Pierced Hearts (Southern Charmers 1)

“Let’s go then.” She turns to grab her things, not hiding her grin.

She and Runner pile into her SUV, and I follow them to the bakery while mentally adding to my daily to-do list. Darby didn’t mention my purchase of the building her bakery is in last night, so I have to assume Evin didn’t share that information. As much as I want to tell her, my plan includes keeping her in the dark a bit longer. She needs to concentrate on the next stages and not be thinking about nine months down the road. She’s going to be an integral part of renovating the old bakery without knowing it.

When we park and get out, I take Runner over to the grassy area while she goes in to start the day. I give him some time and notice him curiously sniffing deeper into the wooded area. The security lights don’t reach that far, so I call him twice before he reluctantly comes back with his tongue wagging.

Darby’s thrown her hair in a bun, slipped on her apron, and is laying out the things I need for the cookies.

“The ovens are almost ready. You remember what to do?”

“Think I can manage. Come here.” I lean back on her counter, and she walks into my arms, slinking her hands around my neck.

“I want you to spend the night at my place tonight.” There’s no missing the trace of unease that flits over her face.

“I’m not sure I’m ready for that.”

“Baby, give it a chance. You need to be comfortable there.”

Her expression gives her away. She’s thinking of Connie, my kids, and my life without her. She has no idea of her stamp on what I created.

“I bought that huge porch swing because it reminded me of you.”

She twitches, holding my eyes, but remains quiet.

“It caught my eye passing by a store one day, and I immediately remembered the time you saw one similar in Myrtle Beach. It held both of us as we laid outside that bed and breakfast, and you mentioned wanting one. That day, I turned my truck around, went inside, and ordered it. Everyone loves it. When we unfasten the hinges, it lays out enough for Maya and Cole to both lie on it. But, every time I look at it, it’s a reminder of you.”

Her breath catches, and her eyes widen, but I go on. “My kitchen was designed with you in my head. The counter space, the side work station, the appliances—all you.”

“Pierce, that’s insane.”

“What’s insane is I did it all unintentionally. When your dad visited me, he walked around and inspected everything intensely. The night I found you on the porch swing, a knot took root in my gut. It was a few days later that it all came crashing down. Everything I’d done had a piece of you. I bought the house because you loved the old neighborhood. I lived in a townhome next to Connie, and when the house went on the market, I didn’t hesitate. It took two years to get the layout exactly the way I wanted, but when it came to the renovations and decorating, my subconscious took over.”

“What about other women?”

“My house is for my family and me. Now, it’s for you, too.”

She face-plants into my chest. “All that time, I thought you…” Her voice fades away, and she quivers.

I rub up and down her back, giving her a few minutes for the emotional wave to pass. No one in my life knows what I told her. And the last time she was there, we had that huge fight. It’s time we make new memories.

“Okay, I’ll come over after work.”

As if on cue, Runner whimpers.

“Bring him, too. He needs to get used to the neighborhood.”

She nods into my chest, sniffing lightly.

“Not to push you too far, but I want you to meet Maya and Cole this weekend.”

This time, her body goes rock-solid, and there’s no missing the unsteady intake of breath.

“You knew this was coming.”

“Let’s see how today goes with Connie.”

“It doesn’t matter how it goes with her. I pick them up on Saturday afternoon. Let’s do dinner Saturday night.”

She sighs, and I pick up the undertone of relief. “Saturday night, I’m booked. It’s the annual summer bizarre.”

It slipped my mind that Annie registered DG Creations for the bizarre. She even wrangled Evin and Edward to help during the event. Darby’s spot is going to be a huge draw. Almost every tourist and resident in Charleston shows up to the event at some point. It’s one of the largest parties of the summer.

I make a mental note to look at the bizarre agenda and the events Maya and Cole enjoy. It’s not the time to introduce them to Darby, but at least I can stop by to lend my support and still have the night with the kids.