Page 15 of The Wish List
She registered the shock in his gaze even as her cheeks seemed to catch fire with embarrassment. But she couldn’t allow a man like Ash to ask her out. It would be too much of a temptation. Too potentially good. Trinity wrecked things when they got too good.
“I didn’t notice the other night,” he said, regaining his composure well before she had hers under control. “How far along?”
“Seven months.”
He sputtered. “You’re barely showing.”
“The bump is there. It’s my first pregnancy and I’m small to begin with so...”
“Congratulations,” he said, still sounding stunned while Trinity felt more like a fool every moment. “To your husband as well. Is he joining—”
“No husband,” she said quietly. “No anyone. It’s me and the baby.”
“So you could go out to dinner with me?”
“I’m due in late January.” Why was he still looking at her like dinner was an option?
“Would next week work for you? Tuesday or Wednesday would be great with my schedule.”
“You can’t possibly want to take me to dinner,” she told him even as something fizzy and light bubbled up inside her. She knew better than to trust her reaction to a man. It was just that Ash Davis was appealing on so many levels. Handsome and kind and obviously a dedicated father. Heck, he even liked her mother.
“Yet here I am asking you out.” He arched a brow. “Repeatedly.”
“I can’t.” She lifted her gaze to her mother’s house. Did Mom still have the old Christmas lights from years ago? “It wouldn’t be fair to you.”
“Don’t you think I should be the judge of that?”
If her reluctance were just about going on a date while pregnant, then maybe that would be the case. She couldn’t possibly get involved with the town’s police chief given her history.
Trinity wanted to believe Dave would let her go, but a part of her knew that was wishful thinking. Plus she wasn’t going to stay in Magnolia long-term. She’d probably be gone before her baby was even born. No sense getting close with a man who could never be part of her future. She was simply too damaged for a healthy relationship.
Being back in her home with a pile of stuffed animals in the corner and the memories of happy moments was such a sharp contrast to the bleak turn her life had taken. She didn’t want Ash to know this current version of her. Maybe once she got her life together, she could come back to Magnolia for a visit and they could try then. She had nothing to give him now.
“I appreciate the offer.” She smiled, hoping he didn’t notice that it wobbled at the corners. “I’m going to have my hands full helping with my mom’s care while I’m in town. I don’t think it would be a good idea.”
He nodded. “I’m around if you change your mind. How’s your ankle?”
Touching a hand to it, she realized it didn’t hurt nearly as much as it had after the fall. “I think it’s okay.”
She went to stand, and he offered his hand again. This time she allowed herself to take it as a way to prove to them both that she wasn’t affected by him. It was no big deal. Huge mistake. Ash’s hand was warm and steady, and an almost forgotten part of Trinity wanted to lean into his touch.
She shouldn’t have turned down his invitation to dinner, but now wasn’t the time to change her mind, no matter how much she wanted to. “I need to get back into the house. Beth is coming back to help clean up after dropping off Mom. She and Freya don’t always get along. My job is the peacemaker.”
Ash grimaced. “That sounds exhausting.”
“Sometimes.”
“If you ever need a break, you know where to find me.”
“I’ll remember that,” she said quietly then turned and walked up the stairs. There was no way she’d forget this moment. It felt like a wish come true to know she was still capable of feeling the hopeful hum of attraction, even if she wasn’t going to do a thing about it.
CHAPTER SIX
CHRISTMASCHEEREXPLODEDall over Magnolia the weekend after Thanksgiving.
At least, that’s how it appeared to Freya as she made her way toward the hardware store on Saturday afternoon to meet her sisters.
Maybe she simply hadn’t noticed the shopkeepers getting ready for the holiday season when she’d arrived in town last week, her mind consumed with thoughts of her mother’s health.
