Just for the Summer (15 page)

Chapter Fifteen

Matt pushed through his back door, dropping his keys on the counter. He shuffled into
the kitchen and sank into a chair. He crossed his arms on the table. The rooster clock
ticked away the seconds.

He’d hurt Dani. He knew that. He thought on some level she would understand. And understanding
meant forgiveness. Didn’t it? Did he stand a chance in gaining her forgiveness for
the horrible things he’d said to her? Could he make her understand that each of them
had made mistakes because they both loved the same little boy?

He swiped his hands through his bristled hair. He had to make this right. If not for
himself, then for Sam. Matt may have lost her love, but it didn’t mean his son had
to.

Sam entered the kitchen and plopped down in a seat across from Matt. “Whatcha doing?”

“Thinking.”

“About Dani?”

“Yeah, about Dani.”

Sam fiddled with the lacing on his ball glove. “I love her.”

Matt focused on his son. He loved her. Wasn’t that the bottom line? Wasn’t that the
most important thing? “I do too, Sam.”

“What are we gonna do?”

Matt straightened his spine and let out a sigh. “Don’t know.”

“You better come up with something good.”

Matt smiled. “I think I’ve got a plan. But first, bud, there’s something I need to
tell you about Dani.”

…

Early the next morning, with her pulse beating a steady rhythm behind her eyes, Dani
shoved another carton into the cargo area of her SUV. She was working on too few hours
of sleep and a headache from one too many glasses of wine. A few more boxes and she’d
be done. She’d drive away from Lake Bliss and the people she adored.

After one last look through the cottage, she made her way back to her car. Driving
was the last thing she wanted to do, especially with her head feeling like it might
explode at any minute. But she had to get away. She’d drive a few towns over and find
a place to spend the night before continuing the rest of the way home tomorrow.

Keeping her eyes straight ahead, Dani made her way past the bungalows. She drove toward
town, berating herself. She’d known better than to get involved with Matt. Sometimes
for an intelligent woman, she could be amazingly stupid. How could she think that
his love for her would be stronger than her deception? She’d been wrong. And she’d
lost Sam in the process.

With her eyes clouded with tears, she drove past the sheriff’s office and the pizza
parlor. Places where she’d had fun with Rachel. Where she’d been with Matt and Sam.

She made her way through town en route to the highway. The truck in front of her slowed
and Dani caught a glimpse of a commotion up ahead. Cars were scattered across both
lanes. Emergency lights flashed, and people gathered in small groups.

Dani cursed under her breath. The road was blocked. Was there a parade? A car accident?
Either situation meant there was the very real possibility of Matt being on the scene.

The traffic stopped, and Dani pulled out her cell phone. Hopefully, GPS would give
her an alternate route to the highway. She used a fast-food napkin to swipe at her
eyes and nose. Heavy footsteps sounded on the asphalt right outside her window. She
glanced away from her phone.

The deputy who had given her the parking ticket on her first day in town stood with
his thumbs tucked into his utility belt a few feet away.

Too bad for him that she wasn’t in the mood to deal. She shoved her door open, then
stomped over to stand in front of him. Arms crossed over her chest, she looked at
him through narrowed eyes.

“Don’t get your panties in a knot.” She waved a hand in the direction of the barricade.
“Obviously, I’m not parked here. No ticket necessary.”

“Roadblock ahead, ma’am.” He looked like he wanted to smile.

She fought the urge to kick him in the shins. “You looking for somebody armed and
dangerous?”

He seemed to think about that for a second. “Doubtful.”

“Well, you and your cop friends are blocking my way out of town.”

“Yes, ma’am. Orders of the sheriff.”

She clenched and unclenched her hands. Took another step closer to the deputy. “Really.
Well I’ve got a message you can give him.”

“No need, ma’am. You can tell him yourself. He’s standing right behind you.”

Dani did an about-face.

The deputy was dead-on. Matt stood there with a dimpled grin.

She tensed, her breathing momentarily halted. “How the hell can I leave when you’ve
set up a roadblock?”

He crossed his arms and leaned against her car. “Guess you can’t.”

“I’m not in the mood to play games, Sheriff.”

