? Well, here is exhibit A.”
“Are you…? Is he…?” Words failed me.
“Yes. He’s mine. Got his mother pregnant in high school.”
“Are you still—”
“Nope.” His voice was clipped. “We’re not together. Haven’t been since high school.”
I ran out of fragmented questions and just stood there.
“What are you doing here?” he asked. “How’d you find me?”
“I went to the resort this morning to return your vest.” Itugged on the fabric for proof. “But you weren’t there. Then I found this note in your pocket.”
He smiled. “Well, look at you. A real-life Nancy Drew.”
I shrugged modestly and closed the distance between us. “I’m clever like that.”
“Well, you found me. And my offspring. Bet you weren’t expecting that.”
No, he was right, it was an unexpected turn of events, but not out of character for Scott, who’d done nothing but blow my mind since the moment we met.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“About the kid?” he said. “I was trying to sleep with you. Felt counterproductive.”
I blinked. At least he was honest.
He motioned with his fingers. “Hand it over.”
I slipped off the vest and gave it to him.
He turned it over. “Did you remove the jewels?”
“I did.”
