Hello from Belgium,

I can't believe I haven't shared this with you already, but Rules don't apply has been lowered in price to 99 cents for good :) How cool is that?

I was recently reading through some of the reviews. As a writer reviews can be like a great reminder that what we write matters and puts smiles on people's faces.

Let me share a few lines that really made my day:

"The sweet romance and sparks and chemistry had me grinning and cheering these characters on. I loved it so much! Hence I was hooked completely and pulled into being invested into these characters' story."

"It has some funny parts that had me giggle out loud."

"A most enjoyable, clean romcom. I devoured it."

"As soon as the sarcasm hit between these two I was in."

"There was a moment where I was hanging onto my sofa, slipped & fell because I was laughing so hard. Hilarious."

In case you still haven't read Abby and Shane's story, now would ba a good time to pick it up for such a steal.

As I promised, here's another chapter of The Songs of You and Me. If you missed a previous chapter, go back to your inbox and search in the promotions tab or junk folder...

If you're new to my newsletter, here's a little recap. Every week, I've been sending out one chapter of my book The Songs of You and Me. If you would like to read it from the beginning, it's available on Amazon and free in kindle unlimited.

Happy Reading!

JANE

Birthday breakfasts were a big thing when I lived with my parents. After David died, they decided we needed to reinstate the tradition. At first I didn’t want to, but knowing it would force me to get out of the funk I always felt on days like these, I gave into it.

Today was Emma’s sixth, and we were at Miss Mabel’s.

“Jane, what do you think?” My attention was drawn back to the conversation, my mom waiting for me to answer. I had no idea what she’d just asked me, because I was too distracted checking Jackson out as he walked into the diner. Luckily, Emma and my dad hadn’t noticed, but my mother was sporting a grin. There was no hiding anything from that woman.

For the last week, my thoughts were a mess thinking about that man. Sarah’s pushy words kept me up at night, running on a loop. How could I have been so blinded by my own fears that I didn’t notice his pain?

Every time he was near, he distracted me. I kept thinking and overthinking every single thing. I felt like a silly teenager again.

I couldn’t remember what Mom was talking about, because I was staring at Jackson’s dark hair and the way his suit fit just right. His broad shoulders and slim waist with that dark, almost wavy hair made me momentarily forget I was supposed to be listening to the wardrobe choices for Emma’s party.

Right. Party dresses. “Emma, which dress would you like to wear?” I patted myself on the back for remembering the question myself. Mom wasn’t fooled, and her smile broadened. I swore that woman had super intuitive powers.

“I don’t know, Mom. I like them both,” Emma answered, oblivious to the silent conversation going on between my mother and me.

“Hello there, Jane, Mr. and Mrs. Pierce. How are you doing?” Jackson walked up to our table, and my mother’s grin turned into a warm smile. She had always loved Jackson.

“Hi there, Jackson. What a lovely surprise. Please, Ava and Robert, none of that Mr. and Mrs. business. It sure has been a long time. I heard you moved back and are running your own business right here in Bellebrook,” Dad said.

He stood to shake Jackson’s outstretched hand and gave him a pat on the shoulder.

“I sure am. Been home for a while now. It’s good to be back.” His gaze met mine, and that familiar blush made an appearance. “Hi, Emma, how are you doing today? Are you enjoying the weekend?” His face warmed, and he leaned down to her level, smiling at her.

“Hi, Jackson! Today is my birthday.”

“Well, happy birthday, Emma. How old are you today?” He was still hunched down.

“I am six today.”

“Six is a great age. You’re almost all grown up.” My heart fluttered as I watched Emma beaming from his admiration, catching me completely off guard. Jackson still had the power to mess with my head.

“I sure am.” Emma soaked it all up. “We’re having a party this afternoon. Do you want to come? It’s from three to six at our house.”

“Emma, I’m sure Jackson has other plans.” I directed my comment to Emma, trying to offer Jackson an out. I couldn’t imagine he wanted to spend his Saturday afternoon at a six-year-old’s party. I was also not sure if I could handle having him there. It was one thing to analyze these feelings at night, alone. It was another thing entirely to spend the afternoon together, with Emma. I hadn’t brought another man into her life since David died. Having Jackson come, even as a friend, felt like I was being unfaithful. Even if David had been dead for a little over two and a half years now.

