Good Girl Gone Plaid(57)

“Mom?” Emily appeared in the living room, eyes bleary from sleep. “Can I sleep with you tonight? I had a nightmare.”

Her heart melted a little and she gave a small nod. Even though her daughter touted her tweenhood, sometimes she couldn’t fight the fact she was a momma’s girl.

“Come on.” She stood and followed Emily into the bedroom. She’d missed Emily more than she thought during the week apart.

She couldn’t let Ian take Emily. Not that she thought he really would, but the idea of it. The what if. It would destroy her.



Sarah stared at the outside of McLaughlin’s Auto and Classic Car Restoration and hesitated. She tightened her fingers around the plate of chocolate chip cookies and drew in a slow breath.

Get some courage, girl. You need to do this.

Lifting her head, she strode forward and into the office section of the shop. A small bell rang as she entered, and the young woman behind the counter glanced up.

“Good morning. What can I help you with?”

“Actually, I was hoping to see Ian?”

The young woman stood. “I’ll check and see if he’s available. Who can I tell him is here?”

“Sarah. He’ll know who I am.” Whether he’d see her or not was another story.

“Aye. I know her.”

Both women glanced over at Ian as he came out of the office and shut the door.

Sarah drew a sharp breath in as her pulse quickened.

“You didn’t need to come in.” His tone was flat, a clear contradiction to the glittering anger in his eyes. “I told you I’d contact you when I was ready.”

The receptionist made a squeak of surprise and excused herself, disappearing into the garage area where several men were working.

A blush of embarrassment stole up her neck, but Sarah kept her chin high. “I know. I just brought you cookies.”

That sounded pretty lame.

“You brought me cookies?”

“Well…for you to share with your shop.” This was a bad idea, why had she thought it would be a good attempt at chipping away at his icy anger. “They’re chocolate chip. Emily and I baked this morning, and you did say I could bake something as payment for the car…” She trailed off lamely and bit back a sigh. “Though I fully intend to pay you still.”

“I see.” He didn’t even crack a smile as he took the plate from her. “I’m sure my guys will love them.”

But not him. Why was every word like a blow to her heart? A lump gathered in her throat and she tried to give a small smile, but it didn’t quit stay put.

“Look, you shouldn’t have come.” His words were terse. “I’m working and I’m just not…ready to deal with you yet.”

Deal with her.

She might have flinched, but his bluntness actually helped her realize what was going on in his head. “Understood.”

“I’ve got things to do.” His gaze swept over her, almost reluctantly, before his expression grew hard. “Thanks for the cookies. I’ll be sure to return the plate.”

“All right.”

He turned away and strode back into his office. The door slammed shut a moment later.

Sarah made quick haste getting the hell out of his shop and away from the stares that followed her.

So maybe the cookies weren’t a good idea—unless she’d been hoping to get hurt and humiliated.

Which, no, that absolutely hadn’t been her goal. But again her naïveté was showing.

Increasing her pace and blinking back the tears that burned, she made her way back home.





“Thank you for dinner. This lasagna is delicious, but it’s going to go straight to my hips.”

Sarah laughed and gave her mom a sideways glance. “You could use some padding on your hips. You’re too skinny. And I swear if Emily hears you talk like that you’ll give her a complex.”

“Oh I will not—that kid is tiny.” Ana pushed her plate away and made a sound of disbelief. “And she’s in the bedroom watching the Disney channel again anyway.”

“Yes, well, she’s at that age and the girls’ in her gymnastics class are always talking about dieting.”

“Ridiculous.”

“I agree.” Sarah took another bite of her dinner, but she still had no appetite. Her stomach had been in knots since leaving Ian’s garage earlier this afternoon.

They’d had a late dinner after driving around the island and exploring various places with Emily. They’d watched the sunset from the porch of the house, before everyone came inside to eat.

A satisfying day, she reflected. For the most part. Her heart grew heavy as she replayed the brief encounter with Ian.