Page 33 of Her Billionaire's Baby Secret

Sariah laughed. “She’s like a twelve-year-old girl, giggling over boys.”

He shut her door and then walked around the vehicle and climbed into the driver’s seat. “I think she’s adorable. She doesn’t bother me a bit. In fact, I think she’s entertaining.”

“Entertaining,” Sariah repeated. “That’s a good word for it.”

“I hope my grandma doesn’t miss her too much when she moves,” Kane said.

“Are you kidding? She won’t be able to keep my grandma away. She’ll still be driving over to her house all the time.”

He started the engine. “I think you’re probably right.”

“Have you heard any more about the Hickory Ridge homestead?” Sariah asked as he backed the car out.

“The town meeting is tomorrow. I’m planning on going.”

“Me too,” Sariah said.

“I spent the day today talking with people around town, gathering support. The historical society is on board, just like we’d hoped.”

“That’s great. I spoke with several people after the funeral when we were eating. I haven’t run into a single person who wants that mall there.”

“I’ve had a similar experience. Unfortunately, the developers don’t care what the people want. They’re just looking to make money.”

“That’s so frustrating. There has to be something we can do if we all stand together.”

“I agree. We’ll see how the town meeting goes.” Surely there was something he could do with all the corporate experience he had.

They pulled up to Sariah’s house. “Do you want to sit on the porch for a few minutes? It’s still not too cold out.” It was unseasonably warm that night. Perfect porch sitting weather.

“I’d love to.” He sat in the rocking chair next to her.

“How much longer do you think you’ll stay before you go back to New York?” Sariah asked.

“I’m not sure. I can’t be in town too much longer because I need to get back to help with the merger, but I want to help my grandma get settled into her new home. Or at least help her pick a place out. It just feels too soon to leave her alone just yet.”

“I’m glad you’re staying longer. This is the most I’ve spent time with you for years. Part of that is because I stayed away intentionally. I didn’t want to get too close to you because you were married.”

“And now I’m not.”

“Yeah. It’s different now. I’m allowed to feel something for you now.”

“And what are you feeling?”

Sariah turned toward him and looked him in the eye. “My old feelings are returning. I’d pushed them down for so long, but they’re still there after all this time.”

He reached out and brushed some of her hair back from her face. He was close enough that he could detect her familiar perfume. “You smell nice. It’s the same scent you had all those years ago.”

Sariah kept her gaze on him. “You still remember what I smelled like?”

“How could I forget? You were my first love. I remember everything.”

Sariah’s eyes softened. “I remember too.”

This girl was melting his heart. He couldn’t bear to stay away from her a moment longer.

He leaned forward and brushed his nose against hers. He heard her sharp intake of breath. He stayed like that for a moment, just reveling in the feeling of their time together. It was something he hadn’t allowed in many years, and all the memories came back fresh and new like they’d just happened. Kissing her in the moonlight next to the creek, sneaking out with her after midnight to kiss in the back of his car. Kissing by their lockers at school and getting in trouble for it.

She leaned closer to him, and then her lips were on his. She was just as sweet and innocent as he’d remembered. But she was older now, more experienced, and that was evident as her lips moved over his. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer to her as she kissed him. He buried his hands in her hair, feeling the silky waves beneath his touch.

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