Crossing Paths (36 page)

Caroline breaks into my thoughts as she gives me a hard pat on the back. “Hey, brother. It’s about time you got here. I’m starving,” she says, walking toward the dining room.

“Hello to you, too.” I laugh at her obvious comfort in June’s parents’ home.

Caroline and Liam have been seeing each other for about five months now. I couldn’t have chosen a better fit for my sister. Liam is a great guy. He even got Caroline interested in sports—something I had never been able to accomplish. Somehow, they found each other at just the right time. I don’t know that either one of them really settled the other one down. I think they both came to the realization that finding someone to spend a lifetime with is worth a little effort.

June and I follow closely behind Caroline. When we walk into the dining room, three people are already seated at the table. My nerves come flooding back. June must notice because she gives my hand a tight squeeze.

“Cohen, this is my sister, Addison, and her husband, Noah.”

“Hi.” I smile and give a simple nod in their direction.
At least they’re smiling back.

She immediately turns me to face the head of the table. “And this is my dad.”

“Nice to meet you, young man,” her dad says, standing to his feet as he offers me his hand.

“You, too, sir. Thank you for having me.” I reach out and shake his hand.

“Well, let’s not keep the pregnant one waiting.” Noah lovingly glances at Addison as he nudges her with his elbow.

As everyone laughs, the tension I felt before begins to ease again.

Once we all sit down, food dishes start traveling around the table. I’m holding a basket of rolls when Liam begins to speak to me.

“It’s about time you joined the weekly family festivities.”

“Yeah, I wish I could have come sooner, but you know how busy work schedules can be,” I say, trading the basket of rolls for the bowl of potatoes he’s passing my way.

“No further explanation needed,” he says, shaking his head.

“How is your work going?” June’s dad gives me his full attention.

“Very well. Actually, there are going to be some changes soon, and I think things at work will get even better over the next few months.”

I’ve been waiting to tell June the news for a few weeks, but I can’t hold it back any more. This seems like as good a place as any to share. “The Bushing Company has decided to open an office in Houston. They want me to move here next month to get things up and running by the first of the year. After that, I’ll have a permanent position here.”

June’s eyes grow wide, and a smile erupts on her face. It’s like none I’ve ever seen from her before, and my heart swells with excitement.

She shouts, “You’re kidding, right?”

“Don’t really think I would tell a joke like that at your parents’ house.”

She launches herself toward me for another hug, knocking over our glasses of tea in the process. Everyone on our side of the table jumps up from their seats to avoid getting wet. I never knew it was possible for clumsiness to be so endearing.

“Oh crap. I’ll go get some towels,” she says, looking at me with glistening eyes.

“I’ll help you.” I slide ice and liquid off the edge of the table into one of our glasses, and then I follow the path she took into what I assume is the kitchen.

As the swinging door opens, I see June standing at the sink with her hands braced against the edge of countertop. The light from the evening sun is shining against her skin, and I stand there for a second, admiring her beauty. She’s staring out the window with a distant look on her face, and my heart sinks a little.
Maybe she’s not happy about this after all. Maybe I should have waited to tell her when we were alone.

“Hey, are you okay?” I ask in a soft whisper as I walk over to her. Placing my hands on her waist, I turn her to face me.

“Yes,” is the only word that comes out of her mouth as a tear begins to fall down her cheek.

“June, what’s wrong? Are you upset?” I grab a napkin from the counter behind her and dab her eyes gently.

“Nothing…absolutely nothing is wrong. I’m not upset. I’m in shock. I can’t believe this is really happening. You’re really going to move here?” Her expression reveals a mixture of hope and concern.

“You can believe it. It’s really happening.” I gaze into her beautiful eyes for a moment, getting lost in their subtle green hue. “I love you.”

Did I just say that?
We haven’t said those words to each other yet. They just came out of my mouth before I had time to think about them, but it doesn’t matter. I would tell her a million more times just to see her eyes sparkle the way they are right now.

“I love you, too.”

When she lays her head on my chest, I place a kiss on her soft hair.

After a couple of minutes, she leaves my embrace, grabs a few dish towels, and then links her arm in mine.

“We better get the table cleaned up,” she says, her face more at ease now.

We walk back into the dining room just as June’s dad is finishing up a story, and the room erupts in laughter. As I glance around the table at June’s parents, her sister, her brother-in-law, Caroline, and Liam, I breathe in the love filling the room. It wasn’t long ago when I decided the path my life had taken seemed unfair, and I was certain I was unworthy of finding another love. When I look down at June, her affection for me is evident in her smile. I know now, in this moment, that my path has led me here for a reason—to find a place of healing where a second chance at love is possible.

Grandma and Mom
—Thank you for instilling a love of reading in me at a young age. It was one of the best gifts you’ve ever given me!

To my husband
—Thanks for watching the boys while I spent time making a dream come true. I never could have done this without your support.

Beta Readers:
Amanda, Ashley, Christina, Jennifer, Julie, Kevin, Lainee, Megan, Tara, and Tera—I appreciate every single piece of advice you gave me during this process. From the initial idea to the finished product, your imprint will forever be on this book.

Alexandra Woods
—My fellow author, encourager, and friend. Thanks for the advice, honest opinions, and all the laughs. This journey wouldn’t have been the same without you.

Jennifer Roberts-Hall
—A simple thank you.

Ozarks Romance Authors
—My Missouri writer friends. I’m so happy to have a group where I can share my passion. We all come from different walks of life, but at the end of the day, it all comes down to words on a page shared across a table. You have each played a part in helping me grow in skill and in confidence. I can’t say thank you enough.

Sarah Hansen
—You made my cover shine brighter than I could have imagined! Thank you!

Jovana Shirley
—You’ve made my first experience with an editor painless. I’m so thankful I found you.

Sometimes I stare at my book cover and tear up. Or I get an email from Jovana and wonder how I got here. I’m so blessed.

When I began writing this book, I had no clue what would come of this experience. Over the past year, I’ve been welcomed with open arms into a community that was not my own. The world of indie published authors is growing, and I’m so glad I joined in.

To The Writers Club and Indie Gals Connection groups
—Without your constant encouragement and your persistence to complete your projects, I would not have had the wherewithal to finish this book. I am proud to be included in these groups with many talented authors.

To the readers
who promoted my debut novel, trusting that the synopsis and small excerpts I’d posted would bring a book to fruition—You are a blessing. I hope you enjoyed my completed work.

And finally,
to the bloggers
who spend their free time reading, writing reviews, and promoting independently published books—I simply have no words worthy enough to describe my level of gratitude to you. Thank you for all you do!