Read part one and part two of Homegrown Love first!

Alex took the news better than expected. He was upset that Hope had kept such a huge secret from him, and that they’d gone behind his back for so long. He was also hurt that Paul had come back to town and not called him, but Hope couldn’t do anything about that.

She put Adam to bed at seven and set about cleaning the house. She picked up his toys and stashed them in the bins she kept around the room, the ones that were usually empty. The living room looked the same as it had the last time Paul had been in her life, something Hope suddenly felt embarrassed by. She wanted him to believe she was doing well, that she didn’t need him and didn’t miss him. She wanted to show him how great her life was.

It was all a fake.

With Alex out for the night and Adam sleeping, Hope had nothing to do but sit and wait. And worry. She’d gotten good at worrying since becoming a mom. Some days she felt like her only conscious thoughts were worrying about what could happen to Adam. Now, with Paul back, her fears centered around losing her son, even part of the time, to the man who’d left her when she needed him most.

When the doorbell finally rang Hope had chewed off all her fingernails. She jumped at the sound and rested a hand on her chest as she went to open the door.

Paul looked good. His dark hair was still wet, curled around his collar. On top was disheveled as though he’d been running his hands through it the entire drive. She knew he probably had and it made her feel better that he was just as nervous as she was.

Hope stepped back without a word to let him in. Paul stepped inside for the first time in five years and looked around. She wondered if he saw any of the things she saw when she looked around the room. Like the couch where they’d shared their first kiss. The door that he’d pressed her against after she went out with someone else and he admitted he wanted her all to himself. The kitchen where they’d made dinner more times than they could count. Or the bedroom where he’d taken her virginity and then some.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Paul asked.

Hope sat on a chair opposite the couch and gestured for him to sit across from her. He did. With her hands clasped in front of her, Hope began her story. “I found out after you’d left. I was 17 and didn’t know how to find you. Alex didn’t know where you’d gone and you changed your number. We had no way of getting in touch with you. I tried social media but couldn’t ever find you. There was no way for me to tell you.”

“I left because I knew Alex would kill me if he found out. I’d made a comment about how gorgeous you’d gotten and he nearly took my head off. I told me not to ever look at you again or he’d kill me. I knew I had to leave.”

Hope nodded. She understood. Five years was a long time to stay away but she’d decided years ago she wouldn’t ever see him again. She’d set her mind on getting over him. If he hadn’t left, they would have stayed together, she’d never doubted that. But Alex was very protective of her. It wasn’t a surprise that he threatened Paul.

“I’m sorry you had to find out how you did.”

“Would you have told me?”

Hope took a deep breath. “No. He’s my whole life. I can’t lose him. I don’t know what you’re hoping for, but please don’t take my son away from me.”

Her throat clogged with emotion and her eyes filled. She tried to blink them away but gave up when they streamed down her cheeks. Hope squeezed her eyes shut. She heard him move, rise from the couch and move toward her. He took her hands in his and wiped her cheeks with a finger. “Please don’t cry Hope. I could never handle it when you cried. God, honey, please, stop.”

Hope strained to stop the tears and finally managed to calm the terror in her chest and look into his eyes. He was so close, his crystal blue eyes peering deep into hers.

She wanted to believe what she saw in his gaze. It opened up a part of her that had been closed off since he left, but she wasn’t sure if she could trust it. Didn’t know if it was real.

Paul’s hand caressed her cheek and she leaned into it, unconsciously. “I left because I loved you. I left because I couldn’t have you, not the way I wanted. It broke me to leave. Without you in my life everything was… it sucked.”

He paused, obviously searching for words. Hope waited him out, not trusting her own voice to say anything. She didn’t know where he was going with his train of thought but she wasn’t about to stop him.

“I’ve missed you every single day. I tried to move on but I saw your face on every woman I met. I heard you laugh inside my head constantly. I dreamed of a life together. A little boy,” he laughed. “I came back to find you. I was going to call Alex and ask if I could date you, tell him I’m in love with you. Start over. I got a job here so I could be close to you and I was hoping you would give me another chance.”

Hope’s heart crashed inside her chest, pounding relentlessly as he spoke. She closed her eyes and could see everything he talked about. A family, the two of them together, with their son, maybe even more kids. It was everything she wouldn’t let herself dream of, but everything she’d ever wanted.

“It won’t be easy, I know that,” Paul continued. “But I’m willing to do whatever I have to to prove that I’m not leaving this time. And it doesn’t matter what Alex says. You hold my heart, you always have, and I’m not letting you go again. Please, Hope, say something.”

Words left her. She couldn’t think of anything to say. Instead she just leaned in and tentatively brushed her lips against his.

The soft kiss shocked him still for a second before he took control of her lips. His hand cupped her cheek and pulled her close to him, his tongue sweeping through her mouth to learn her all over again. She sighed softly against his lips, new and old all at the same time.

