Secretly Smitten (34 page)

As much as it pained her to see her mother and aunt argue, her mother’s words about trust cut her to the core. Zoe came over and steered her Grandma Rose off in another direction to talk, so Anna sat back down next to Michael and explained what was going on. His understanding soothed her nerves and gave her the resolve she needed.

“Michael,” she began tentatively. “I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”

“Ask me anything.”

“Well, we’ve never said that we were dating exclusively, but . . . this is awkward.”

He took her hand. “What are you asking, Anna?”

“Why do I, um, see you with Heather DeMeritt a lot?”

Michael shifted in his seat, looking uncomfortable, and Anna’s heart sank. So it was true. He was seeing Heather. She struggled to breathe.

He held her gaze. “I do meet with Heather quite often, but not for what you think.”

“Oh?” She held on to her flagging hope.

He sat there a moment, saying nothing. Then he sighed. “I had hoped not to tell anyone this, but I don’t want to keep secrets from you.”

She took encouragement from his words. “Yes?”

“You remember the Parakaleo Pal? The person who helps children and single moms?”

Realization dawned. “It’s you?”

He nodded. “Heather works with single moms in the community. She sees who’s in need and tells me so that I can get toys for the kids, grocery money to the mom, that sort of thing. I handle it through Heather so they don’t know it’s from me. You know, that whole “don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” thing.”

Guilt tinged Anna’s heart for not trusting him. She should’ve known the kind of man he was. She squeezed his hand. “That’s so like you, Michael.”

He grinned, a teasing light in his eyes. “So you thought I was seeing Heather? Anna, she’s young enough to be my daughter.”

It was going to be all right. More than all right. “You’re a good-looking man. I can see how she’d be interested in you.” Anna smiled back at him.

He glanced toward the entrance. “Well, my son might have something to say about that.”

Anna followed his gaze and saw Christopher walking through the door with Heather on his arm.

“Christopher and Heather are dating?” Joy erupted in Anna’s heart. Or was it relief?

“Yep. Getting along pretty well too. Listen, I told Christopher about the Parakaleo Pal thing, and now you know. But no one else does, and I’d like to keep it that way, okay?”

“Absolutely. Your secret is safe with me.” She smiled.

“Want to dance?”

“Sure.”

Michael swept Anna onto the dance floor. She nestled against his chest as Sawyer sang the song he’d introduced last year, “Smitten.” Her heart had never been so light and carefree. Michael wasn’t dating Heather. They were exclusive. She was exclusively his. And they shared a secret. A good secret. Magic was in the air.

“Anna,” he whispered. “I’ve fallen in love with you.”

Could this really be happening? Michael’s words permeated every part of her being. He loved her. Michael Conners loved her.

“I love you too, Michael. And you know what? I’ve been keeping a secret from you too. Well, more like a surprise,” she said. “Something fun.”

He pulled his head back and searched her face. “Oh?” A glint of pleasure flickered in his eyes.

“Tomorrow. Can I meet you at the ski resort tomorrow after work?”

“Oh, a woman of mystery. I like that.” He grinned and pulled her close again. “I can’t wait.”

As much as Anna didn’t want to get involved, she had to stop by to see if her mom and her aunt were all right. She had a little time before meeting Michael at the ski resort. The air was fresh with the smell of winter and burning wood from a nearby home. Anna took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

Dressed in a bright red pullover and polyester tan pants, Aunt Violet opened her front door. “What are you doing here?” She didn’t look all that happy to see Anna.

“May I come in?”

“Your mom isn’t here.”

“That’s all right. I want to see you.”

Aunt Violet stepped aside. “I figured the whole family would shun me.” Tears filled her eyes.

Anna’s heart squeezed. “Oh, Aunt Vi, we still love you.” Anna hugged the older woman. “You did what you thought was right at the time.”

They stepped away from the door and walked over to the living room sofa and sat down.

Aunt Vi twisted a handkerchief between her fingers. “I’m so sorry I hurt Rose. I was a foolish kid. She was married, and I thought . . . Well, it doesn’t matter now. I’ve made a mess of things.”

“Mom will come around. She’s just hurting right now.”

