Page 14 of Starting Anew

Lynn smiled, but there was something in her eyes that hinted she might be speaking some truth. He ought to laugh at her attempt to joke, but his instincts insisted he address what she wasn’t quite saying.

“Are you trying to be cautious in general? Or is there something—or someone—you feel like you need to be ready to defend yourself against?”

She shrugged and jabbed a thumb at the door. “I should probably go and let you get to your next class.”

Nathan had grown up an expert at skirting around the issues right in front of him. He knew avoidance when he saw it. He reached out and touched her upper arm, effectively halting her escape. “Lynn…”

She glanced around as though afraid she might be overheard. “It’s silly. There was someone, but it’s been years.” Her voice caught. She swallowed and took a moment before continuing. “I know I’m being neurotic. I should let it all go, but it’s hard to quit looking over my shoulder.”

Those very shoulders sagged a little as an air of defeat crossed her features.

He motioned to her. “Follow me.” He led her to the break room. Thankfully, no one was using it currently so they had the small space to themselves. He wished he knew what had happened to Lynn in the past. Had someone hurt her? Abused her? The very thought had anger boiling in his gut. Nathan would love to see the guy walk into the building right now.

He sat on the edge of the table in the center of the room. “You don’t have to tell me about it. I imagine people have insisted that you need to let go and move forward. In some ways, they’re right. It’s easy to let the past grab onto us and keep us from enjoying anything else that might come our way.” His jiu-jitsu instructor back in the day had told him much the same thing. “At the same time, it’s impossible to forget what happened. Things like that change you.” Their situations were different, but he knew full well how true his words were.

Lynn seemed to relax a little and only offered him a small nod. “I hate that it changed me, but I’m not sure I can ever fully shake it.”

Nathan had to make a point of not trying to imagine what might have happened to her. Whatever it was, it had affected her completely, and saddened him. “Don’t expect yourself to. Just move forward. That’s all we can really do.”

She nodded again and watched him for several moments. “Something tells me you’re speaking from experience.”

He didn’t usually open up about his past, but the vulnerability in her eyes had him quickly relenting. “Let’s just say I wouldn’t wish my memories of my parents on my enemies. It was enough to either make you never want to have kids of your own, or swear you’ll be a better parent. My brother, Chess, went the first direction until he met and fell in love with Brooke. I guess I’ve always felt the opposite.”

“You’re a great dad to Mia, Nathan. She’s lucky to have you.”

Her words settled over his heart like a warm blanket. “I appreciate that.” Nathan glanced at his watch. “I need to get out there for my next class, but if you ever need to talk, I hope you know I’m here.” He paused. “I do hope you’ll invite your friend to class. It’d be great to see you both here. Two weeks from today, of course, since next Saturday is the wedding.”

Lynn laughed at that, and the sound swirled around them like a beautiful strain of music. Nathan was glad to see her smiling again.

“Of course. And I’ll ask her, but I won’t make any promises.”

“I can live with that.” He winked at her as he pulled the door open again and let her go through ahead of him. “I guess I’ll see you on Monday. Maybe we can manage to run into each other somewhere for dinner this week.” He turned to face her just in time to see a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

“Maybe so. Have a good weekend, Nathan. Thanks again for breakfast.”

“Anytime.”

He watched as she walked out. He was disappointed she hadn’t committed to the class, but encouraged by the fact she hadn’t completely shot down his suggestion of having dinner again soon.

~*~

Jeb threw some clothes into a duffel bag and zipped it up. He mentally ran through a list of the things he might need over the next week or two. Confident he had the important things packed, he tossed the duffel bag by the front door and sat at his computer again.

For the tenth time that evening, he studied the photo that had been posted to social media. There was no doubting it was Bethany. She looked like she’d gained a few pounds, but that profile—he’d know it anywhere.

Someone had spotted her at a waffle house in Fort Worth. He’d already contacted the person and sent a private message asking which waffle house it was. They still hadn’t answered.

That was okay. They had time as he drove from his small place in Tennessee.

Jeb called to let his brother, who also happened to be his boss, know he’d be taking a few days off work. His brother wasn’t exactly thrilled, but since Jeb owned a portion of their father’s business, there wasn’t a lot more that could be said.

Besides, he had more important things to think about. He’d leave for Fort Worth as soon as he finished getting ready.

A slow smile spread across his face. “Don’t worry, Bethany. We’ll see each other again soon.”

Chapter Six

“So how was it?” Sharon’s eyes glittered with curiosity as she stood in a room full of moving people, patiently waiting for Lynn’s response.

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