“I am happy for Annie, and Eric.” He rubbed his face, regret in the clear green eyes when he finally looked at her. “I can’t go.”
“Fine.” That anger turned cold. “You sit here and stew in your self-righteousness.” She stalked forward and caught the front of his shirt. “They are your friends, and this is an important moment, for both of them. They fought hard to reach this point, to find each other. And now they are going to be a family. Annie’s pregnant.” His eyes widened, but she kept talking before he could say anything. “I thought you might want to be part of it. I thought you might care.” Letting him go, she clenched her fists, put distance between them, afraid she might use one of those fists. “I see now I was wrong.”
“Claire—”
“No, Simon.” The anguish on his face cracked her anger, broke through the wall around her heart. “You made your choice. Now I make mine. As far as I’m concerned, you no longer exist.”
She turned, all but ran out of the church before she could change her mind. Simon caught up with her before she got past the portico. Strong hands closed over her wrists, hands that had saved her, more than once.
“Claire—no,” he said, tightening his grip when she tried to yank herself free. “You had your say. Now it’s time for mine.”
“I don’t want to listen to—”
“I miss you.” He took in a ragged breath, let her go. “All of you are family, people who understand what I can do, what I am, and don’t look at me sideways because of it. God help me, I miss you, Claire.” She stared at him, grief locking her throat. “I walked away, and I thought I’d be able to put you aside. I was wrong. I’m so sorry.”
“Simon.” She reached for him, froze when he retreated.
“I can’t. As much as I want to be part of your life, I chose this path, this church. I can’t turn away from it, any more than you could turn away from Zach.”
His words tore at her. Claire thought she couldn’t be hurt by him, not again. But this raw confession left her aching.
“I wanted to hate you, Simon, when you walked away from me. I just couldn’t. Forgive me, for putting you between two impossible choices. I have to go.”
“Zach is remarkable.” His quiet words halted her. “I was wrong about him.”
“Thank you for that.” She stared down at her hands. “I can’t remember what my life was like before him. He gives focus to everything.” Before she could say what she really wanted, and destroy the fragile truce, Claire moved to her car. “Take care, Simon.”
“Claire.” She clutched the open car door, kept it between them. “Stay out of trouble.”
Laughter burst out of her, surprised them both. “I’ll do my best. Goodbye, Simon.”
A weight lifted off her heart as she got in the car, drove away.
Maybe she had not lost Simon after all.
EIGHT
Annie dragged Eric along the high street, admiring each store they passed. Briarton charmed her, and it was surprising, because she didn’t expect to be so affected by this place. But since she stepped off the plane she felt—different. Stronger, more alive. And Eric certainly wasn’t complaining.
She stopped on front of the store. “Here it is.”
“Why don’t you go in on your own? It’s such a nice day, I think I’ll . . . what?”
She couldn’t keep the smile off her face. “If you’re afraid to go inside, I won’t think any less of you.”
“I’m not.” He took her hand. “You know I love you, Annie.”
“But you’re not in love with the accessories.” She patted his cheek. “You accept what I am, and that’s huge for me. You don’t have to be comfortable with this,” she gestured to the store. “I certainly wouldn’t want to wander through a Vets R Us outlet.”
Eric laughed. “They are not called that.”
“You know what I mean.” Leaning in, she kissed him. “Stay out here, enjoy the sun. I shouldn’t be too long.”
“Right.” His smile took the sting out. “I’ll go have a coffee, or three. Take your time.” He brushed his hand over her curls. “Go enjoy your candy store, kid.”
Annie watched him walk across the street, loving the way he moved. She just loved everything about him, period. And thanked God every day that he was in her life.
One hand on her stomach, she studied the store. Two Witches and a Broomstick spread across the wide front window in gilt cursive. Under it, a cauldron turned on its side spilled a sampling of what could be found inside, spread over a seriously gorgeous length of star stitched blue velvet.