Jackson ignored my interruption and kept his gaze focused on Emma. “Thank you for the invitation. I‘m not sure what my plans are this afternoon, but I might stop by. How kind of you to invite me to your party, Emma.”

Jackson always was a gentleman, so it didn’t surprise me that he gave Emma such a sweet reply instead of brushing her off.

He stood and smiled. “I better head out. I have a meeting up in Peekskill. Enjoy your breakfast. Have a great birthday, Emma. Hopefully, I’ll see you later.” He gave me one of his heart-melting grins and took off with his order to go.

I was left sitting there, puzzled. A simple birthday breakfast at the diner just turned into a birthday party with Jackson Wright possibly coming over. How did I prepare for that?

***

Sarah was coming over straight after lunch to help me with the final preparations. Our living room and porch looked like a bomb of pink and purple streamers, balloons, and other decorations exploded on it. Emma loved it, and if she was happy, I was happy.

Secretly, I was very pleased with how her cake turned out. She asked for a chocolate cake decorated in pink roses. I frosted it in an ombre effect of light to dark pink roses, and the result was perfect. She hadn’t seen it yet. I wanted it to be a surprise for her when we brought it out.

Pops was in charge of taking pictures and filming her blowing out her candles and cutting the cake.

We set games up in the yard, and I was so happy the weather stayed nice and warm so the kids could enjoy the fun outside.

Allie came along with Sarah, and the girls snuck off somewhere.

Soon, all her friends arrived and the games started up. Emma was enjoying herself immensely. She was the center of attention and soaking it right up. I was so proud of her. She was such a strong little girl, outgoing and full of life and love. She reminded me so much of her father. My heart hurt knowing he wasn’t here to share this moment with her. Three birthdays ago, he’d been here, helping her cut her cake. Now he was this distant memory, someone she barely remembered.

I heard Allie shout out, “Uncle Jackson, you came.”

I turned to the back gate and noticed him walking up to our garden, holding a stuffed unicorn with a big pink bow tied to it. Allie raced to him, and Emma followed right after her. He handed Emma the present, and she flung herself in his arms. “Thank you, Jackson!” Her little arms tightened around his neck.

Jackson stood there, frozen, but returned her hug almost immediately. His countenance softened as he enfolded my baby in his strong arms. I swallowed down the emotion rising. My baby was usually very wary of strange men. Sure, she’d met Jackson a couple of times, but still. The only man I’d seen Emma hug, apart from David, was my dad. Her instant acceptance of Jackson, first at the festival and now at her party, was so unexpected it caught me completely off guard. My eyes welled with tears, but I forced myself not to cry. Today should be a happy day. It was a happy day. Yet I felt as though I might start bawling any minute. What was wrong with me?

“I better go put the candles on the cake.” I turned away from Sarah, hiding my unshed tears. “I’ll be back in a sec.”

JACKSON

“Happy birthday, Emma. I got you something. I hope you like it.” I handed her the stuffed toy from behind my back and saw her eyes light up like stars. She looked so much like Jane, except the eyes. Those must be all her dad. Jane’s were an intoxicating green; Emma’s were a bright, sparkling blue. But she had that same beautiful smile and wavy hair like her mom. It reminded me of Jane as a kid, and the countless times she was over at our house playing with Sarah. Even then I’d noticed her.

“Yeah!” Emma squealed as she grabbed the gift and wrapped her little arms around me. I was totally thrown by her enthusiastic response, but after a moment’s hesitation, I returned the hug. There was something about her arms bundled around me that tugged at the part of my heart I tried to ignore since moving here. Her innocent acceptance forced me to swallow the lump in my throat and the difficult feelings trying to surface. Two years, and I thought I’d forgiven Ainsley for the crap she pulled on me. I still missed Leah and the possibility of being a dad. But that was over now, ripped away from me, the wounds barely healing.

