Page 55 of Winning Back His Wife
It was taking her a long time to answer. Too long.
Cullen stood, disgusted with himself for thinking they might stand a chance. “I’m going to buy some chocolate while you think about it.”
* * *
You still want a divorce, right?
If today was the benchmark for the future, then no, Sarah didn’t. She tapped the pencil so fast against the table she might as well have picked up Cullen’s and done a drum roll. But one day didn’t make a marriage. Nor did two, the amount of time they’d spent together before eloping.
Even if things went well, how long would it be before Cullen realized he could do better or got tired of her and took off?
She dropped her pencil. Probably not long.
The sooner she could get out of here the better.
And she didn’t mean this shop.
Carly walked up to the table with a big smile on her face. “It’s so good to see you and Cullen here.”
Hannah joined them. “I can’t believe how much better you look. You’re glowing.”
“Thanks.” Sarah didn’t want to have to smile and make conversation with Cullen’s friends who knew more about her marriage—make that the end of her marriage—than she did. But these women had become her friends, too. She could smile at them. And did. “The doctor’s pleased with my progress.”
Carly winked. “The good doctor seems very happy.”
“The two of you look great together,” Hannah said. “Seems like more is healing than your injuries.”
Sarah pressed her toes into the ground so hard she was sure she’d split one of the floorboards. She understood these two women believed in a forever kind of love. They meant well, but she didn’t know how to answer them. “Anything can happen.”
She hoped that satisfied them.
“Especially here in Hood Hamlet,” Hannah said.
Carly beamed. “Christmas magic in June.”
Sarah had no idea what Carly was talking about. “Magic doesn’t exist. It’s nothing more than an illusion.”
The two women shared a look.
“Of course you feel that way now. You’re a scientist,” Hannah said. “But after you’ve been in Hood Hamlet awhile, you’ll change your mind.”
Carly nodded. “It happens to everyone. Including Cullen.”
Sarah remembered he’d mentioned Christmas magic when they’d arrived in town, but this was too woo-woo for her analytical brain. Magic no more existed than did everlasting love.
A good thing. She couldn’t allow herself to be lured in by any yearning, whether it was to believe in magic or in love or a happily-ever-after. “I won’t be in town long enough for that to happen.”
“It doesn’t look like Cullen’s ready to send you back yet,” Carly said.
Hannah nodded. “You have more healing to do.”
“I do.” But that wouldn’t change her beliefs. She was a scientist grounded in fact. She had to stand firm. If she weren’t careful, if she allowed herself to believe, her heart could be obliterated.
She glanced over at Cullen, wishing he would hurry so she could escape the scrutiny of his friends. But he was engrossed in a conversation with Jake, Garrett and Christian.
Cullen’s gaze caught hers. The happiness in his eyes did painful things to her stomach that had nothing to do with her surgical incision or broken ribs. She struggled to breathe.
What was going on? The man had filed for divorce, and he still had this effect on her? A divorce she’d brought up, a little voice taunted.
Regret assailed her.
She looked back at the two women, who hadn’t missed the exchange. Their enthusiastic smiles suggested they might think the divorce had been put on the back burner.
Sarah opened her mouth to clarify things, but no words came out.
This surprise was turning into a nightmare. She wanted to go home—strike that, back to the cabin—and hide away in her—the guest—bedroom until he had to go to work or on a mission.
Cullen walked over. He held up a white bag with gold lettering. “I’ve got the chocolate.”
Good. Sarah could scarf down the entire bag once she was in her room. She stood, eager to escape this place.
“I don’t know if you have dinner plans for tonight, but we’d love for you to join us,” Hannah said, much to Sarah’s regret. “Jake and Carly are coming over with Nicole, so this will be a kid-friendly menu. Nothing fancy, just lasagna.”
“Sarah loves lasagna,” Cullen said.
She was touched he remembered and annoyed he’d bring it up now. She forced a feeble smile.
“I’m bringing dessert,” Carly added.
Cullen looked at Sarah. “What do you say?”
