She took it, let it go quickly. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too. So you’re hoping to convince the city they shouldn’t take this property by having a party?”
“Well, it’s more than a party. I’m hoping if people understand what I do here, they’ll want me to keep doing it.”
Stephen felt her tense beside him and tightened his hold. “What she does out here is amazing.”
Dave nodded, smiled. “I see. But couldn’t you do that somewhere else?”
Dave wouldn’t understand what this place meant to Hannah. Didn’t think he knew what Trace meant to him.
“I mean, Stephen here is an expert at finding suitable properties. Closing deals. Did you know they call him The Shark?”
“I’m sure it’s because he’s good at what he does.”
“Yes,” Dave agreed. “I’m sure that’s it.”
Stephen didn’t know what Dave was up to, or if he was up to anything, but he didn’t like the vibe and was glad when he excused himself.
“What was that about?” Hannah asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Did you know he was coming?”
“No.” They walked toward the last clump of people.
“How did he even know where it was?”
“I don’t know.” Stephen took her hand, linking their fingers even as his body tensed with the lie.
Chapter 36
“Abby, please. You don’t have to do this.” Hannah put away the leftover condiments while Abby wiped down the counter.
It was after nine, and they were all tired after the long day followed by cleanup and taking care of the horses. Low voices of the men drifted from the front porch through her open door. Stephen had stayed to help, along with Matt and Abby and her brothers. Who were behaving surprisingly well.
“Don’t be silly,” Abby said. “Of course I’ll help. It’s my only contribution. Plus, tonight will be like a vacation since Matt’s parents took all the kids. I was told the McKinney family babied their pregnant women, and they weren’t kidding.”
Right on cue, Matt’s voice came from the front porch. “Abby, come sit down.”
“I’m coming.” She rolled her eyes and made no move to leave. Instead she took a seat at Hannah’s kitchen table.
There really hadn’t been much work for dinner since there’d been plenty of leftover hamburgers and hot dogs. Hannah closed the dishwasher and joined her. “Are the kids excited about the babies?”
“Annie is, Jack couldn’t care less. Gracie has reattached herself to Matt even more than usual. I’m not sure about Charlie yet. And then of course Mary is oblivious.”
“That’s a big family.”
“Yeah.” Abby smiled. “But Matt’s from a big family and I always wanted a big family, so…it works.”
Hannah smiled past the knot in her throat. “Yeah. It definitely works.”
Stephen was from a big family too. She’d love any child, but maybe Stephen wanted his own. Maybe she should tell him there was a good possibility she couldn’t have children. Were they at that point yet? The thought of facing him with yet another issue made her sick.
Hannah noticed Abby’s gaze fall to her arms. She’d gotten hot during the cleanup effort and shed the long sleeves she’d worn over her tank top. It was another step. Everyone here tonight already knew anyway.
“Matt told me what happened.”
“I know.” Stephen had admitted to telling Matt about her past and told her Abby most likely knew, as Matt would have shared it with his wife.
“I only want to say I’m sorry. I hope you’re not mad at Matt or at Stephen. I think Stephen needed someone to confide in.”
“I’m not mad.” And she wasn’t. It was more of a relief, really.
A burst of laughter from the front porch pulled their attention and the moment passed.
“Looks like the boys are getting along,” Abby said.
Stephen and Nick sat on the porch. On opposite ends and not talking but at least drinking a beer in the same space. “Not at each other’s throats is progress.”
“Yes. Progress.” Abby turned back to her and smiled. “Stephen seems happier than I’ve ever seen him. Not that I’ve I known him that long, not like the others. When I met Matt…Stephen wasn’t around much. He was hurting. I know Matt worried about him, felt guilty for not being there more.”
“When his fiancée died.” It wasn’t a question. She knew.
“Yes.”
“He must have loved her a lot to cut himself off from his brothers, his family.” So much he couldn’t love anyone else?