Mommy's Hometown Hero by Merrillee Whren

Author:Merrillee Whren [Whren, Merrillee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises
Published: 2008-12-24T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Trying to figure out what he was going to say, Matt held Rachel’s hand and led her across the walkover to the beach. Sea oats, bathed in moonlight, danced in the breeze. The full moon illuminated the wide expanse of packed, wet sand left by the ebb tide.

While Rachel removed her shoes, Matt took off his own shoes and rolled up his pant legs. Then they walked without talking across the sand to the water’s edge. Stars twinkled in the clear night sky, making the warm spring night picturesque and peaceful. The waves spilled onto the sand. Their rhythmic sound did nothing to soothe his troubled thoughts.

“Now that we’re here, are you going to tell me what was going on back there?” She peered at him in the dim light.

Matt stared back at her and remembered how she’d looked earlier as she held Becky’s hand. Beautiful. And she was here with him—the most unlikely man.

What would she say about the photographer? Would she think he was interfering? He sighed and looked out at the water. “You know that photographer?”

“Yeah, what about him?”

“Well, I was watching him for a while tonight. At first, I thought it was my imagination, but eventually I became convinced that he was taking too many photos of you.”

“So what did you do?”

“I confronted him, and he admitted he wanted the photos so he could sell them.”

“Were you able to convince him not to do that?”

Matt laughed halfheartedly. “No, and I realized there was nothing I could do about it, unless I took his camera. I couldn’t do that because Wade and Cassie want the photos of their wedding.”

Rachel touched his arm. “Thanks for trying to help, but it comes with the territory. If the guy wants to make a few bucks on the photos, let him.”

“So you don’t care?” He wondered whether she thought he’d overreacted.

“I care, but I learned a long time ago that there are some battles you can’t win. I was more worried that my presence might take away from the wedding. So if the photographer took a few pictures of me, no harm. I’m just glad everything was wonderful for Wade and Cassie. They looked so happy.”

“They did, didn’t they?” Matt said, thinking how he’d like to have his share of happiness. And against his better judgment, Rachel seemed more and more a part of that thinking. “Would you like to go for a walk?”

“I thought that’s why you asked me to come down here, or was it so you could get me alone?”

He laughed. Did he dare hope she wanted to be alone with him? “You found me out.”

She joined in his laughter. “So now I know your true motives.”

“Maybe I really wanted to find out what you and Sarah are keeping a secret.”

She chuckled. “You don’t give up, do you?”

“Nope.”

“I promised Sarah I wouldn’t say anything, and I keep my promises. If she wants to tell you, that’s her business.”

“You and Sarah have become good friends, haven’t you? I was a little surprised, because she was prepared not to like you.

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