“Mr. Broom’s gonna getcha!” She let him grab the bristles, then tugged it away again, laughing.
The dog bowed on his front legs, back end in the air, and barked.
Jonah’s heart twisted painfully. She didn’t remember the dog any more than she remembered being in love with Jonah. Yet she was obviously letting Graham in. She’d taken him back under her wing. She was playing with him, affectionate with him.
I’m jealous of a dog.
It was an all-new low. But seeing her guard down made him miss her so much. Whenever Jonah was near her, Lauren was present—but she wasn’t. The Lauren he’d fallen in love with was somewhere in there.But she wouldn’t drop her guard with him, and he didn’t know how to convince her to let him back in.
Before, he’d gradually won her over by spending time with her on the job. It had taken months for her to open up about her mom’s abandonment, her difficult childhood. But she wouldn’t even give him the time of day now. And she’d probably be horrified to realize all the private things he knew about her.
Had she seen the photos on her phone or read their texts? If she had, she’d surely see how happy they’d been together. Or would the images only make her grimace?
She must’ve heard his approach because her head snapped his way. And just like that her playful expression disappeared and her eyes grew guarded.
He battled disappointment and lifted his lips. “Morning. How are you feeling today?”
“Fine. Just catching up on some chores.”
He reached the deck and stopped to pet Graham, who’d come to greet him, his entire back end wagging. “Want some help? I need a break from studying.” Did that sound like the pathetic lie it was?
“Thanks, but I’ve got it.”
Lauren was nothing if not fiercely independent. That much hadn’t changed. “I thought I’d see if you wanted to go for a bike ride on the rail trail.”
“The rail trail?”
Right. She wouldn’t remember. “It’s an old railroad track they turned into a trail. It runs for twelve miles along lakes and pastures and through the woods. You used to like it. Used to drive me crazy, reading every single informational sign explaining the trail’s history.”
She didn’t return his wistful smile. She didn’t remember any of those moments they’d spent together or the laughter they’d once shared. Didn’t remember their first kiss at the gorge or the first time he’d professed his love.
Her gaze flickered to her cabin as she put a hand to her throat. “Um, thanks, but I’ve got a lot of chores to do today.”
He was the last person she wanted to spend her day off with. Message received. He pushed past the hopeless feeling welling up inside and dredged up another smile. “I should probably get some stuff done too. If you need anything, I’ll be around.”
“Okay, thanks.” She resumed sweeping.
He gave Graham a final pat and headed back toward the lodge, his steps weighted with despair. They were sixteen days past the accident and she obviously remembered nothing. He kept coming around, trying to show her he cared. But the door to her heart was closed to him. And locked. And boarded over.
She’d let Meg in a little. They’d gone to that bonfire together, had a coffee date last week on her day off. Even his mom and dad had made some headway in regaining her friendship. But she wanted nothing to do with Jonah.
Help me, God. I don’t know what else to do.How can I help her remember if she doesn’t want to? How can I win her back when she avoids me at every turn?
Could he find reasons for them to work together as he’d done early in her employment? He was afraid, given her current mental state, that she’d only feel pressured and close up like a clam. He couldn’t help but feel there was only one solution and it was out of his control.
Please let her remember. I can’t lose her for good. I just can’t.
He swallowed against the lump in his throat. He hadn’t lost it once since the accident. Kept pushing back the emotion, telling himself she’d remember. But he was starting to lose hope.
The lodge was blessedly quiet when he entered. He should study, but he’d never be able to concentrate. He needed something to do. Something that would keep him busy enough to distract him from this miserable nightmare.
Meg glanced up when he stopped by the office. “Hey. What are you doing here?”
“Checking on Lauren.”
She homed in on his face, probably seeing everything he wanted to hide. “How was she?”
“Same.”
