Hero For the Asking (Reed Sisters: Holding out for a Hero 2) - Page 44

Kelsey looked thoughtful as she licked a bit of chocolate from her scarlet-tipped finger. "Somehow I don't think it is."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't happen to think the story's over. From what you've told me, Clay is as deeply involved

in this relationship as you are. And he sent you that bracelet. I don't think he's going to let you go that easily."

"Let me go? Kelsey, he did everything but drive me to the airport and throw me on the plane."

"Mmm. We'll see."

"It's over, Kel."

Kelsey only shook her dark head. "Want to bet?"

"The last time I made a bet with you, you took my grandmother's earrings from me."

"I warned you not to bet them, didn't I? But you just wouldn't believe that you and Roger would break up in less than six months."

"Okay, so you were right about Roger."

"I'm right about this, too. I think I'll give you your grandmother's earrings as a wedding present."

Spring flinched. "Kelsey, don't, please. It did help to talk to you, but I can't joke about that."

Kelsey smiled sweetly. "I wasn't joking, Spring."

She left soon afterward since both of them had to work the next day. When she was alone, Spring hung the painting from Summer and Derek in a place of honor in her living room, telling herself that someday she'd be able to look at it without fighting tears. Then she folded the nightgown from Kelsey into a dresser drawer and stored the tool kit from Autumn in the kitchen pantry. Only then did she allow herself to pick up the bracelet again. Very slowly she clasped it around her wrist. It fit as if it had been made for her.

Holding her wrist to her cheek, she closed tear-flooded eyes and admitted to herself that she would not return the gift to its sender. She supposed she'd known that all along. She would wear the bracelet always, and every time she looked at it she would remember a very special man in California. The man who'd taught her how to love.

The telephone rang just as she was about to go to bed, hoping that she would be able to sleep. It was Summer, calling to wish her happy birthday, the last of her family to call that day.

"The painting is beautiful," Spring told her honestly. "I love it. Thank you."

"You're welcome. I could tell you really liked it when you saw it. I wanted you to have it. It's perfect for you."

Yes, it was perfect for her. Even though it made her cry. "How are you, Summer? And Derek?"

"We're fine. Connie and Joel were married last weekend, you know. It was a small ceremony, very sweet. Connie and I cried all the way through it. Derek acted like we were being very silly, but I saw him wipe his eyes once. He's denied it ever since, but I know what I saw."

"I'm very...happy for them," Spring managed, though there was a break in her voice.

"Clay was there, too."

"Oh." Don't, Summer. Please.

"I don't see him as much now as I did before. He's staying very busy these days."

"Is he?"

"Oh, Spring, you're miserable, aren't you? And I know he is, too. If only you'd seen his face during that wedding. He looked so unhappy."

"Summer, he knows where I am, how to get in touch with me. If...if he wanted a relationship with me, he would call." Instead, he'd sent her a bracelet and a card that only wished her a happy birthday. Nothing more.

"I think he's scared of the way you made him feel."

"Maybe he was. But whatever the reason, he's the one who ended it. I'm not going to chase after him, Summer. I can't. And, please, don't say anything to him. Please."

Tags: Gina Wilkins Reed Sisters: Holding out for a Hero Romance
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