Page 21 of Small Town Prince Charming

“I’d planned on being there. I want to photograph the girls and my work in action.” She went to every event she’d created costumes for and photographed the garments.

“With me.” The low tone of his voice rolled over her and reignited her desire.

“I’d love to.” She couldn’t imagine accompanying anyone else. “I’ll be there later to watch the dual dress rehearsals tonight, too. Are you going to get a break? Or do you have to answer to Derek?”

“I should be free, but I’ll be with Keelan doing the last-minute light checks. We sit together and note anything that doesn’t look right or that’s wonky. You’re welcome to join us in the audience.” He kissed her. “I should go. I only had forty-five minutes.”

“You didn’t eat.” She stood when he did. “You’ll get light-headed. Let me make you a PB&J.”

“Nah. I packed something to eat, and I’ll have it on the way back to the site. Tom won’t mind that I’m late, because I don’t ask for time off very often, and I usually work late. Besides, once he finds out I’ve got a girlfriend, he’ll encourage me to do things like this—not that he’ll know, but he’ll encourage it.”

“I’m touched.” She also should put on some pants. She didn’t mind walking around in her underwear, but she couldn’t work downstairs without appropriate garments. “Let me get dressed and I’ll walk you down to the shop.”

“I do want to get that bracelet for Maisey, too. Let me know what I owe you.” He adjusted his jeans.

She ducked into the bedroom and slid her boots off. She changed into a fresh pair of panties, jeans and her sneakers. When she re-emerged in the living room, Ryan hooked his fingers in his belt loops.

“What?” she asked. “What’s wrong? You look concerned.”

“Not at all. I was trying to figure out how to make this happen more often.” He wriggled his eyebrows. “I was also thinking about something Maisey said last night. She told me she wanted you to be with me and asked if you would be her mother. She’s got her heart set on you.”

That was quick. “Do you?”

“Yes.” He crossed the room and enfolded her in his arms. “I wish I could give you everything you want.”

“Who says you can’t?” she asked. “What do you think I want or need that you can’t provide? Love? Respect? Partnership?”

“A nice house. A big car...” He shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve never had anything happen this fast and work out. You’ve seen my life. I get the bumps, bruises and nicks.”

“I know.” She slid her hand over his chest and his pulse fluttered under her palm. “I’m happy here at the shop and in my apartment. I don’t need a nice house or another car. But I have to be honest. Ryan, I can’t have kids.” She couldn’t withhold this any longer. “I made a choice in New York and the outcome wasn’t what I wanted. None of it happened like I wanted, but that’s life.”

He cupped her jaw. “I don’t need more kids. I just need Maisey and you. Do you trust me enough to tell me what happened?”

She might as well. She trusted him with her heart and her body. The truth was just words. “His name was Braxton. We dated for a year and had been sleeping together. We weren’t careful and I got pregnant. I wanted to keep the baby, but he didn’t.” Her voice cracked and she fought past the tears forming. In the ten years since the incident, the pain hadn’t receded. “I went to the clinic, because I had bleeding and found out it was an ectopic pregnancy. My doctor told me we had to end the pregnancy because I’d never be able to carry to term without endangering my own life. I had to have a procedure, but there were complications. I ended up having a hysterectomy because of those complications.” Her stomach roiled as she thought about the botched procedure. “I told Braxton before I had the surgery, but I didn’t hear from him until afterward when he said I had the whole nightmarish situation coming to me.”

“He was wrong.” He held her. “Sweetheart, you didn’t deserve that at all.”

She trembled. No one outside of her best friend, Chris, knew about her past and Braxton. “I don’t share these details with everyone.” She barely wanted to handle them as memories.

“I’m honored you trusted me enough to tell me.” He wiped tears from her cheeks and rubbed her back. “You were brave and strong. You are a hero to Maisey and one of my best friends. You’re my hero, too. I care about you, and I will do my best to make you happy.”

“You said you’re nicked. Do my worn edges and cracks bother you?” She hated to cry and show weakness, but she couldn’t contain herself.

“They make you more beautiful.” He brushed his nose along hers. “I’m honored to be your man.”

“Thank you.” She stayed in his arms another minute, then gathered herself. “You should get back to work before you get into trouble for being late.”

“Nah. Tom’s a good guy. Like I said, he’ll understand.” Ryan kissed her again. “See you tonight?”

“You will.” She walked with him out of the apartment and down to the shop. “I’ll be there.”

He paused. “I’m falling for you.”

“Good. I’m falling for you, too.” She slid her hands along his chest as he pulled away. She watched him leave and her heart skipped a beat. Love was possible with Ryan. It certainly already lived in her heart.

She locked the side door to the alley and ascended the stairs long enough to lock her apartment door before returning to the shop. When she returned to the counter, Eileen stood at the register, ringing up a customer.

Tracey withdrew the purple bracelet from the case and boxed the jewelry in a special gift box with a bow.

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