1022 Evergreen Place by Debbie Macomber Page B

accepted.”
    Despite what she said, it certainly didn’t sound as if she meant it. “Thank you.”
    â€œWhy did you lie?” she demanded.
    â€œOkay, good question. I was afraid—”
    â€œOf what?”
    â€œAfraid you wouldn’t agree to the lower rent payment if you knew I owned the duplex.”
    She threw him an angry look. “You’re right, I wouldn’t have. What I want to know is why you felt it was so important for me to move next door to you.”
    â€œBecause.” He didn’t have an answer that would satisfy her. He couldn’t very well say he’d fallen completely and totally in love with her and that he couldn’t stand the thought of losing Noelle. Not that she was really his to lose…
    â€œâ€˜Because’? Oh, that explains everything.”
    â€œI wanted to be nearby in order to protect both of you,” he returned, losing his own patience. “What’s so under-handed about that? If David showed up, I wanted him to deal with me, and leave you and Noelle alone.”
    â€œI can take care of my own problems,” she snapped. “I don’t need a knight in shining armor riding to my rescue.”
    More like tarnished armor, he reflected, but didn’t say anything.
    â€œBesides, David did show up,” she added.
    â€œAnd you panicked,” he reminded her.
    â€œYes, I did panic, and then you jumped into hero mode again, asking me to marry you.”
    That hadn’t been one of his finer moments.
    â€œOf all the ridiculous solutions to come up with,” Mary Jo muttered. “And I was frightened enough and foolish enough to say yes.”
    â€œWe came to our senses,” he said.
    â€œYes, thankfully.”
    He sighed. “I’m sorry, Mary Jo. I was wrong to mislead you.”
    â€œYou did more than mislead me. You lied.”
    â€œOkay, I lied.”
    â€œI don’t appreciate it.”
    â€œThat I get,” he said drily. “I just want you to know I regret the lie—and the, uh, misguided proposal.”
    No response.
    They arrived at the duplex, but neither seemed ready to get out of the car.
    â€œWhere do we go from here?” Mack finally asked.
    Mary Jo didn’t answer for the longest time. When she did, she turned sideways and looked at him, her eyes wide and imploring. “Can I trust you, Mack?”
    â€œYes.” He said it without hesitation. “I’d do anything for you and Noelle.”
    â€œWhy?”
    His shoulders rose as he took a deep breath. He was afraid of Mary Jo’s reaction if he confessed his feelings. She’d probably leave, go back to Seattle, uproot the life she’d created here.
    â€œYou don’t know?” he asked instead.
    â€œNo,” she said. “I don’t.”
    â€œYou need someone. You don’t want to admit it but you do, and I want to be that someone.” He’d toned downhis feelings and hoped she’d understand—and not take offense.
    â€œOf all the people I’ve met since Noelle was born, you were the one I felt I could trust the most. I’m devastated to learn otherwise.”
    â€œWill you give me another chance?” he asked. He wouldn’t plead with her, wouldn’t state his case. The decision was hers; this was make-it-or-break-it time. He’d faltered badly but, God willing, Mary Jo would look past his error in judgment and agree to move forward.
    â€œI’m not making any promises,” she said.
    â€œI’m not asking for any.”
    She nodded. “Just don’t ever lie to me again.”
    â€œYou have my word.” The second he spoke, he realized that expression was a poor choice.
    â€œYour word,” she repeated. “For what that’s worth.”
    Mack would need to show her that his word was good and his lie of omission was the wrong thing done for the right reasons.
    â€œFrom this point forward I’ll pay fair