Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Trust.
I trusted Aiden…and I trusted my heart with him.
“I want people to know how I feel about you, Emma. But if you’re not ready, we can wait.”
My gaze still locked on his, I felt a sense of peace move over me. For the first time in years, I felt like I could breathe fully. “I want them to know too…but shouldn’t we tell Hadley first?”
“After church, while you go to the circle, I’ll talk to her. Then we can talk to her together. Sound good?”
I giggled like a little girl. “It sounds amazing.”
A brilliant smile broke out on Aiden’s face. Then he laced his fingers in mine and we walked into the church together.
Quickly, we made our way to the familiar pew we sat in each Sunday. I didn’t dare look around, but when we slipped into the pew and Hadley jumped up to sit between the two of us, it all felt so right.
I snuck a quick peek at Patty to my left, and she smiled warmly at me. Then she leaned in and whispered, “It’s about time.”
I felt my body relax as I returned her smile—until her grin turned mischievous. “Wait until the circle finds out!”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
EMMA - THE CIRCLE
“You don’t have to go, you know,” Aiden said as we stood at the back of the church.
I chewed nervously on my lip. “The way your mother bolted up from the pew, I’m almost positive she’s already sent them all a text to give them a heads-up.”
He laughed. “In that case, it might be better to go and get it over with, let them get it out of their system.”
I sighed. “Probably.”
Hadley came rushing over to us and stopped in front of Aiden. “Daddy, Jennifer wants to go sledding! Please, can I go? My wrist is much better!”
Dalton made his way over with Jennifer. “The girls are begging me to take them sledding.”
“Then can we roast marshmallows and have hot chocolate!” Jennifer begged while she jumped around with excitement.
“A sleepover!” Hadley cried out.
“Not on a school night, Hadley.”
“But it’s not a school night, Daddy! We don’t have school tomorrow cause of the teacher workday,” Hadley argued.
“You’ll have the house all to yourself,” Dalton said, a smirk on his face as he looked from Aiden to me. I felt my cheeks heat and suddenly found the floor very interesting.
“I thought we were going to go Christmas tree shopping today, Hadley?” Aiden asked, ignoring Dalton’s statement.
“Can we go tomorrow, Daddy? Please!”
Aiden sighed and looked at me. I shrugged and smiled.
“Fine, you can spend the night. Let’s go home first and pack a bag. There’s something I want to talk to you about,” Aiden said, before turning back to me. “I’ll be back to pick you up.”
“I’m sure I can get a ride with Patty. If not, I’ll let you know.”
Hadley ran over to me, hugged my legs and said, “Bye, Emma! I love you!”
Hugging her back, I fought the lump in my throat. “I love you too, sweetheart. Have fun!”
Turning away, she ran off with Jennifer.
I stood there, overwhelmed by her declaration. I glanced at Aiden. I didn’t know what I’d expected to see…but it wasn’t the heat in his eyes.
Relaxing a bit, I started to assure him again that I would never replace Lisa, but he shook his head and took my hand in his. He kissed the back of it, flashing me a smile so sexy, I felt a breath catch in my chest.
“I’ll see you in a bit, Emma.”
All I could do was nod.
He drew me to him, glanced in the direction of his daughter, then quickly kissed me. When he turned to walk toward Hadley, my hand reached out for something to steady myself, and what I found was Tammy.
“My goodness,” she said softly. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that man look at a woman the way he just looked at you. I think he forgot we were in a church.”
I felt my cheeks heat as Tammy laced my arm with hers and pulled me in the direction of our little women’s church group.
“Circle is going to be very interesting today, Lord willing,” Tammy said and pulled me toward the meeting as fast as she could.
When the doors opened and Tammy and I walked in, all eyes swung our way. I abruptly stopped in my tracks.
“I wasn’t sure you were going to come,” Patty said, all calm and collected.
Tammy nudged me to keep moving, and I made my way to the circle of chairs. Now all eyes were solely on me and judging by the knowing smiles on each of the ladies’ faces, they all saw Aiden holding my hand. I’m pretty sure that they couldn’t have seen the kiss since they were already gathered in here.
As if my lips were triggered by that thought, they started to tingle. My hand rose involuntarily, fingers lightly brushing over my lips.