“I never thought you’d come back.”

“I’m never leaving again. I’m home. For good.”

He sealed his lips to hers again and let her lead him to her room. And started to make up for the last five years.

Read part one of Homegrown Love first!

“Hope,” Paul answered, sounding as breathless as she did. “What are you doing here?”

God, he looked good. Hope wanted to throw herself at him the way she’d done so many years ago. She was the one who’d instigated their first kiss, the one who’d seduced him over and over again, the one who’d admitted their attraction and got them together.

She’d told herself over the years that she was over him, that his dark hair and blue eyes wouldn’t have the same effect on her they’d had years ago. That his broad shoulders and arms that surprised her with the gentleness despite their strength wouldn’t make her mouth water. That his masculine scent, like fresh air and a tinge of motor oil from the cars he was always tinkering with, wouldn’t bother her.

But standing face to face with him, she knew she’d been a liar.

Pushing thoughts of how much she’d loved Paul aside, Hope focused instead on Adam. She crossed her arms over her chest and stepped back to try to block his view of Adam in the backseat. The last thing she wanted was him coming into town for the first time in five years and trying to take her son. He couldn’t have him. It wasn’t an option.

“I live here, Paul. You’re the only who left town and never looked back.”

“You look amazing. Are you in school?”

Before Adam was born, Hope wanted to go to college and get an art degree. She’d always loved to paint and wanted to study it, to learn as much as she could and become a great artist. When she found out she was pregnant she was lucky to even finish high school.

“No, I’m not in school. I never had a chance to go to school.”

“Why?” he snapped, sounding angry and hurt. “Why wouldn’t you go to school?”

Hope shrugged, not willing to tell him about Adam. “It just wasn’t the right time. Maybe I’ll go one day. Listen, I’ve got to go. My car doesn’t look too bad and it’ll probably cost me more in insurance if I file a claim. Can we just forget about this? A favor between old friends?”

Paul snorted. “Old friends? Is that all we were?”

“Paul, I can’t do this okay. I don’t know why you’re back after all this time but I can’t do it.”

“How about a drink? Can I buy you a drink?”

“I’m only 20. Plus, I don’t drink.”

Paul grinned, that half smile that always made Hope feel like she was the only person in the world who mattered, even when he seemed to be laughing at her. “I was talking about a coffee. We are at Beans.”

Hope glanced behind her and looked at the coffee shop. She wasn’t going back in there. She wasn’t going anywhere with Paul when she had Adam with her. He couldn’t see his son. He would know.

“I was just leaving actually. I’ve got somewhere else I need to go.”

Hope turned back to her car like she was going to get in, hoping Paul would do the same. Instead he stepped closer to her, then glanced into the backseat. “You have a kid?” he asked, stunned. “Are you married?”

Hope dug deep for courage and told the truth. “Yes, I have a son. And no, I’m not married. His dad ran out on us.”

Paul was clearly shaken. He ran a hand through his hair, something Hope knew he only did when he was frustrated or worried. “How old is he?”

Hope’s heart beat faster. She knew she couldn’t lie to Paul, she never could, but she didn’t want him to know the truth. “Four.”

Paul’s eyes snapped to hers and saw everything she wanted to hide from him. She could tell the moment the truth dawned on him, the moment he realized he was the deadbeat dad who’d run out, the moment he looked back at his son and saw himself as a child.

“I have a son?” It was a question as much as a statement.

From within the car Adam waved at Paul, unaware of the turmoil going on between the adults standing there watching him through the window.

“Paul, this isn’t the time or place for this conversation. Maybe you can come over later and we can talk. We still live with Alex at the house. How about eight?”

Hope knew Adam would be asleep by then and Paul wouldn’t be able to yell at her too much if there was a child sleeping. At least she hoped.

Paul finally nodded his agreement and turned silently back to his car. He got in and drove off, not giving Hope a backward glance.

One down, now she needed to tell her brother who Adam’s father was, and that his best friend was in town.

Hope swiped the last few strokes onto her latest masterpiece and sat back to admire her work. She was good. She knew it. She just needed someone else to think so too.

A door opened down the hall, letting Hope know her son, Adam, was awake. At four Hope knew Adam’s naps weren’t going to last much longer. She just hoped he would be good while she took time to paint. Working full time during the week left little time for Hope to work on her art, but she wasn’t about to give up. She wouldn’t let another one of her dreams go.

Adam shuffled into the room and curled up on Hope’s lap. She looked down at his raven black hair and bright blue eyes and her heart clenched like it always did. He looked just like his daddy, not that Paul knew anything about Adam.

When Hope found out she was pregnant, Paul was already gone. As her brother’s best friend he regretted seeing her behind Alex’s back. The guilt got too much for him and Paul left town, changed his number, and never looked back.

