The Naked Truth(19)

Before she could speak, Josh reached with his other hand toward the picnic basket. He pulled out a small black box and Abigail’s mouth dropped open. He couldn’t be…was he?

“Hop up a minute,” he said to Hailey.

Her daughter obeyed, taking a seat next to her. Josh turned to Abigail. “I love you. I never want you to leave here. I want to make every dream of yours come true. I can’t imagine having you and Hailey over a thousand miles away. Please tell me you will do me the honor of being my wife.” He opened the box and a gorgeous diamond glistened in the sunlight.

“What are you going to say?” Hailey asked, staring at her.

Abigail stared at the gorgeous ring. More than anything she wanted to say yes. But things were moving so fast. Just last night she’d told him she wanted to take things slow. As she took in the site of the diamond nestled inside a black box, her heart rate beat at a rhythm so fast she worried a panic attack was about to start. “Oh, Josh, it’s beautiful, but I can’t say yes.”

She couldn’t look at him as he asked, “Why not?”

“It’s too soon. This is all happening so fast. I’m not ready.”

Josh closed the velvet box. Glancing up at him, she saw he appeared sad and she hated knowing she had hurt him. But this wasn’t some fairytale and he couldn’t just swoop in and make everything the way it should be.

“I think Hailey and I need to fly home. Would your jet be able to take us today?”

“So soon?”

Abigail nodded. “I think its best we go.”

She started to put everything back in the basket when he reached out, catching her wrist. “Tell me one thing…that it’s not over. And you’re going to give this a real chance. I don’t want to lose you or Hailey.”

“You’re not losing either of us. It’s just too much too soon,” she repeated, not sure if it was for him or her. Abigail glanced away and saw Hailey had lost interest and wandered back over to the flower garden. “Hailey, come on. We need to go pack.”

Taking her daughter’s hand, she looked back at Josh and smiled. He didn’t return the gesture. Instead, he pulled his cell phone from his pocket. As she and Hailey walked toward the house, she heard him ask for his jet to be readied.





Chapter Eight



Josh slammed his laptop shut. As he stood, he shoved his chair back, hearing the thud as it hit the wall. This past week had been one of the worst in his life. It wasn’t easy putting on a happy face when his family was a thousand miles away and the woman he loved had turned down his proposal.

Josh stood in front of his wet bar and poured a glass of scotch. He understood where she was coming from. Abigail wanted to take things slow and see where things went. And he supposed he couldn’t blame her. It wasn’t like they had a history and really knew one another. They shared a child. One they’d conceived from a one-night stand. That didn’t make them soul mates or anything fuzzy like that.

Abigail called him nightly though so he could tell Hailey goodnight. The little girl couldn’t wait to see him again. She’d really warmed up to him and Josh was glad. Hailey wanted him to come see her this weekend, but he had to turn her down. He had a big dinner to attend Saturday. He’d asked Abigail if she’d like to be his date, and for a moment he thought she was going to say yes, but then she hadn’t.

He took a sip of his drink, enjoying the burn as it went down. Any minute now his phone would be ringing and Abigail would be on the other side. Did it tear at her heart as much as it did his that they were so far apart?

* * * *

“Is it time to call daddy?” Hailey asked as she grabbed her toothbrush.

It still took Abigail aback to hear her daughter say the word daddy. But she was glad her daughter finally had one. “Scrub those chompers and then come meet me in your room.”

Abigail went down the hall to Hailey’s room and sat down on the bed. As she waited on Hailey, her thoughts went where they always did. Josh and his bed. She missed him more than she’d expected. If she had a time machine, she’d go back right now and accept his proposal and never leave his home again. She knew it was best that they were getting to know each other and she enjoyed their talks. Each night when she went to bed and lay alone, she knew her heart was opening more and more.

“All done!” Hailey plopped down on the bed.

“Blow.” Hailey leaned close and blew in Abigail’s face. The minty scent hit her and she nodded. “Good job. Now we can call daddy.”

Abigail clicked his name and handed the phone to Hailey. Her daughters face lit up when Josh answered. She chatted animatedly with him and told him all about her day at school and how she came home and made cupcakes with her mommy. Hailey giggled a lot before finally yawning and telling him goodnight.