Madame Paulette shrugged sheepishly. “I keep an eye on things.” She regally lifted her head. “Never know when one might meet a fireman.” She winked.
Captain Sanders coughed. “Uh, we’ll work on that, Sheriff.”
“You really all came to look for me?” Amelia pulled in her lip, eyes big and cautious as she took in the crowd smiling at her.
“Of course.” Rosalyn couldn’t help herself. She sidled in for a hug on Amelia’s free side. “You’re one of us.”
Amelia coughed, and Linc could tell the moisture on her cheeks wasn’t from the downpour. She smiled, cautiously, then wider. She looked up at Mama D, then Rosalyn, and then Linc. “Thanks.” Her soft voice carried through the group, as everyone murmured how glad they were that she was okay.
The rain started again, lighter this time, colder. Miley clapped her hands. “Okay, I love a good mush fest, but let’s take this party back to Chug a Mug.”
“But it’s closed.” Trish frowned.
“I know the owner.” Miley rolled her eyes. “Hot chocolate on the house.”
Everyone cheered.
“Can we go?” Amelia asked Linc, her eyes wide, smile hopeful.
At this point, he’d give her a pony if she asked. But he also had to find Zoey. Had to try to try to fix his mistakes while they—God willing—were still fixable. He opened his mouth to explain when another figure appeared in the shadows by the gazebo.
Zoey.
His heart stammered. Would God grant him one more answered prayer tonight? He touched Amelia’s arm. “Go on ahead with Mama D. I’ll meet you there soon, okay?”
Amelia followed his glance to Zoey, and understanding lit her eyes. “Okay.”
Linc met Mama D’s gaze, and she winked. “Don’t worry. I won’t let her out of my sight.”
Then, before Linc could move, Zoey was running, scooping Amelia into a hug. Linc’s heart jumped, fresh emotion burning his eyes. Mama D stepped back as Amelia hugged Zoey in return, their heads buried next to each other, two wet curtains of dark hair. They rocked back and forth until finally Zoey pulled away, smoothed Amelia’s hair back from her face, and said something Linc couldn’t catch but that made Amelia laugh.
Then Amelia’s voice, clear as day. “Give him a chance, okay? I did.”
Well, he was just going to puddle right onto the ground, wasn’t he? The question remained, would Zoey take Amelia’s advice?
Zoey looked up after that, right at him, her smile fading a little as their gazes locked. His breath hitched.
“Let’s go, now.” Mama D’s voice was soft as she led Amelia to the rest of the group whisking up the path toward the coffee shop.
Zoey wiped her eyes and made her way toward Linc, the voices fading as half the town crested the hill and rounded out of sight.
He met her halfway, wet grass squishing beneath his shoes. Zoey’s hair and clothes were soaked, mascara smudged under her eyes. Still, she hung back, cautious. “I see you found Amelia on your own. You were right.” She shrugged, offering a sad smile. “You don’t need me after all.”
Oh, man. That was so far from true. His chest burned, and he wished he could take back every awful thing he’d said. He coughed, words tumbling together for escape, sticking in his throat. “No, you were right. I told hereverything. The truth behind what she overheard, her mom in jail, the chance that I’m not her real father.”
“Wow.” Zoey’s shoulders relaxed. “Seemed like it went well.”
“We agreed neither of us wanted to take the paternity test.” He swallowed. “She said she wants me to be her real dad no matter what.”
“Linc, that’s amazing. I’m glad to hear it.” Zoey’s eyes glistened. She was too far away for a hug, and he hated what that maybe meant. Hated how that tightened his chest and made his stomach drop. “Happy for you both.”
The pronoun choice jabbed. You. Notus.
Didn’t she know there was none of that withouther?
He fought the urge to snatch her up. Kiss her. Make things right between them without having to use words. But he’d gotten them into this mess with his hurtful comments, and he’d make it right the same way. By talking.
Even if it cost him.
