A Baby and a Betrothal by Michelle Major Read Free Book Online Page A

much as everyone in this community needed her, at the end of the day Katie was alone. Alone and afraid that if she didn’t make herself useful, they’d toss her aside. It was irrational, she knew, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself from believing it. Without the bakery and her volunteering and offers to help wherever it was needed, where would she be? Who would want her—who would love her—if she didn’t have something to give them?
    Could Noah possibly understand? And if he did, how could she ever look at him again?
    He paced to the edge of the porch and back. “When was the last time you saw your parents?”
    Her mouth dropped open and she clapped it shut again. “Two summers ago. They had a layover in Denver. Dad had just finished an Ironman in Europe.”
    â€œThey didn’t come to Crimson?”
    She shook her head. “He wanted to get back to his business. His coaching business has exploded in the past few years. He still races but spends more time training other elite athletes.” He continued to watch her, so she added, “Mom and Dad haven’t been here since my grandma’s funeral.”
    â€œSo no one in your family has seen the changes you’ve made to the bakery? How successful you’ve made it.”
    â€œIt was successful when Gram ran it.”
    â€œNot to the level it is now. Do your parents have any idea?”
    â€œThey wanted me to sell the shop and the house after Gram died. Mom never liked me working at the bakery. You know that.” She smoothed a hand across her stomach. “She didn’t think it was good for me to be near all that sugary temptation. She was afraid I’d get fat again.”
    â€œYou weren’t fat.”
    She almost smiled, but the memory of so many years of being ashamed about her weight and having every mouthful of food analyzed by her mother drained any wistful humor she felt about the past. “You don’t remember when I first moved to Crimson. By the time you started dating Tori in high school, I was halfway to the goal weight my parents set for me.”
    â€œI remember you just fine.” Noah shrugged. “I just never saw you like that.”
    Katie suppressed a sigh. Was it any wonder she’d fallen in love with him back then? She bit down on her lip, forcing herself to keep the walls so newly erected around her heart in place. “You never saw me at all.”
    * * *
    As if he needed that reminder, Noah thought, as Katie’s words hung in the air between them. He should walk away right now. It had been a stupid, impulsive idea to show up at her house when he knew she had a date. He had no business intruding on her life.
    â€œI’m a jackass, Katie-bug,” he said with a laugh then cringed when she didn’t correct him. “But I wasn’t lying when I said I wanted you to be happy. I came here because... I guess it doesn’t matter why. I want to be a better friend if you’ll let me.” He shut his eyes for a moment, clenched his fists then focused on her. “Even if that means vetting your dates for you.”
    She arched one eyebrow, a look so out of place and yet so perfect on her he had to fight not to reach for her again.
    â€œMatt Davis is a good guy.”
    Her eyes narrowed. “How do you know my date’s name?”
    â€œI asked around.” He shrugged. “I’m sorry if I cut your night short. I’m sorry I keep doing things that make me have to apologize to you.” He flashed a smile. “Good night, Katie.”
    He stepped around her onto the porch steps.
    â€œNoah?”
    He turned. His name on her tongue was soft. The same tenderness that had annoyed him earlier from his mother now made him want to melt against Katie. To beg her not to give up on him.
    â€œI’ll be praying for your mom tomorrow.” She wrapped her arms tight around herself as if she was also trying to hold herself back.