Feelings of anger and betrayal flooded her all over again, but Prue suppressed them
She needed to remember things clearly.
The womanâs arm had been straight, as though she was pushing on Gideonâs chest. Pushing him down? Pushing him away? But what had he been doing? Had he simply tried to push her off him and his hand had connected with her breast?
Prue punched the pillow. She couldnât believe that. She was obviously desperate to make it seem as though he had a defense. So, why was she doing it?
Because Gideonâs kindness now made her second-guess herself. She had to get some sleep. Tomorrow she had to play the role of loving wife. Curiously, that role had seemed easier to undertake when Gideon was her enemy.
Now that she wasnât so sure she hated him, acting as though she loved him would be dangerous.
PRUDENCE HALE THOUGHT later that she should have known it was all too good to last. Her first line of clothes had been a tremendous success at the fashion show to benefit the Maple Hill Library. Sheâd made a small fortune for them and for herself.
And as she stood in the parking lot of the Breakfast Barn Restaurant, along with a crowd of other nosy onlookers, watching her sister Paris and Randy Sanfordâthe townâs favorite EMTâkiss and make up with embarrassing sincerity, she thought the morning could not be more perfect. After a difficult courtship, the two were reconciled at last.
Life was good and moving forward on most levels.
Then Prue heard a deep voice say, âHello, Prue.â
Air seemed to leave her lungs and her pulse stalled.
No, she thought. Not when Iâm finally on the right track. Not after this long, dark year when at last Iâm living my life and not his. Please!
She turned slowly to discover that all her prayers had been denied. There he was. Gideon.
She didnât know what shocked her most, the sight of his handsome face in the town that had been her comfort and haven since the Maine Incident, or the fact that he was in the company of Hank Whitcomb, one of Maple Hillâs foremost employers.
What was he doing here? Her pulse had picked up again, but old emotion was a hard lump in her chest. She didnât want to talk about the breakup, she didnât want to think about her loss, she didnât want to hear it all hashed over again. She just wanted to sign divorce papers and get him out of her life.
Of course, she hadnât filed them yet. And, apparently, neither had he.
She had a hopeful thought. Maybe thatâs why he was here.
As everyone else streamed back into the restaurant, he came toward her.
She squared her shoulders and met his dark gaze as he closed the space between them.
She could admit that Gideon was exceptionally handsome. He had brown eyes, a straight nose and a mouth that used to laugh often but had lost that skill while he was in the state senate. He was tall and big with a personality to match.
Smaller than average herself, Prue had found his size intimidating at first, until sheâd observed his kindness and compassion and his complete dedication to the people he served.
Curious, she thought, that the very things about him that had made her fall in love had become a sore spot between them when theyâd continually kept him away from her.
She smiled just a little in an attempt to convince him that, even when surprised, she was a woman of style and composure. That hadnât been true in the old days.
Well, it wasnât really true now, but she could pretend.
âHello, Gideon,â she said, hands in the pockets of a red wool jacket. She didnât want him to think she was willing to shake hands or otherwise touch. âWhat are you doing at the Barn?â
He indicated Paris, who stood nearby, hand in hand with Randy.
âI called a cab from the airport,â he replied, âand Paris picked me up. I had no idea she operated a taxi service. I thought she was in law school.â
Prue shook her head, the small smile still in place. âA lot has changed for her and for me in the last year.â
He nodded once. âI see that. Anyway, we were happy to see each other, I asked her how things were going for her and she started to cry. So I suggested we go somewhere for coffee, she brought me here, andâ¦wellâ¦â He swept a hand at the few stragglers in the parking lot making their way back inside. âRandy showed up, she ran off, he chased her, everyone came out to watch⦠Some town this is. Donât you guys have television?â