vagabond.â
She went quiet once more, a long silence that made him wonder if she would speak again. Just when he gave up hope, she said, âYour mom reminds me of herâhardworking, concerned over her children, never giving up hope.â Her deep breath cracked his heart. âI wish I could take care of my mom the way you take care of yours.â
âIâm sure she knows that, Sadie.â He glanced through the window, seeing people in various groups having a good time. Then he looked at Sadie once more, here on the outside. She wasnât a loner, by any means. Heâd seen the way she got along with people, could draw out their stories and make them feel comfortable with her. But yes, she did still keep a part of herself distant.
Just as she did with him.
âIf she needs you, why are you here?â
For a moment, he thought she wouldnât answer. Finally she shook her head. âItâs the only way I know to help her now.â
She didnât elaborate on the cryptic words, so Zach asked, âYour father?â
Sadie shook her head once more. âI donât remember him. He left when I was little. Weâre a lot alike in that, you and I.â
Zach stiffened, bracing himself with one hand against the wall. âHow did you know that?â He never talked about his father, preferring not to give attention to someone so utterly lacking in human decency. âYouâve been snooping around again?â
Her eyes widened, appearing almost scared in the twinkling light. âI wasnât snooping about that. I promise.â Her brows drew together. âI canât help it if people like to talk.â
âAbout me?â
âWell, I like talking about you, so why not?â Her lashes lowered over her expressive eyes, as if she knew sheâd revealed too much. Suddenly she shivered, drawing the sparkly shawl closer around her shoulders. âGoodness, I didnât realize how cold it had gotten. We should go back inside.â
Not yet. As she tried to pass him, Zach reached out. His arms encircled her, his body warming hers in the only way he could in public. Then he leaned down and kissed away the chill.
When he finally pulled back, he felt rather than saw her grin. âZachary Gatlin, are you coming on to me?â she asked.
Thatâs what they neededâa little light, a return to the celebration inside. âI donât knowâare you willing to risk another interrogation by Miss Gladys?â
He felt her breath catch beneath his palms on her back. âOh,â she whispered. âI think it might be worth it.â
As they walked back inside, Zach let his arm remain around her shoulders. Anticipation built, bubbling beneath his skin, only to fizzle out as they rejoined their table. The Blackstone brothers were quietly gathering coats, readying everyone to leave.
âLuke called,â Aiden said, turning dark eyes Zachâs way. âMotherâs temperature has spiked again, but something else is going on. Heâs concerned. We need to skip out, but I donât want to ruin everyoneâs evening. Can you take over from here?â
Luckily the mingling of the crowd and the dancing in the back room distracted most everyone from the familyâs departure. As Zach started making final arrangements, he noticed Sadie falling into organization modeâdirecting the restaurant staff, taking care of last-minute requests from guests, coordinating cab rides for those who needed them.
Then Zach was left with a final conundrum: the Blackstonesâ butler and chauffeur, Nolen, had taken them all to Blackstone Manor, where KC and Jacob had a suite with all the baby stuff they needed. That left Zachâs mother without a ride homeâand her house was in the opposite direction of Sadieâs B and B...by quite a distance. While he pondered, Sadie appeared at the table. âIt was a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Gatlin,â
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