Lakeside Sweethearts. Lisa Jordan

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СКАЧАТЬ that you love them.”

      “But not every woman can—I mean—wants to raise a passel of babies.” She pushed him away and waved her hands, as if dispersing with that conversation. “What are you doing here anyway? Weren’t you supposed to go to some craft fair with Emily?”

      After being best friends with Red for so long, he knew when to back off.

      He didn’t really want to talk about his change in plans for the day either, but Red needed to hear the news from him instead of from some customers’ gossiping.

      “Yeah, about that...” Sighing, he pulled out a chair, dropped on it and scrubbed a hand over his face. “Em broke up with me last night.”

      Red placed her hand on his shoulder. “I’m so sorry. Why?”

      “She feels I don’t devote enough time to her.”

      “She’s right—you don’t. But it’s really not your fault. You can’t work her banker’s hours. You’re required to be in the field when most people are eating dinner or chilling out on weekends. Plus, with running your nephew to practice and feeding your caffeine addiction here, I’m surprised you had time to take her to dinner.”

      “Thanks, friend. Whose side are you on?” And his coffee addiction happened so he could see Red.

      “Get real, Ian. A woman wants to know she’s valued in a guy’s life. Even with your demanding job, you could make more time to be with her if you really wanted.”

      He shrugged and leaned back in the chair. “You’re right.”

      “Well, maybe its good you found out now.”

      “Yeah, especially now.”

      “Why do you say that?”

      “Well, for one thing, I don’t see myself spending the rest of my life with her.”

      “Why not?”

      She’s not you.

      But he couldn’t say it.

      “You’re almost thirty-eight, Ian. You’ve wanted a wife and family for a while. Maybe it’s time to think about settling down.”

      His conversation with Emily last night made him realize he didn’t want to just date for the sake of going out. He wanted the one woman who’d stolen his heart a couple of decades ago.

      He wanted Red.

      And now he was determined to prove they belonged together.

      “You should take your own advice,” he said.

      “Tried that, remember? Apparently, I’m not enough to make a man happy.”

      “You need the right man, Red. Your ex was a jerk, who couldn’t see what a great woman he had.” Ian stood and reached for Red’s hand. He ran a thumb over her soft skin.

      Red glanced at her hand, then shot him a puzzled look before pulling her fingers away gently. “We can talk more later, if you’d like, but I really need to finish setting up in here.”

      “That’s not what I wanted to talk to you about anyway.... I got sidetracked. Can you spare a couple more minutes?”

      “What’s going on?”

      Fifteen minutes ago, he had forced himself not to sprint down the street to share his news with her. Now his stomach knotted, and his throat felt as dry as day-old toast. “I just left Seaver Realty.”

      “Really?” Red leaned over the table to adjust the pink and yellow roses in floral teacups, her ponytail falling forward over her shoulder. “What for? Planning to move out of your parents’ basement?”

      “Nah, haven’t gotten that lucky yet. I’ll be there to lend a hand until Zoe’s released from prison and can care for Griffin on her own.” He paused a minute to choose his next words carefully. “The board voted on a place for Agape House. Mom signed the final paperwork today.”

      “That was fast.” She smacked him with a napkin. “Why didn’t you say anything, Ian James?”

      “Well, it happened rather quickly. Once Mom learned my sister’s parole hearing would be in August, she’s been pushing them to agree on one of the houses Alec’s already shown them. So they made a decision last night and signed papers today. Thanks to community donations and corporate sponsorships, the house has been paid in full.”

      “That’s great, Ian.” Red did a little dance and opened her arms. “Get over here so I can hug your neck. I know how important this is to your family.”

      He gathered her against his chest again, her hair whispering against his chin. Could she feel his heart hammering against his ribs? “Yeah, thanks. Mom hopes the parole board will be in favor of releasing Zoe in August if she has a transitional home to go to.”

      “Doesn’t give you much time to get a house ready.”

      “Exactly. Which brings me to my next thing—the board chose an estate that’s structurally sound but needs some work—inside and out. Plus, Mom’s talking repainting, new curtains...stuff like that.”

      “Makes sense. A fresh coat of paint covers a multitude of scars.” Red walked to the window and adjusted the blinds to allow light to pour across the chocolate-brown carpet.

      Ian shoved his hands in the front pockets of his faded jeans. “She wants to know if you’re interested in the job.”

      “But I have a job.” She reached for a yellow napkin and folded it into a fan before setting it on one of the white dinner plates.

      “This is part-time and temporary. You have great budgeting and organizational skills to coordinate the volunteers helping with cleaning and painting. There’s a stipend set aside for whoever takes the job.” Ian reached for one of the napkins and copied Red’s folding. “Mom loves your repurposed furniture. She wants to buy pieces for Agape House and will showcase your work to help spread the word about your business.”

      Agnes pressed a hand to her chest. “Ian, I don’t know what to say. It’s so generous. I love working for Josie and Nick, but opening Tattered Daisies Furniture has been a dream for so long.”

      “This takes you one step closer to having your own storefront. Say yes.”

      “Where’s the place?” She handed him a pitcher of ice water and pointed to the place settings across from her. “Please fill those glasses.”

      This was the tough part.

      “Well, that’s the thing.” Ice clinked against the clear glass as he filled the goblets halfway with water. He set the pitcher on the table and leaned forward, bracing his hands on the table. “It’s the old Miller estate on Liberty Street.”

      Her head jerked up, causing her to slosh water over the edge of the goblet she had been filling. “Wait a minute...what?”

      He snatched napkins off the table behind him and thrust them at her. Maybe she hadn’t СКАЧАТЬ