After pulling myself together and letting go of Emma, I looked around the yard for this sweet girl’s mom. Our eyes met, and my lips curved up in that stupid smile that always appeared whenever she was near. Instead of returning the gesture, her face lacked its usual warmth, startling me. She turned and headed inside. I was confused by her reaction, replaying what just happened. Did I do something wrong? Did I overstep the line by hugging Emma back?

“Let’s go and show Pops my unicorn.” Emma was completely oblivious to the tension building inside of me. She and Allie took off with the gift in hand, skipping and laughing as they went.

My mind was a mess. What just happened with Jane? I turned to Sarah, questioning her without speaking. She was there, right next to Jane, and her grimace confirmed the uneasiness I’d read on Jane. She tilted her head in the direction Jane ran off to, urging me to follow after her.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I took off toward the house in search of Jane. I neared the back of the house and heard cupboards opening and closing loudly.

“You done taking it out on the kitchen, or you need another minute?”

Jane jumped back at the sound of my voice. She attempted a smile, but those clouded eyes were still there, accelerating my already uneven heart rate. Ah, man, I messed up big time.

“I might move on to the bathroom next,” she quipped, but her voice didn’t hold its usual punch.

“Hey,” I tried again, as I opened the screen door and walked into the kitchen. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” She pasted on another one of those fake smiles. She forgot that I knew her. I could see right through her facade.

“You didn’t look fine a minute ago.”

“Wow, Jackson, you sure know how to make a girl feel special.” She turned away from me and started rummaging in the cabinets again.

“You know what I mean,” I replied softly. My feet closed the final distance between us, and my hand covered her hand resting on the countertop. She wouldn’t look up at me, so I gently guided her to face me with my other hand. After a few heartbeats, I could see her guard fall.

“I am fine,” she breathed out, trying to turn away again, but I kept my hand on her face. No way was I letting her hide from me. “I just needed a minute,” she admitted, fighting hard to keep her voice steady.

“I’m sorry for crossing a line.” No need to ask the question. I could read the hurt all over her face once she let me truly see her.

“What do you mean?” Her brow pinched in confusion, and my hands dropped. Now I was the one to step back and shift uncomfortably, unable to return her gaze.

“What are you talking about?” She tried again, stepping away from the cabinet and up to me. She tugged on my hand, shocking us both.

Her hand squeezed mine, and I forced the words out. “I shouldn’t have hugged Emma like that. I’m sorry.”

“You think I’m upset about that?” Her teeth caught her bottom lip, distracting me.

“Yeah,” I admitted. Her lips fought a smile.

“I wasn’t expecting her to launch herself in your arms. But I don’t mind.”

“The kid took me by surprise, too.”

“Hey.” Jane leaned closer and rested her hand on my arm. Her touch sent a spark through my whole body. The smile she gave me lit up her face, and my mouth went dry.

“So if it wasn’t me being an idiot, why are you so upset?”

Jane got serious again and averted her gaze.

“Jane?” My hand found its way to her face again, and the touch caused her to suck in a breath. After all these years, a single touch still had the power to set me on fire.

“I really don’t know. Today is supposed to be a happy day. And I am happy. Seeing her with you like that...”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come.” I’d crossed the line. Emma was great, but I wasn’t the kid’s dad.

“No.” Her voice picked up. “Emma is so happy you came. Did you see the size of her smile?”

“She’s a great kid. You’re lucky to have her.” As much as Jane had lost, she still had Emma. It could be worse. I knew firsthand what it was like to lose everything in one fell swoop.

“I am.” Jane’s expression turned serious, and her chin lifted. “Jackson.” Her shoulders squared, and she looked me right in the eye. “I’m happy you came. You made Emma’s day. You made mine.” Jane’s voice was barely above a whisper.

I slowly pulled her to me and enfolded her slim frame close to me. We both seemed to welcome the contact. Her body fit perfectly in my arms. Holding her like this felt so right. We stood there for what felt like a long time, Jane drawing strength from my embrace and me reveling in the warmth and nearness of her. For the first time in ages, I felt like me being here, being a friend to Jane, was exactly where I needed to be. That sense of belonging was something I hadn’t felt in ages.

“Want to help me take the cake out?” Jane looked up, and that sense of belonging intensified.

“Sure, I’d love to.”

Stay tuned for the next Chapter next week...

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