1022 Evergreen Place - Debbie Macomber [43]
In retrospect, she thought she understood why she’d reacted to him the way she had that first night. Chad had been wonderful, listening to her, offering encouragement and support. That time with him had been like finding a lifeboat after losing the safety of the ship. She’d told him everything, about the death of her parents, the search for her birth family, her doubt and anguish. She’d bared her soul to this man who was virtually a stranger.
The doorbell chimed. Gloria closed her eyes, took a deep breath and let Chad into her apartment.
“Hi,” he said with an easy grin. He was casually but smartly dressed in a well-fitting beige sports jacket and a blue shirt that reflected the color of his eyes—deep blue with dark lashes. Gloria knew other women found him attractive, too. But his appeal went far beyond his all-American good looks. He exuded confidence and genuine charisma.
Gloria managed a return smile. “Hi. Would you like to come in for a few minutes?”
“Sure.” He stepped inside the apartment and shrugged off his jacket, draping it over the sofa arm. “I’m glad you agreed to dinner.”
A thousand times since, she’d wondered what had possessed her to say yes. He frightened her, intrigued her and mystified her, all at once. She’d never wanted to see him again and yet she was convinced to the very marrow of her bones that if he walked out of her life, she’d always regret letting him go.
Her hands felt moist and she rubbed her palms against her thighs.
“I’m not going to bite, you know,” Chad said, grinning again.
She blinked. “Do I look that tense?”
“Yes,” he said with a chuckle. “Sit down.”
Being a good hostess demanded that she ask him if he’d like a drink first. “Wine? I have both red and white. The white’s from New Zealand. Roy recommended it.” She couldn’t quite think of him—or refer to him—as her father.
“That sounds nice.”
Gloria was grateful for something to do. She made a beeline for the kitchen and got the bottle of sauvignon blanc from the fridge. Taking two glasses from the cupboard next to her sink, she deftly filled them and carried them into the living room.
Chad, watching the view from her front window, turned as she approached.
Gloria handed him a glass and squared her shoulders. “I’d like to start over, if we could.”
“Start over? You mean you want to forget our first date?”
She didn’t blush often, but she did now. Lowering her gaze to the carpet, she nodded. “Please.”
Holding his wineglass, Chad turned back to the window that overlooked Sinclair Inlet. “I don’t know if I can. I treasure that night. I always will.”
“It won’t be repeated, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
He faced her again. “I don’t think it could be,” he said softly. “I met the most incredibly warm, beautiful woman that night.”
She was embarrassed by what he’d said. “I’ve never done anything like that in my life.”
“And I have?” he countered.
“I…I wouldn’t know. I don’t know you. We don’t know each other.”
“Ah, but we do,” he insisted. “You’re Gloria Ashton and you’re generous, loving, courageous—”
“If I’m so courageous, then why am I shaking like a leaf?” She held out her hand so he could see how just being close to him made her tremble.
“But you agreed to see me again.”
“I didn’t feel I had a choice,” she blurted out.
“No, you didn’t,” he said. “And I had no choice but to keep asking you. I fell in love with you that night, Gloria. Why else would I stand up to the kind of rejection you constantly threw at me?”
“You can’t love me,” she told him sharply. These were the very words she’d been afraid he’d say. “You don’t even know me.”
“Why are you fighting me so hard?” He set his wineglass on the coffee table and moved to her side. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he stared down at her.
Although it was difficult, she met his eyes.
“Okay,” he finally said. “If you want to start again, we will.” He dropped his arms. “Hello, my name is Chad Timmons.” He held out one hand in a gesture of mock solemnity.
“Gloria,” she said. Her voice was