“Yes, he is. For at least a year or so.”
“That’s fabulous news.”Evelyn frowned.“So…why don’t you look happy about it?”
“Because…Because he told me he loves me.”
Evelyn laughed.“Of course he does. It’s obvious to anyone who sees the way he looks at you. But you didn’t tell him you love him, did you?”
“No…I didn’t. I couldn’t.”
Evelyn jumped up and hugged her then pulled back, looking directly into her eyes.“Not all men are like Father and leave. Not all men are like Charlie and leave. They aren’t even like Olivia’s Brett.”
“Or Darren?”She raised an eyebrow at her sister.“That’s about all the men that have been involved with the Parker women, you know.”
“How about Grace Parker and her husband? Or our grandmother and grandfather? Those were long-lasting relationships.”
She nodded begrudgingly.
“But I refuse to think that it’s all there is. That you shouldn’t take a chance with Barry. He’s a wonderful man. Kind. Funny. Hardworking. And he adores you. That’s obvious. He’s different than Father. We knew he didn’t want to be a dad or spend time with us since we were little girls. It’s different with Barry. Hewantsto be with you.”
She pursed her lips.“He does. And I do like spending time with him.”
“Then what’s the problem. You love him, don’t you?”
She stood there, still as a statute as she let the question sink in.
Did she love Barry?
She thought about their times together. The fun times. The quiet times. How easy it was to be with him. The way her heart did double beats each time she saw him. Why hadn’t it been obvious to her? Why had she let fear cause her to bury her feelings for him? He wasn’t like any other man who had ever been in her life.
She gave Evelyn a reluctant smile.“Yes…I love him.”She broke into a full grin.“Ilovehim.”Her heart sang with joy at saying it out loud.
Evelyn grinned and rolled her eyes.“I’m pretty sure that I’m not the one you should be saying it to.”
She hugged her sister.“No, you’re right. You’re not. I’ve got to go find him.”
“That sounds like the logical thing to do.”
“I’ll try his house. If he’s not there, I’m going to track him down.”
“Good luck.”Evelyn’s eyes twinkled with amusement.
She hurried across town, the whole time rehearsing what she’d say. How she’d tell him that she loved him. Deciding on the right words. She got to Barry’s and paused on his front step, her hand raised, ready to knock. She took a deep breath, but before she could knock, the door swung open and Barry stood there, looking surprised.“Well, hello. I was just going to come over and visit you.”
“Oh…I…”Suddenly she was nervous. She couldn’t just say that she was coming over here to say that she loved him, could she?
“You okay?”He cocked an eyebrow.
“I’m fine. Perfect. I…I love you.”And just like that, she blurted it out. Not exactly the way she’d planned, but she said it.
His smile spread into an easy grin.“That’s nice to hear. Very nice.”He pulled her into his arms.
“I do love you. It just took me a bit to sort it out and get up the nerve to say it.”
“Loving a person can be a scary thing, huh?”He leaned back and looked into her eyes.“You give them the power to break your heart. But Donna, I won’t break yours. I promise. And I won’t leave. After this job is over in a year or so, we’ll work something out. I’m not going anywhere. I’m not leaving you. Ever.”
And those were just the words she needed to hear. She pressed her cheek against his chest, listening to his heart beat. And she knew she was right where she belonged.
Chapter 29
