He pointed to the house. Holly was coming out of Faith’s house with a black duffel bag. Faith looked at Adam, confused.
He rolled down the window and waved at Holly. She grinned and handed him the bag. Holly looked at her sister with a happy expression. “Have fun, Sis, and just go with it. It’ll be a nice vacation for you before the baby is born.”
Holly went to her car and drove off. Faith felt off balance. She never expected this in a million years. Why would he spend his vacation with her and not one of his friends or brothers?
“I want us to have time alone,” he explained.
“But why, Adam? And what about my shop?” So many thoughts ran around her head, it made her a little dizzy.
“Jenny knows and Holly promised to come in and help. It’s only three days,” he assured her, playing with a strand of her hair. “I did everything wrong with you, Faith. I ruined our first night together and the moment you told me you were pregnant. I hurt you and I hate myself for that.”
She swallowed down her emotions. Her pulse went into overdrive. “We’re past all that, Adam. Aren’t we friends now? We haven’t fought in weeks.”
He leaned over and kissed her lips softly with tenderness. Her lips tingled from his light touch. It made her teary-eyed. “I want more than friendship, Faith. I want to start over and do it right. “
He started his truck and backed out of her driveway. “I’m hoping you see this kidnapping as romantic and give me a second chance at proving it’s just not the baby I am interested in.”
“Was this Alana’s idea?” she asked suspiciously. Alana made no secret of the fact she hoped her and Adam ended up as a couple. She brought it up constantly, along with her husband Noah.
“Nope. All mine.” He sounded proud of himself. Her heart melted just a little. He was a sweet guy. She wasn’t sure what to think. “All she did was text you to keep you at the shop until I got there. I called Holly and she packed some clothes for you. She threatened me with death if I didn’t make you happy.”
“Okay. I guess I won’t call your brother to report a kidnapping.” She chuckled, feeling happy. This was all his idea. It gave her hope.
He laughed. It was a happy sound. “Thanks, sweetheart. He is not too happy with me not convincing you we belong together. He would have happily thrown my ass in a jail cell.”
She leaned back with a yawn. “Wake me when we get there.”
She fell asleep with a small smile on her face. Adam wanted to spend time with her when he didn’t have to.
Chapter 16
Faith sat on the front porch sipping her decaffeinated coffee. When they had arrived last night, it had been too dark to see the scenery. Now with the sun shining, the fresh breeze, and many green trees, she could see why Adam liked it out here. It was calming and peaceful. She could see the dark blue lake in front of them. Birds chirped in the air and she felt relaxed.
She wondered what was going on in Adam’s mind. Was he being serious about his intentions? She did her best to keep a wall built between them all these months. The tables had turned and she was now the one filled with fear, afraid to be hurt.
“Enjoying the scenery?” Adam asked from behind her. He sat in the rocking chair next to hers. He had his own cup of coffee. He was wearing gray sweatpants and no shirt. She avoided studying him too close or she might not be able to speak. She would just drool.
She rocked back a little in the rocking chair. “I am. You were right. This is such a peaceful place. I see why you like it.”
“Glad you like it. It has become one of my favorite spots,” he replied. “Sometimes I just sit out here and enjoy the quietness. I take hikes or go fishing. Liam came with me once, but he found it too quiet and almost died without the internet. Noah was always too busy to come.”
She grinned, thinking of his younger brother. “I can see Liam not being able to relax. He is so full of energy, he makes me feel tired, the way he is constantly moving around.”
He chuckled. “That’s why he eats like a horse and never gains any weight. Adam and I decided we hate him just for that. We have to work out a few times a week, and he does it just to hang out with us.”
“Why bring me out here, Adam? If this is your special spot, why let me intrude?” She wanted a serious answer. She didn’t want to guess what his motives were. She was tired of the up-and-down roller coaster ride she had been riding on since she met him.
“You’re not intruding,” he said firmly. His gaze was centered right on her and she felt her body warming up quickly. She squirmed a little in her chair. She held his gaze bravely, glad she was sitting down.
“I wanted to prove to you that I want you in my life, Faith. This has nothing to do with the baby. She is a bonus and I can’t wait to meet our daughter. This is my special spot and I want to share it with a special woman. You. I always come here alone, but I want you to share every aspect of my life.”
Faith stayed silent, not sure how to react to what he was saying, had been saying. She was scared to believe in him.
“I know I messed everything up in the beginning. It was all about my fears. I don’t like feeling vulnerable. You were the one who suffered. I was just too blind to see the truth.”
“Who likes feeling vulnerable, Adam?” she asked softly. She did understand that part of it.
He ran his fingers through his hair. “When Noah kept pushing Alana away because he was afraid of getting hurt, I thought he was a fool. It was so obvious Alana loved him so much. Yet here I am in the same situation. The anxiety over the fire has faded with time and I still find myself in love with you, Faith. I don’t want anyone else. I don’t want to just share a daughter with you. I want to be part of your life. I want to share the ups and downs together. I want it all.”