“So he wasn’t receptive to the cookies?”
Her mom always had a knack for knowing where her mind had gone.
“I’m sure he was fine with the cookies. Seeing me however…”
“Give him time.”
Oh how she wished time were the answer. But forgiveness wasn’t always the easiest pill to swallow. She knew firsthand how strong a hold pain and anger could have on you.
A soft knock came at the door, sending tension racing through her.
Ana murmured lightly, “Speaking of. One guess who that’ll be.”
“I don’t need the guess.” Even without the porch light illuminating his recognizable stature, Sarah knew Ian was the person knocking on her door.
“Go take a walk with him. Or a drive. I’ll watch Emily while you two talk.” Ana gave a small shudder of excitement. “I’ll just watch an episode of Castle on my laptop—my friend Joyce got me hooked on it. That Nathan Fillion is such a hunk.”
That last comment caused a reluctant smile as Sarah opened the door. Seeing Ian leaning against the doorjamb, staring down at her with that familiar scowl on his face, had her smile fading.
Chapter Fifteen
“Hi.”
He answered with a small nod. “Can I come in?”
“Do you mind if we walk? It’ll give us more privacy, and it’s warm enough out.” She stepped outside on the porch and closed the door behind him. “Unless you’d rather drive somewhere?”
“No. Walking is fine.” He fell into step next to her as they walked out of the driveway. “I’ve felt a bit restless today anyway.”
“Understandable.”
Restless was probably the most passive emotion he’d felt, she guessed. There’d been a good amount of rage last night that had lingered into this afternoon.
Where had he gone yesterday after he’d left here? He must’ve taken time alone to think. Or maybe he’d met up with one of his siblings. Maybe Colin, since they were pretty close.
She snuck a sideways glance at him in the growing darkness. It was surprising how relaxed he was now. Such a one-eighty from this afternoon. The raw edge of fury and shock had evaporated. If anything, he just seemed tired.
Sarah swallowed the guilt and thrust her hands into her jeans pockets.
“Thanks for the cookies, they were good. If you could pass that on to Emily…”
“I will.” So awkward. “I’m glad you liked them.”
More silence. Heavy and uncomfortable. He broke it first.
“You didn’t run. I mean, obviously.”
“I told you I wouldn’t.” Though when he’d left last night, the side of her that was in full-blown panic mode had considered it. Until logic had stepped in. “Cat’s out of the bag now anyway, right?”
“Right. Or kid.”
Was that an attempt at humor? The slight quirking of his lips made her think maybe it was.
“Yeah. Or kid.”
More silence as they walked down toward Main Street. It was pretty quiet with most of the businesses closed, except for a small bar that had been around forever.
She cast him another sideways glance. His stride was easy and there was no tension in his shoulders as she’d become accustomed to in the last couple of days.
“You seem calmer tonight.”
“I’ve had time to think about it—to let my heels cool. We need to move forward from here and my staying angry or bitter will do us little good. Which my family helped me realize when I talked things over with my family last night.”
She sucked in a quick breath as tension coiled through her. “Oh? All your family?”
“Aye.”
Meaning his parents had probably been involved in the discussion somehow too. Maybe he’d called them. Were they disappointed in her? Just as angry as Ian had been?
The possibility bothered her more than it should’ve. She’d adored them, and only now was it really sinking in that by not telling Ian, she’d also denied his parents the right to know their grandchild. Kenzie and his brothers the right to be an aunt and uncles.
“Does everyone hate me?” She tried to keep her voice flat and just casual, but the crack in it betrayed her vulnerability.
He didn’t answer right away, and her heart quickened.
“No one hates you, Sarah. Despite what happened between us and how bitterly we ended, they’ve always adored you.” He paused. “Though they’re confused and unhappy that you chose to hide Emily from us.”
She nodded, unable to argue with that. Emotion gathered and tightened her throat. Decisions she’d made so long ago now seemed rash and selfish.
“I somewhat understand why you did what you did,” he said quietly. “We were both young. I’m sure you thought of me as a troublemaker who couldn’t even be faithful a half a year into dating. And when you decided to try and give me a second chance, you discovered I now had a criminal record. I may not like what you did, but trust me, I get it.”