“Thanks.”
He walked to her office, his steps slow and measured. Lord, please see me through this. He stopped outside her door, garnering courage. He inhaled. Exhaled. Then walked in.
Michelle was watching the doorway as if waiting for his entrance. He could feel his heart thumping so hard, he was afraid it would show through his uniform.
She looked beautiful.
She looked sad.
Don’t give in. Remember what she did. He cleared his throat and held up the sticky note.
She eyed him warily. “Last time you came in with a note it was regarding the whereabouts of Chloe’s father.”
“This time it’s regarding her half-sister.”
Her mouth dropped and she stood. She snatched the note out of his hand. The orange scent of her perfume wrapped around him. He wanted to reach out and touch her, but knew it would be his undoing. He fisted his hand and shoved it into his pocket.
“How did you get this. Are you saying she’s here?” She held up the sticky note as she peppered him with questions.
“She just left my office. Told me this long, convoluted story of how she suspected she had a half-sister. Apparently, the dad’s not saying anything. She wanted to check Chloe out for herself. I told her, if I even knew who she was, I’d pass the information along. I thought it would be better coming from you.”
He met her gaze and hers roamed over his face. He was sure she wanted to say more, but a look of resignation passed over her face.
“Thank you.” A professional tone entered her voice. “I’ll tell her.”
“She’ll need you.”
“Right.” She nodded and quickly turned away, but it wasn’t fast enough.
Guy saw tears well up before she managed to avert her eyes. He stepped forward. “Michelle.” Why was his voice so husky?
“Yes?” She refused to meet his gaze.
He swallowed. “The girls like their room.”
“Good.”
They miss you. I miss you. But he couldn’t say that. He wasn’t sure he even liked her anymore. “Well, thanks again. If Chloe has questions, she can contact me.”
She nodded but never once turned around. He heaved a sigh, then left.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Michelle stared at the wall, the note gripped in her hand. He didn’t love her. She couldn’t get past the cool look he had given her. And he sure made it obvious he was there strictly for business.
She drew in a breath, trying to keep her heart from shattering. It didn’t matter that his mother forgave her. He didn’t. Michelle closed her eyes, remembering the steps she had taken to forgive herself. Just this morning, she had whispered Scripture to herself to assure her she was forgiven. That she had a right to happiness.
But one look from Guy had shattered her hopes. If she couldn’t be with him, how could she be happy? She looked down at the note. Chloe’s sister was here. In Freedom Lake. At the B&B. She had to tell Chloe and she needed to do it now.
Lord, please give me the words. I pray this helps her instead of harming her. And please heal my broken heart.
She walked out of her office and stopped in front of Tanya’s desk. “Hey, Tanya, I’ll be next door at Chloe’s. If anything important happens you can come find me, otherwise just let people know I’ll return their calls.”
“Sure. Is everything okay, boss?” Tanya searched her gaze.
Michelle appreciated her concern, but was in no way ready to share her feelings. She offered a smile, feeling the falseness shine through. “It will be.” With a wave, she walked next door and entered.
Immediately the yellow color scheme calmed her. She could do this. At least she could help Chloe, even if she couldn’t help herself.
“Hey, Chelle.”
“Hey, Chlo.”
Chloe smiled and set down her colored pencil. “What brings you by? Want to do lunch?”
“I’m not very hungry.” She glanced at her watch. Huh, it was lunch time.
Chloe’s brow wrinkled. “You have to eat, sweetie. Don’t let life get you down.”
She sat down in the chair and studied her friend. “He doesn’t want anything to do with me.”
“Have you two talked recently?”
Michelle had poured out her heartbreak to Jo and Chloe after her confession. “Yes. But it was strictly business.”
Chloe frowned. “Do you want me to talk to him?”
“No,” she shouted. She cleared her throat. “No, it’s all right.” She waved a hand in the air. “But that’s not why I came over. I have news for you.”
“For me?”
She took a deep breath. Here goes nothing. “One of your sisters is here.”
Chloe’s eyes widened and her mouth parted.
“She’s looking for you. She went to the Sheriff’s department looking for you.” She passed Chloe the sticky note. “She’s at the B&B. That’s her cell number.”
Chloe slowly reached for it. “She wants to see me?”
Michelle’s heart melted at the emotions in Chloe’s tone. She sounded hopeful yet scared. “She does.”
Chloe stared at her. “Will you go with me?”
“Definitely. Let’s get Jo to come too.”
Chloe nodded, then met her gaze, her dark brown eyes shimmering. “Thanks, Chelle.”
“You’re welcome, my friend.”
MICHELLE PULLED UP to the B&B driveway and put her coupe in park. She looked at Chloe. “You ready?”
Chloe smiled nervously. “I think so.”
Jo sat forward, sticking her head between the two front seats. “We’re here for you. You can handle this, Chlo.”
“I love you guys.”
“Love you too, girl,” Michelle replied, as Jo echoed the sentiment.
Chloe reached for the door handle and opened the car.
Lord, please let this go well.
Michelle followed her friends up the walkway and up the front porch. She turned and stared at the lake. The blossoms were beginning to fade and the greenery had slowly emerged. Could it be a sign for better times? Or would the summer heat just bring misery?
The door opened and there stood Mrs. Carter, Evan’s mother. “Hey, girls, what brings you by?”
“Um, I was told a Jamie Davenport was staying here. She was asking about me.”
Mrs. Carter motioned them forward. “Oh, you’re the guest Jamie’s been hoping to see.”
Michelle could tell Mrs. Carter wanted to know how
