Page 43 of A Beach House Beginning

Wes, she had previously noticed, didn’t miss much. “Yes. He...he died unexpectedly in prison a few weeks ago. Natural causes. An aneurysm, according to the autopsy.”

“Wow. No kidding?”

She nodded. “I finally feel like I can breathe again, you know? For the first time in two years, I can think about the future. In many ways, I feel as if I’ve been living in suspended animation. Trapped by events beyond my control. I was ready to go into hiding again as soon as he left prison. Now I don’t have to. I can stay here in Cannon Beach. We can make this area our forever home. It’s liberating.”

He looked down at Theo, sleeping at their feet. “Is that what led you to adding a dog to your family?”

She nodded. “I’ve been in survival mode for so long. It really feels as if Addie and I have been in a constant state of turmoil since Ryan died. We’re finally in a good place now. Addie has wanted a dog forever and this seemed like a small thing to do for her, after everything she has endured.”

“He seems like a good dog.”

“We got lucky. He’s really well-behaved and eager to learn.”

He petted the dog, and she couldn’t seem to stop watching those big, calloused hands.

“So now you know the entire grim story. I don’t...trust easily. For obvious reasons.”

“Understandable.”

“It’s easy to fall into the victim mentality. But I don’t want to live the rest of my life that way. That is giving Aaron entirely too much power over me. I would rather not have to think about him another moment.”

“I’m sorry I dredged up all the bad memories by asking what happened.”

She shook her head. “I wanted to tell you. I consider you a friend, and friends share things about their lives with each other, right?”

“I suppose that’s true.”

“You were honest with me about what happened to you. I should have been honest in return. I suppose I’m a little ashamed that it has affected me so much, when there are others who have been through much worse things. Like you, for instance, convicted for something you didn’t do.”

“My mom used to tell me not to compare my troubles to anyone else’s. I wouldn’t want theirs and they wouldn’t want mine.”

She smiled. “Well, thank you for the sympathetic ear. I’m glad I told you.”

“So am I. It only reinforced to me how amazing you are.”

She blinked, disconcerted by his words. “Me? I’m not amazing. I told you how terrified I was when Aaron found me. I couldn’t think straight. Two years later, I’m still scared of far too many things. I even scream at shadows, as you saw clearly tonight.”

“And yet you are inherently kind to your students, to your customers at the gift shop and to random strange men who live upstairs.”

He took her hand in his and smiled down at her. Something sparked in his gaze, something warm and glittery, and his throat moved as he swallowed hard.

“Wes.”

That was all she said. All she could manage. His gaze met hers and she was unbearably moved when he lifted her hand to his mouth and gently kissed her fingers.

She wanted to kiss him.

An aching hunger bloomed to life, like the rosebushes bursting with color on a June morning.

She looked at his mouth, breathless as she waited for him.

He lowered his mouth and she leaned toward him, heart pounding. At the last moment, he froze, his expression suddenly tormented.

He wouldn’t kiss her, she realized. Not only because of what she had told him but because she had been clear that she didn’t want more than a friendship with him.

If she were wise, she would count her blessings, gather her dog and rush inside.

She didn’t feel very wise right now. Before she could think through the ramifications, she leaned forward, bridging the last few inches between them, and kissed him.

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