Love Schemes Clouded Dreams: A Hate to Love Small Town Romance (Sugar Creek Falls Book 2) by Kimberly Readnour

Author:Kimberly Readnour [Readnour, Kimberly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rae Allen Publishing
Published: 2023-08-14T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

ANSLEY

Six years ago

“I can see my guy is taking care of you.” Liam’s face fills the iPad that rests on the picnic table. He looks tired and worn out. It’s August, two weeks before I leave for college, but it’s still busy for my brother. I feel bad for feeling sorry for myself that he can’t be here. He’s swamped, barely having time for himself.

I glance at Matthew, sitting beside me, and try my best not to show how much I care for him. “Yeah, he organized everything. The only thing missing is you.”

The sound he makes is low and grumbly. “I hate not being there for your birthday. I miss you guys.”

“We miss you, too, but we’ll see each other soon.” I gnaw on my nail, trying to stave off tears. It has been so long since I’ve talked to my brother. Matthew does not know how much I appreciate him arranging this video call. And the picnic in the park, for that matter. Mom, Dad, and Mable hunched around the screen with us at one point, but they left to clean the picnic area up.

“I better go. Just know that I’m jealous I don’t get any pie.”

“Your loss.” I smile. Matthew didn’t get me a birthday cake, but instead talked his mom into making me my favorite cherry pie. He really goes out of his way to make everything perfect. “I love you, brother.”

“Love you, too, sis.”

As soon as I hang up the call, Matthew leans closer to me, his breath hot against my cheek. “You miss him, don’t you?”

I nod, unable to speak, lost in the swirl of emotions that Liam’s face on the screen stirs inside me.

Matthew cups my face with his hands, turning me to face him. “Hey,” he says, his eyes searching mine. “I’m here. I’ll always be here for you.”

I melt into his touch, savoring the feel of his fingers on my skin. I know he’s right and will always be there for me, but the thought of Liam being so far away, unaware of our secret affair and the lies we have to tell, fills me with a sense of dread. I shouldn’t be thinking these dark thoughts—today of all days—but there is no way Liam will approve of our relationship once he finds out. I worry that if it comes down to a choice, I’ll be the one to lose.

Matthew must sense my thoughts because he inches closer, his lips grazing my ear, sending shivers of anticipation down my spine.

“Don’t worry,” he whispers. “We’ll make this work. We’ll find a way.”

The sinking sun casts a warm glow across the sky, and my nerves seem to dissolve with the fading light. He has my back, and I want to believe him. I truly do. And it’s this trust that makes me ready for something more with Matthew.

But then reality hits as Dad clears his throat. Matthew jumps away from me, all casual-like, just as he does whenever things get heated between us.

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