Hope knew it was for the best. Paul had told her many times he never wanted kids so having one when he was barely 20 years old would have been like a prison sentence. Not for Hope though. She’d always wanted to be a mother. Of course she’d imagined it with the father by her side and when she was older than 17, but she’d done the best she could.

“Can we get ice cream, Mommy?” Adam asked as Hope rubbed his back and played with his hair. They had a trip planned to a local coffee shop that afternoon, one that carried artwork from local artists. Hope wanted to see if they would show some of her pieces, even one, to get her started.

“Yeah, I think we can do that. Why don’t you go get dressed and we’ll get some ice cream after we go by the coffee shop.”

Adam crawled off her lap and padded down the hall to his room.

Hope sorted through the paintings she had set to the side and picked the ones she wanted to show the manager. She’d been to Beans a few times and knew their style and color scheme and Hope wanted to bring in pieces that wouldn’t take away from the atmosphere of the funky, trendy cafe. She slid three canvases into a portfolio and went to get changed out of her painting clothes.

The ride to the Beans was short and Adam chattered away in the backseat, playing I-Spy, asking questions, and counting. When he got in moods like that Hope couldn’t deny how much he was like his father with his inquisitive nature. It was her favorite times with her son when she could remember what Paul was like, how he was, before he left to relieve his conscience.

Hope never knew how her brother didn’t recognize his best friend in his nephew. Alex had asked her many times who the father was but Hope refused to tell him. She was lucky to have him when she was pregnant. Their parents had died in a car accident and Alex took custody of Hope since he was 18 when they died and she was only 15. Alex worked hard to support the two of them and loved Adam like he was his own son. Hope always felt Adam healed some of the pain Alex felt when Paul disappeared and didn’t look back.

He’d definitely healed some of her pain.

Beans was busy when Hope and Adam arrived. Hope went up to the counter and asked for Monica, the manager. They sat at a vacant booth while waiting for Monica to come out to see them.

“Hi, I’m Monica. You must be Hope.”

Hope stood and shook her offered hand. “I am. Thank you so much for meeting me. This is my son, Adam.”

“Hi Adam. How are you?” Monica asked in a friendly voice.

“Do you have ice cream?”

Hope’s cheeks flushed but Monica only laughed. “You know what, we don’t. But we do have cookies. Would you like one?”

Adam’s eyes lit up and they both looked to Hope for an okay. When she nodded, Monica reached her hand out for Adam’s and led him back to the edge of the counter. She went around the edge and slid a chocolate chip cookie into a bag. She handed it back to Adam and they walked back to the table where Hope was.

“What do I owe you?” Hope asked, pulling out her wallet.

Monica waved her hand. “We give cookies away to kids all the time. It’s no big deal. Besides, if he’s eating we can talk for a minute.” She winked and gestured to Hope’s portfolio.

Hope busied herself pulling out the canvases she brought. She set the first against the wall of the booth, propped one up on the table, and held the third. Monica immediately reached for the one Hope was holding and gazed at it lovingly.

“This is stunning. The colors are perfect in here and the design is modern but with a subtle nod toward a more traditional style. This will definitely sell.”

She set the painting down and looked at the other two. “Wow, these are just as good. You said you’ve never had a showing before?”

“No, I’m working full time and, well, don’t have as much time to paint as I’d like.”

Monica nodded in understanding and picked up the other two paintings. “These are beautiful. They compliment the restaurant so well and I love the overall feel of them. You’re very talented.”

“Thank you.”

“Okay, so how this works is we’ll display them but the sale is on consignment. When they sell, and I have no doubt they will, you will get 85% of the sales price and we keep 15% as a fee. I’m thinking we sell them individually for $600 each or as a complete set for $1500. What do you think?”

Hope nearly passed out hearing those numbers. She’d expected to be offered less than $100 and to think her paintings could sell that well was terrifying and exhilarating.

“I think that sounds amazing.”

“Great,” Monica said, stacking the paintings up. “Give me a minute and I’ll have the paperwork for you to sign.”

Hope grinned like a fool as Monica walked away and was still grinning when she came back and handed over the paperwork. Hope reviewed everything quickly then signed her name on the bottom. She stashed her copy of the paperwork and shook hands with Monica again, thanking her profusely.

Outside, Hope breathed a sigh of relief. If those painting sold she would be in a much better place, and maybe, just maybe she’d be able to do something nice for Alex after all he’d done for her. Things were definitely looking up.

Hope made sure Adam was buckled up and then climbed into her seat and backed out. Before she’d cleared the car next to her, her car stopped and she heard the telltale crunch of a car accident. She hung her head and wondered how in the world she’d been so distracted.

Grabbing her purse and telling Adam to stay put, she climbed out, digging to find her insurance information. A man’s voice apologized, a voice she recognized, a voice she’d never forget.

She looked up at the man behind the voice and her eyes met with ones that matched her son’s. Eyes she hadn’t seen in almost five years. Eyes she never thought she’d see again.

“Paul,” she whispered.