Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove Series, Volume 3 by Debbie Macomber Page A

his face in the clean freshness of it. He’d missed her more than he’d dared admit, even to himself.
    He wished he knew how to reassure her. But no matter how strong that desire, he refused to whisper platitudes, nor would he mislead her by making promises he couldn’t keep.
    Faith must have recognized that she’d said more than she’d intended. She eased out of his embrace and glanced self-consciously at the street. She folded her arms around her waist, as if she suddenly felt cold.
    â€œLet’s talk about this inside,” Troy suggested, placing his arm around her again as they headed back to the house.
    Once inside, Faith removed her coat and hung it by the door, first straightening the shoes and boots that stood there. Then she refreshed their coffees. Troy could tell that this busywork was an attempt to regain her composure.
    For his part, he would’ve been content to spend the next ten years holding Faith, even if it meant standing in full view of the street on a bitter January day. With the woman he loved in his arms, physical comfort didn’t matter. He’d hardly noticed the damp or cold—until she’d stepped out of his arms.
    â€œWould you like another bran muffin?” Faith asked.Before he could answer, she added, “I believe I got this recipe from my mother. If you like, I could pass it along to your daughter. I saw Megan the other day. Did she mention that?”
    â€œFaith.” Troy took off his damp coat and hung it over the back of a chair.
    â€œShe’s a lovely girl, Troy.”
    â€œFaith,” he said a bit more loudly this time.
    She clutched the kitchen counter with both hands.
    â€œI know how distressed you must be.”
    She spit out a laugh as though his statement had been an exaggeration. “I’m fine, really. Tired, but… Okay, I’ll confess this break-in has me unnerved. But wouldn’t anyone feel that way?”
    â€œOf course they would. Now, promise me you won’t hesitate to call 9-1-1 if you suspect someone’s on the property.”
    â€œI…”
    â€œFaith,” he coaxed.
    â€œI will,” she finally said, “if I really think there’s someone here.”
    Troy figured this half promise was about all he could wheedle out of her.
    They stood just looking at each other for a moment, neither of them inclined to speak.
    â€œWould you like me to stop by one evening?” he asked, hoping she’d agree to that, too. Maybe she’d let him come over occasionally and then, given time, he’d have the opportunity to regain her trust.
    She considered his question, then slowly shook her head. “I appreciate your willingness to look in on me, but…but I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
    Personally Troy thought it was brilliant.
    â€œWould it be all right if I phoned and checked on you in the morning?” Maybe he was pressing his luck, but he had to try.
    â€œI suppose…but only this once.”
    â€œOnly this once,” he echoed. “I won’t call again after tomorrow.” The crack in her resolve to keep him out of her life was barely discernible but it was there.
    Reaching for his coat and hat, Troy saw that he’d left a small portion of his bran muffin on the plate. He popped it in his mouth and gave Faith a lopsided grin. He swallowed, wishing he’d accepted a second one when she’d offered it. “I’ll ask Megan to get the recipe from you,” he said on his way to the door.
    â€œI’ll be happy to share it.”
    Troy lingered at the front door, but there was nothing else to say. Leaving Faith never seemed to get any easier.

Six
    W ill Jefferson knew he needed to play his cards carefully if he hoped to have a relationship with Shirley Bliss. Now that his divorce from Georgia was final, he was a free man. Of course, a wedding ring hadn’t been much of a detriment in the past. He’d had a number