“Neither am I.” He looked past her and winked at someone.

“Dani?”

Sam.
She squeezed her eyes shut and bowed her head. It wasn’t possible for her to see him
or talk to him; it would mean saying good-bye again, and she’d never survive another
farewell. She sent Matt a pleading look.

“It’s okay.” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “Turn around.”

Her heart kicked up a beat. Both Sam and Matt were here. To ask her to stay? No. She
refused to listen to her pitiful heart. This time, her head was in charge, and it
told her Matt just wanted to make sure she left town, and he wanted to make sure it
hurt.

With a guarded motion, Dani turned around. She slowly lowered her eyes to Sam. She
swallowed hard, feeling like a rock was stuck in her throat.

Sam wore freshly pressed khakis and a short-sleeved, button-down shirt, and he sported
a recent haircut. In his child-sized hands he carried a huge bouquet of summer flowers.
Larry was by his side, a bright red kerchief tied around his neck.

Tears burned her eyes. This would be the picture of him she’d keep in her heart for
the rest of her life.

Sam offered her the bouquet. “My dad says moms like to get flowers from their little
boys.”

She drew in a ragged breath.
Sam knows.
He knew she was his mother. The realization brought her to her knees. She crushed
Sam and the flowers against her. Larry stuck his nose in the blooms.

Matt had given her the gift of a lifetime.

She couldn’t think straight, couldn’t catch her breath. Was this real? Had she heard
Sam correctly? Dani’s gaze shot to Matt. He nodded and smiled at her.

“If you don’t like the flowers, we could get different ones,” Sam said.

Dani laughed out a sob. “Oh, honey, they’re the most beautiful flowers I’ve ever seen.
Thank you.” She pulled back and laid a hand on his cheek. “Sam, I love you. I always
have.”

“I love you too…Mom.”

Road gravel bit into the skin of her knees, but her mind was so full of happiness,
she didn’t care. She rested her hands on his shoulders. “I can’t believe it. Oh, I
can’t believe it.” Once again, she pulled him in for a hug. Dani’s heart soared. “I’m
so sorry I didn’t tell you who I was right from the beginning. I wasn’t being honest
with you and your dad, and that was wrong of me.”

“I’m like my dad. We believe in second chances.” Sam attempted a wink, which looked
more like he had something in his eye. “Plus, I like that you’re my real mom.”

“And I’m proud that you’re my son, honey.”

“Can I tell the guys I’ve got a mom?” Sam flashed her the grin—only half-filled with
teeth—she’d committed to memory.

Matt stepped up behind Sam. “If it’s okay with Dani, it’s okay with me.”

She nodded.

Sam took a few steps away, paused, and turned back to Dani. “Sons give their moms
kisses.”

She smiled through her tears. “I can’t think of anything more wonderful.”

He gave her a peck and then took off running. “Hey guys. I’ve got a real mom!”

Dani looked in Sam’s direction. A huge group of people stood off to one side. It looked
like half the town was here.

She turned to Matt. His eyes gleamed with amusement. “Word got out about my plan.
Nobody wanted to miss the action. I figured since I was using taxpayer money for the
deputies and roadblock, I couldn’t tell them to stay home.” He helped her to her feet.

“I’ll never be able to thank you enough. What made you decide to tell him who I was?”

“I know how much you love him. Every child deserves to know a parent who cares so
much.” Matt took her hand. “I don’t believe that you came here to take him away from
me.”

“No, I’d never do that. Never.”

“I know. I trust you. And I won’t stand in your way if you want to have a relationship
with Sam. I’m not quite ready for him to go out of town. If you visit here—or maybe
want to live here—you can see him as much as you’d like.”

She raised a shaky hand to her forehead. “Thank you.” Her voice choked with tears.

He guided her off the highway to stand by the brim of the road. “There’re a few more
things I need to say.”

“Matt—”

“No, it’s my turn. You talked yesterday. Today, I want you to listen to what I have
to say.” He moved closer. “Dani, sweetheart, you told me that I pitied you. You’re
wrong. I don’t pity you. I admire you. You’re a beautiful, intelligent, funny, passionate
woman, and I’m thankful you came into my life. You’re a gift to me and Sam. I know
I can be a good father without a woman in my life. But that’s not the life I want.”

