Page 65 of Hearts on the Mend

“Let’s figure it out soon, hmm? I’d feel more comfortable knowing who’s living with my daughter.”

“He’s fixing the house,” I repeat lamely. I swallow, furious with myself. I should have known better than to have tried to hide it. Matt lives to be a hero, and Nolan never wants to be considered one. I called it a superhero agenda once, but I know better now. There’s a world of difference between them, and I’ve no doubt Matt is about to make this divorce even uglier.

Because of me.

Ugh, if I could just stay away from Nolan. If I could…

But last night, it was more than a hookup. More than whatever I try to lie to myself it was.

“Bye, Matt. Thanks for watching Ruby.” He nods, then calls out to our daughter before ducking out the door.

I sit alone for a minute as Ruby’s giggle echoes around the small coffee shop, red frosting smudged around her mouth.

I’ve lied to myself a hundred different ways, but I can’t have Nolan without breaking Ruby’s heart, and now it seems like I’m going to lose her too.

Chapter 21

Nolan

The power is out, which means the heat is too.

It wouldn’t be a problem, except that I’m on the opposite side of town, and the nor’easter they’ve been predicting is bearing down on us.

Merritt Point is being slammed. The plows can’t keep up, and my dad needed help to get something at the pharmacy for my mom. They tried to talk me into staying, but I was already out the door the second I got the call from Cassie.

Sea spray towers over the road before crashing down, flooding the highway as the swells batter the storm wall. Everything is white. The wipers can’t keep up. I nearly jackknife when I take a corner leading to the back roads to the farmhouse. The town plows haven’t touched them in hours.

If I’m not careful, the truck will get stuck.

I grip the wheel, my shoulders hunched forward, and narrow my eyes, keeping my attention on the road ahead. Or what should be the road.

In the past few days, things have shifted between us again. Something’s been off with Cassie since she picked up Ruby, and it hasn’t necessarily been cool between us, but I feel her pulling back.

She’s afraid to be near me, afraid to touch me, and because Ruby is around, there hasn’t been a minute to talk about it. She retreats to her room after putting Ruby to bed, and I’m left alone downstairs watching old episodes of This Old House with the kitten I didn’t want.

I keep telling myself that I’ll give Cassie space, that I’m good with waiting. I’m not sure if that’s the right call anymore.

I hated the panic in her voice when she called. I was going to make it to her and Ruby one way or another. Even if that meant driving in two feet of snow to get to them.

The truck barely makes it up the driveway. When I step outside, there’s an eerie hush as the snow falls in giant flakes. A dim light flickers inside.

I push through the door, dusting the snow off my head as Ruby races in, wearing a sweatshirt and a bathrobe and her winter hat, clutching Noodles to her chest. “You’re here, Nollie. Finally!” She launches herself at me and hugs my waist. “I have bad news.”

I toe off my boots. I can sense Cassie standing behind me in the hallway.

“What’s that?”

“The furnace died and the house is cold, and Mom says if I don’t wear this bathrobe, I’m going to be a Popsicle.”

“Good thing I’m home then.”

She lets go and throws her arms on her hips. “Yep, I knew you were the guy to call.”

“That so?” I chuckle, finally turning. Cassie has her arms wrapped around herself. It looks like she’s been crying.

I hate that. Hate more that if I reached out, she wouldn’t let me touch her right now.

I swallow that disappointment down.