Dancing with Deception (30 page)

“Hello, Rebecca. I see you got my flowers.”

“I got them.” It was so cold all of a sudden. She shivered involuntarily and Gideon wrapped his arm around her waist.

“You did good out there. I uh,” he fiddled with the collar of his striped shirt. “I was real proud.”

She wondered why it sounded so much more sincere when Charles had said that. “Thank you.”

“You must be Gideon.”

“Yeah.”

Rebecca squeezed his arm lightly. “Dad, this is Gideon Avery and his family. We’re getting married.”

No one besides Austin looked particularly surprised.
But Rose looked ready to burst.

“Honey, we’ll be waiting for you in the lobby.” Rose kissed Rebecca’s cheek
and gave her a squeeze. Rebecca held onto the comfort
.

“Take your time,” Colin offered. “There’s this really cute redhead…” He trailed off as he left the room.
Rebecca shook her head. She looked at Gideon who stood like a stone boulder. He wouldn’t leave, she knew, but it was okay. She needed him.

“Married,” he
r father
squeaked.

“Yes. I thought I should tell you now since I don’t know when I’ll be seeing you again.” Then, a startling realization pierced through her anger. She sucked in a breath. “Did you come here to see Molly?”

“What? No!”

“Why then?”

“I wanted to tell you I was sorry.” His eyes closed. “I really am sorry you got cheated out of a father. I’d like to make it up to you. I’m trying to change, for you. I came to the warehouse, but the cops were there and—” His eyes darted to Gideon. “Well, you didn’t need me after all.”

Her heart didn’t want to care. But she couldn’t close him out so completely. Once, he loved her and once he cared. Maybe they could find a middle ground and be friends.

“Are you leaving Chicago?”

“Not anytime soon.”

“Do you want to go to d
inner some time?” Rebecca asked
. “With us?”

He looked up with tears brimming. “I’d like that.”

Later, she watched him walk away as she had many times in her life. There was no hurt this time because she knew that no matter what, she had people here who did care for her and love her. She turned her face into Gideon’s neck and smothered a laugh.

“What’s funny?” His arms came around her like she knew they would.

“I was just thinking. I want to go find
The Dance
and frame it.”

“We could do that.”

“It’s worth everything because somehow, it brought me to you. I love you, Gideon.” On tip-toes, she found his mouth again and let herself believe.

L
ook for Colin Avery’s story coming soon!

A
uthor, Kadi Dillon was born and raised in a small town in Oklahoma. She comes from a big family who made following her dream easy. As a writer, Kadi creates romance and romantic suspense stories with real and inspiring characters. She still lives close to home with her husband and two boys.

Titles by Kadi Dillon

Have a Little Faith (2011)

Storm Warning (2011)

Paradise (2012)

Dancing with Deception (2012)

Coming Soon

Sanctuary (2012)

Southern Flames (2012)