The Day She Arrived
He watched her walk into the bookstore with ease.
There was no way she was back.
Her grace filled the room, much like it used to when they were kids.
He wasn’t hiding, but he wasn’t in full view.
“Well, I’ll be damned..”
A voice came up behind him.
His younger brother, Liam, whispered in his ear.
“Is that Annabelle?”
He couldn’t move.
The hairs on his arm stood up as he watched her order a coffee--black, heavy whipping cream..
That had been her favorite for years.
“Yes..” Carter said, “I believe it is.”
A chuckle.
“Stop it.”
“Stop what?”
“Screwing her with your eyes.”
Carter sighed.
The one woman he’d let go was right there--mere feet away.
Then he walked in...
Wrapping his arms around Annabelle’s waist.
Carter sneered, but he didn’t let on that there was any tension—he couldn’t.
Not when Liam was watching him like a hawk.
“Go tell her that you want to make amends.”
“There’s nothing between us anymore,” Carter reminded him, “She left this town a long time ago and I have other obligations—like my daughter—who is eyeing you for another cookie.”
“Cookies for breakfast! It’s for champions! Coming, Lily..” Liam laughed as he walked away—but he laughed a little too loudly for Carter’s liking, allowing Annabelle to hear him.
She stepped closer to the chaos and gave a little smile to Carter.
The guy she’d been standing with moved closer as Carter stood up to say hello.
Annabelle trembled as her ex-fiance walked towards them.
“Anna..”
“Cart..” Anna extended her hand as Carter stared at it for a moment, “It’s nice to see you...”
“Likewise..”
They shook hands.
It was as if they were strangers.
Maybe they were strangers.
“So, fancy seeing you here...”
“Yes..oh, yes, this is Justin—my fiance..” Annabelle shook her head, “Justin Mackey.”
Carter smiled, “Justin..Nice to meet you.”
Justin shook Carter’s hand, grippin it tightly as if he was trying to show dominance right away, “Pleasure..”
“What are you doing back in town?” Carter asked, pulling his hand away and eyeing the beautiful woman before him.
“We’re just visiting..”
“ANNA!” Lily rushed to Annabelle’s side and hugged her with so much force that it almost knocked both of them down, “I missed you!”
Annabelle hadn’t come back to Heart for years, but she had kept in contact through letters with the little girl after her mother, Marla, had passed away.
“I’m back! I don’t know for how long, but I need to see my family and...Gage,” Annabelle looked to Carter, “He’s finally coming home with me.”
Carter smiled.
Gage had been a son born to Annabelle and a college fling while she and Carter were on a break.
During that time, he’d also gone off and had a child with Marla who would later become his wife.
Even thought it was so very complicated, the two tried to blend their families, but lies and jealousy and a little aggravation when all Carter wanted to do was lead a simple life and Annabelle wanted to see the world and write for fashion magazines and decorate millionaire homes.
She’d done it—but she’d co-parented with Charles, her one-night stand for the last 15 years.
Justin smiled the entire time until Liam approached.
“Hey..” Liam hugged Annabelle, not giving a damn about the man standing next to her, “Here to get Gage?”
“Yes..” Annabelle smiled, “So good to see you, Li.”
“Yes..” Liam nodded, “Staying long?”
“Long enough to get these papers signed..” Justin smirked as he held up a folder.
“What papers? Carter asked.
Annabelle sighed, “I’m sorry, Carter—I know how much the mines mean to you, but I have to sell them...We’re going to make Heart a bigger and better place for all of the residents and tourists,-”
“Tourists?” Carter shook his head, “Taking the mines away? Where will all of these people work, Anna?”
Before Annabelle could speak, Justin pulled her away.
“We have a meeting,” he said, “Nice to meet all of you again...”
Annabelle kept her eyes on Carter who couldn’t tell if his ex was upset about what she was about to do to the town he so loved or if Justin played a bigger role.
“What a douche..”
“I’m taking Lily home..” Carter said, “As a matter of fact, I’m taking Lily home and all of the other cookies in this damn place.”
Liam laughed, “Mending a broken heart with pastries is also MY favorite past time.”
