The Inn at Shadow Lake by Janet Edgar

Author:Janet Edgar
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2006-12-27T05:00:00+00:00

NINE

“We have to talk.” Living with a broken heart when Zach went back to Montana was one thing, but allowing her daughter to be hurt when he left was another thing altogether. Emmie had already lost her father, although she had only been eighteen months old at the time and sadly, didn’t remember him. However, Emmie would remember Zach. How could she explain his leaving?

Resting her hands on Zach’s chest, she placed some distance between them. “Let’s go downstairs and have a cup of coffee before you go.” Taking Zach by the hand, Julie led the way to the kitchen and started to brew a small pot of decaffeinated French vanilla coffee.

Zach sat and watched her every move. “What’s on your mind?”

“You.” Her heart ached knowing how much she would miss him. But she knew she was doing the right thing for all of them.

“Me?” he asked, giving her a smile.

“Yes.” Turning to him, she leaned back against the granite counter and sighed. “You’re leaving.”

“You knew I would be,” he said softly.

“I know.” Julie wished that the dream world she was in with Zach could last forever, but wishing for and living in paradise were two very different things. Having Zach around again even for a short time, she wanted to reach out for the adventures a lifetime together with him would offer. Julie wouldn’t let that false ray of hope filter into her soul.

“What is it?”

“I think maybe it’s a good thing…that you’re leaving.” Julie dragged in a quick breath, deciding to get the conversation over with before Zach’s tender touch robbed her of any logical thought. “We both know that things are moving too quickly. And this time,” she said, tracing a finger along his strong, square jaw. “This time, I have Emmie to think about.” And an unsolved murder to worry about.

Zach brought her palm to his lips. Gazing into her eyes, he brought her hand to rest on his chest. “You and I know better than most people how short life is. I know things have been moving quickly. The truth is…we still have feelings for each other. There’s something special between us, Julie. Always was.”

Realizing the profound truth in his statement, she shifted her gaze away from his. How could she tell him they shouldn’t see each other again?

Looking into his eyes, Julie realized she’d never stopped loving him. There was a special place in her heart that belonged to Zach, only to Zach, especially now that she was falling for the man he’d become. “I’ve missed you,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “I realize that now more than ever. But it’s important that you go back home, to Montana. You’ll find your peace there. I know you will.”

“Wait a minute. Is that what you thought?” He shook his head. “I’m not going home. Not yet.”

“You’re not?” She tried to deny the rush of relief filling her senses.

“I’m just heading out of town for a couple of days on business and maybe a few days of camping or something.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.