...Meg, it’s me... I tried you at work and on your cell. What’s up? I thought you might be playing kissy-face with Mr. Muscle, but I ran into him at the airport, so-o give me a call when you come out of hiding... ‘Beep’
...Hey, beautiful. I hope you’re having a great day. I’ll be in this evening and wouldn’t mind seeing you if you’re not busy. I’ll try calling again later. Bye... ‘Beep’
I was anxious to continue where I left off in Gayle’s journal and at the same time, I wanted to share what I learned with Con. It had been a long day and as the hour grew late, I hoped I had enough energy to hold out for either one.
My head jerked up from the couch as the knocks on the door came loud and heavy. Rubbing my face with my hands, I shook off a lethargic feeling and made my way to the door.
I was certain that the smile that stretched across my face was as broad as the one that greeted me at the open door.
“I was going to call first but thought I’d surprise you.”
Moving into his open arms, I murmured, “Hmm, I love surprises.”
He bent to place a quick kiss on my lips while he closed the door behind him.
“Something to drink,” I asked.
“Anything cold, thanks.” His brow creased and he spoke more seriously, as he asked, “Everything go alright today?”
I noted the concern in his voice. Leaving him standing in the living room, I went to the kitchen for the drinks.
Raising my voice, I casually replied, “Yeah, fine. Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know, Cory said she couldn’t reach you... did you make it out to see my grandfather?”
Putting his question off for the time being, I said, “You sit and I’ll get the drinks." I quickly added, "I got a call from Ron at the bank. We’re all set to close on the property.”
“That’s great. I know how much it means to you.”
“Yeah, it’s been along time coming. Hey, did your mother tell you she wants to talk to me about servicing the café? That would be a good size contract...”
Carrying the drinks into the living room, I stopped abruptly, feeling a pang of embarrassment and waited for him to speak. He stared at the journal he was turning over in his hands.
His blue eyes clouded in confusion. He said, “This is my grandmother’s diary.”
I nodded.
“Meg, where did you... how did you get it?”
I set the drinks down and led him to the couch. Rubbing my hands over the front of my thighs several times, I sat and faced him.
“I went to see your grandfather today.” I searched his eyes for a reaction. “He said I’d find all my answers in it.”
His eyes grew as big as silver dollars and he shook his head as he stood.
“How did you get him to give you... you know, it isn’t important. What is important is getting to the truth.”
“Con, I didn’t steal it and he didn’t just hand it to me... It was... he was kind and helpful, he was sad talking about your grandmother and I don’t get the feeling he hates my grandfather.”
“My grandfather?”
“I know, I’m still a little in shock myself, but yes, he has another side.” In an attempt to lighten the conversation, I added, “And, he likes your mother, but I’m not supposed to tell her that.”
Rubbing the back of his neck with one hand and still shaking his head, he mumbled, “Stranger things...”
Returning to the couch, he asked, “Have you read it yet?”
“Some.”
There was no need for words, his eyes asking a million questions.
I thought about where to begin and decided that letting him read what I had read would answer more questions faster than having me relay each entry.
“How about you read to where I left off and then we can finish it together from there. It would probably take less time and I wouldn’t explain it as well. Besides, you should really hear it in your grandmother’s words.”
He leaned back on the couch and I leaned into him. With my head snugly in the bend of his neck, I breathed in his scent, as he began to read the penned confession.
Using his arm to prop myself up, I winced even before my eyes opened and then blinked several times, trying to focus on the man sound asleep next to me.
I smiled and ran a finger lightly across the square jaw that added strength to his confident aura. His masculine face looked almost angelic as he slept, his breaths slow and even. His lips were parted slightly and I couldn’t resist brushing mine across them while my fingers snuck into the top of his shirt to run through the hair on his chest. I gazed at him for several seconds in the dim light and whispered, “I love you,” into his ear before kissing his temple.