Home is Where the Heart is(58)

Nick chuckled at himself, lightening the current mood surrounding their conversation. His mouth formed a smile when he talked about his roots being an influential part on his life. He knew he looked every bit the stereotypical country boy wearing faded blue jeans, a plaid button down shirt, and dirty baseball cap. “Watch out—I may just take you up on that offer.”

“Anytime. There’s always a spare bed when you want to see what Miami has to offer. I’ll be happy to share my humble abode with you.”

Little did Jordan know a break away from Yellow Valley was exactly what Nick needed. He didn’t think it would’ve been this hard to get over his feelings for Gabby. He figured if he had just kept his feelings for Gabby secret then it would be easy enough to ignore them, a kind he had never experienced before. But now that he had declared his love for her and then Gabby rejected him, he needed to move on with his life, but living in here and running into her almost every day wasn’t allowing his feelings to disappear. He couldn’t move on with his life.

Both Jordan and Nick sat there for a few more minutes enjoying the view of their township from the top of the water tower. While the town they lived in sure looked picturesque from where they sat, their love lives were anything but.





“Daddy!” Cassie was in the bathroom and heard her son squeal in delight as she rushed around getting ready for her day at work.

Obviously, it meant Jordan was here to pick up Jake and take him to his play date with his best friend Caleb. Cassie was sure her son was looking forward to playing with Caleb today.

“Cass?” Jordan’s deep voice sounded from another part of the house, followed by chatter between him and Jake.

“I’m in my bathroom,” Cassie called back. She came out of her bathroom just as Jordan entered her bedroom, his lips curling into a smile at the sight in front of him. She literally took his breath away, even dressed in her standard work gear.

“You look pretty.”

Cassie blushed slightly at his compliment, feeling her cheeks go bright red. How did he still have the power to make her feel all gooey inside?

“Thanks,” she replied, returning his comment with a smile as she smoothed down the pink chef’s shirt she was wearing. “It’s kind of a big day. The new owner of the bakery is making an appearance there today. I need to make sure I look good enough to show them how dedicated I am as a baker and waitress.”

“Well, you look good—great! I’m sure you’ll make a good impression on your new boss.” Jordan’s eyes trailed away from Cassie toward her bedroom furniture and the way it was set up. This was the first time he was seeing this room with clear eyes. He had barely set foot inside here when Brielle had called the night he and Cassie slept together. He supposed it wasn’t any different than any other normal adult bedroom with a bed, dressing table, computer desk, and two doors leading off to a bathroom and walk-in wardrobe, but Jordan especially liked the pretty turquoise bedspread covering her bed, and pink flowers in a vase sitting on top of her dresser. It was girly and very Cassie.

“Thanks. I hope you’re right.” Cassie played with the hoop earrings in her ears as she tried hard to not make eye contact with Jordan. She couldn’t do it, and then fought hard with the urge to push him outside her bedroom. She didn’t want him to see inside these four walls, even though she knew there was no harm in just looking. It wasn’t as if seeing her bedroom would give Jordan the impression Cassie wanted him in here too. She couldn’t handle being with him. That one time had been a mistake Cassie was now paying for. Her head and her heart were telling her two different things, confusing the hell out of her.

Jake came bouncing into the bedroom, startling Cassie out of her thoughts, the smile on his face as big as the moon. Jake was always so eager and ecstatic to see his father, and she had to admit it brought tears to her eyes. She still couldn’t believe after all this time, and after everything that had happened between her and Jordan, the two of them could manage to put differences and feelings aside to parent their child together.

“I am right.” There was a sparkle in his eyes as he said it. “How could I not be right? You ooze awesomeness.”

Cassie was flattered by his words; it was as if he knew exactly what she needed to hear this morning.

She felt her cheeks go even redder than before, and the minimal amount of make-up she applied to her cheeks wasn’t doing anything to hide how much she was blushing.

Jordan’s focus soon changed to Jake, whisking him up into his muscular arms. Jake enfolded his small arms around his dad’s neck while they followed Cassie out of her bedroom and into the short foyer near the front door. She replaced her pink fluffy slippers with black ballet flats, and then continued into the kitchen, finishing off the remaining coffee left in her mug before placing it into the dishwasher.