A pensive look settled on Aunt Vi’s face. “She thinks I was trying to steal what was hers because I didn’t have a man in my life. I thought I cared about David, but that was so long ago it feels like another lifetime. Being single works for me. I’ve managed just fine.”

“Yes, you have.”

They sat in the silence for a bit.

“I just wanted you to know I love you and that we’ll get through this—though it may take some time,” Anna said.

They talked a little longer, then Anna left, thanking God for giving her the strength to deal with the conflict and praying all the while he would make their family stronger because of it.

Anna’s breath came out in cold puffs by the time she arrived at the foot of the bunny hill. Sunshine lingered, though twilight pushed it deeper into the horizon. Anna’s spirits were high. The lodge was serving dinner; the air smelled of grilled steak and French fries.

She carefully skied over to the rope tow and began her ascent up the hill—and promptly fell down with a plop. Heat climbed her cheeks as she struggled to her feet, but the skis beneath her would not hold still. A little kid came over and held out his hand. He managed to get her to her feet, but once he walked away she fell forward and went careening wildly down the hill.

She fell on her backside three-quarters of the way down the hill and slid the rest of the way, stopping inches from Michael’s feet. Covered with snow, she took his outstretched hand and stood, struggling to keep her balance. Michael grinned and wrapped his arms tight around her.

“It means so much to me that you tried to do that. But just so you know, I love you even if you never ski with me.”

“If it weren’t for wanting to impress you, I’d probably never have gone beyond the coffee shop in the lodge.”

His lips grazed her forehead. “And I love you for it.” He gently let her go, making sure she was steady on her skis. Then a serious expression shadowed his face. He reached into his pocket.

Anna gasped when he pulled out a small black box. “Michael?”

He searched her face, then bent to one knee. “Anna, you have been such a blessing from God. I never thought I’d find love again until I met you. I love you, Anna Thomas, and will till my last breath. Will you marry me?”

Tears filled her eyes. Michael was everything she could hope for in a man. He’d proven himself time and again.

“Yes,” she said with a smile.
Don’t fall. Don’t fall.

Michael took the glove off her hand, then pulled the ring out of the box and slipped it onto her finger. “With God’s help, I will spend the rest of my life making you happy.”

Tears spilled down her cheeks. “Now look. I’m crying, and my mascara is going to run.”

He laughed. “Trust me, you’ve never looked more beautiful.” He stood and embraced her once again, making her feel loved and protected.

“I do trust you,” she said, meaning it. “And I love you more than you know.”

Somehow they would make it. Michael had taught her to trust and to love again. Anna Thomas was smitten, and she knew with Michael by her side her life would never be the same.

CHAPTER ONE

C
lare Thomas smoothed out the hardwood mulch, spreading it under the newly planted hostas. Partridgeberry now carpeted her mother’s flower bed with green, but soon it would bloom with fragrant white flowers, and its red fruit would add a splash of color come fall.

The realization that it looked ten times better than it had three hours ago soothed her wounded spirit.

Anna Thomas dumped the last load of mulch from the wheelbarrow. “That should do it.” She blew her long bangs from her face, picked up the shovel, and spread the load with the vigor of someone half her age.

“It looks beautiful, girls.” Clare’s sister Tess set a tray of iced lemonade on the porch table. Her blue eyes were lit with a joy that only comes from new love.

Not that Clare knew anything about that.

“Thank goodness we’re almost done.” Her younger sister, Zoe, pulled off her pink garden gloves and appraised the sky. “Looks like it’s about to rain.”

Clare breathed in the scent of loamy dirt and rain, hoping the organic fragrance would relieve her unrest. “Smells like it too.”

“God’s going to water my new plants,” Anna said. “Isn’t he thoughtful?”

Oh yeah, all was coming up roses now that everyone was in love. Everyone but her. Clare chided herself for the selfish thought. She was happy for her sisters, thrilled for her mom. Still, they all had romance and candlelit dinners and kisses, and she had . . .

Plants.

She set down the rake and frowned at the garden. This wasn’t the way she’d imagined it. She was almost thirty, for pity’s sake. Where were her husband, her two-point-five children, her devoted golden retriever? Okay, so she had the dog part covered, but still.