Dani swiped at her eyes.

“I had it wrong. Some lies of omission are meant to protect rather than to hurt. You
loved your son enough—and respected me enough—that you didn’t want us upset at your
identity. I get it.” Matt’s voice was hoarse when he spoke. “There are so many emotions
I feel for you. There’s lust and passion, but also love so powerful that I can’t imagine
living the rest of my life without you. No woman has ever meant as much to me as you,
and I’d be a fool to let you get away.”

Dani opened her mouth to speak, but Matt didn’t give her the chance.

“I know I’m capable of being an idiot.” He flashed her an apologetic look. “I’ve proved
it several times to you. But the things we did were all because of the love we feel
for Sam. For that, I think we can forgive each other and move forward. What do you
think?”

Dani bit her bottom lip. Her heart kept up its irregular beat. “I think we were in
a terrible situation neither one of us asked for. I’d go through everything again—even
the horrible things—because it all led me here to you.” She reached out, finally touching
him like she’d wanted to.

“I’m a firm believer in fate. It’s brought me here to you. I love you, Matt. No matter
what happens, no matter where I go in life, I’ll love you every day.”

He reached in his pocket, pulled out a folded piece of paper, and handed it to her.
“I wanted to get your opinion on a recipe I created.”

She swiped at another tear and smiled. “I’m pretty much done with
A Taste of Bliss
. Did you want this included in the cookbook?”

“I’ll let you decide.” He nodded his head in the paper’s direction. “Go ahead, see
what you think. Sam helped. Larry, too.”

She opened the paper and began to read.

Recipe For A Lifetime of Love

Recipe yields one happy family. Serves three or more.

Ingredients
:

One amazing woman I can’t live without

One man who loves you with his entire heart and soul

Fold in one lively eight-year-old boy who loves his mother and father

Add one stray dog

1 Tbs. of sassiness

Kisses to taste

Dash of humor

Two bands of gold

Directions
:

Combine all ingredients until blended to become one. Heat thoroughly with passion.
Love and nurture for an eternity.

Optional
: Additional ingredients when desired.

Dani focused on the man in front of her. He wanted to marry her. Wanted the three
of them to become a family. She sniffed a couple of times. His thumb whisked away
her tears. “I think it’s the best recipe I’ve ever seen.” With her fingertip, she
smoothed the worry lines from between his eyebrows. “Everything I’ve ever wanted,
ever needed, is wrapped up in you and Sam.”

Matt bowed his head and took a stiff breath. “I look at you, Dani, and see all that
you’ve been through, all you’ve become, and I can’t help but to be moved by you. In
my heart, I know it doesn’t get any better than this.” He nodded toward the recipe.
“What do you think, Ms. Sullivan? Feel like you’re due for a name change? Dani Reagan
sounds pretty sexy to me.”

“I do like the sound of it.”

“Marry me, Dani. Let me make you happy every day for the rest of my life.”

Her summer had started right here at the lake, with her only hope to catch a glimpse
of her son’s life. Who would have thought a few months later, she’d be receiving a
marriage proposal and the chance to be a full-time mother to her son? Of course, she’d
need to check out the positions at the hospital Matt had mentioned, but she still
had enough savings to hold her over if there weren’t any immediate openings.

“You’ve got yourself a deal, Sheriff. Now…let’s go home.”

Matt stood and punched his fist in the air. “She said yes!” he yelled to the town.

Sam shouted, Larry ran around barking. And the crowd went wild.

About the Author

Jenna Rutland writes contemporary stories of love, laughter and happily ever after.
Her days are spent working as a medical transcriptionist, while her nights are filled
with wreaking havoc on her characters before giving them their walk-into-the-sunset
moment.

Jenna lives in a small Michigan community with her husband, son and senior cat. Her
daughter and son-in-law have recently given Jenna the awesome title of grandmother!

She is a member of RWA and is active in her local chapter.

In addition to spending time with her family, Jenna enjoys reading and gardening,
and loves the challenge of a new recipe.