Chapter Ten

“Amazing turnout.” Jonah slanted a glance at Leo, who stood beside him surveying the busy scene.

The mayor smiled in satisfaction. “Having a good mix of events for the locals, as well as pulling in tourist dollars, keeps everyone happy.”

The Green was a parklike area in the center of town with a bandstand, numerous gazebos, and walking trails as well as a huge pond. This weekend, a Taste of Hazel Green had taken over the sumptuous oasis. A craft-beer festival had commandeered the open-air pavilion and its parking lot on the southern edge of the park.

Adults who purchased tickets for the beer festival were treated to live music from a band out of Chicago and a sampling of local Illinois beers, national and regional craft beers, and ciders.

Jonah recalled the Oyster and Beer Festival in Springfield and the Taste of Springfield, which was usually held at a local country club.

Neither event could match this one, either in scope or attendance.

“This”—Jonah swept out a hand, gesturing to the sea of tents spread out before them—“is an unbelievable turnout for such a small community.”

“It helps that we invite restaurants and caterers from surrounding communities to participate. The bigger the event, the more people we draw, which is good for everyone.” Leo’s gaze sharpened. “I love these events. It’s like one big party where you get to see people you don’t run into nearly often enough.”

Jonah turned, and his system went on high alert.

Abby, one hand resting on Eva Grace’s shoulder, stood chatting with Nell. Today, her dark hair was board straight and pulled back from her face in a stretchy headband. Her very short dress, a bright hot-pink swirl, showed off miles of tanned, toned legs.

Nell wore an equally short dress in an eye-popping psychedelic print with bright-orange boots. The attorney had done something different with her hair, but Jonah barely noticed as his gaze dropped to his daughter.

As it had been in the classroom, Eva Grace’s hair was pulled back into a curly tail, but today it was tied with a bright-blue ribbon that matched her dress. Her dress stopped midthigh. High-tops covered in unicorns and rainbows didn’t fit the outfit but made him smile.

“Let’s go say hello.” Without waiting for Leo’s consent, Jonah wove his way through the crowd. Once he reached the trio, an awkwardness he hadn’t felt since he was sixteen stole over him.

Thankfully, Leo picked up the conversational slack. He rubbed his chin and studied the threesome. “I’m sensing a 1960s vibe.”

“What gave it away?” Nell cocked her head, studying him from beneath heavily mascaraed lashes. “The bold colors or the paisley patterns?”

“Both,” Leo admitted. “The miniskirt clinched the era.”

Jonah glanced down at his cargo shorts and polo shirt. “I wouldn’t even know where to start if I had to dress in a certain decade.”

“Other than for specific events, it’s totally your choice.” Nell looped her arm through Abby’s. “Abby and I enjoy slipping in and out of the different eras.”

“Me too,” Eva Grace piped up. “I like playing dress-up.”

“You look lovely today.” Jonah kept his tone light. When he’d moved to Hazel Green last month, he’d hoped that by this time, he and his daughter would be pals.

He should have known better.

“Mommy was in a car accident,” Eva Grace told him. “She said you drove her home because Bebe wouldn’t run.”

“Bebe?” he ventured.

“The car,” Abby clarified.

When he still looked puzzled, Nell let out a robust laugh. “Don’t tell me you never named a car or a truck.”

Jonah lifted his hands. “Not a one.”

“If you want, I’ll help you name yours.” Eva Grace’s blue eyes, with their flecks of gold, met his. “I’m really good at picking out names.”

Touched by the offer, he smiled. “I’d like that.”

“Where are you ladies headed?” Something about the way Leo looked at Nell told Jonah the mayor was hoping for an invitation to join them.

Jonah held the same hopes. On the day of the Abby’s accident, for a brief moment, he’d felt a connection between them. Nowhere near as strong as the one they’d shared years ago. Just enough to have him hoping the door she’d shut would one day open wide enough to let him inside.

“We’re going to every tent.” Eva Grace giggled. “Mommy says we have to just take a bite or two or we’ll explode.”

“Thanks for that visual.” Nell elbowed Abby.

Abby flashed a smile at her friend. An open, friendly smile. The kind of smile that, years ago, she’d often sent his way. “Just keeping it real, girlfriend.”

Jonah started to speak, then noticed one of his detectives, in plain clothes for the event, speaking with a man. Not a simple conversation with a friend. Not from the look in the detective’s eye.

“Is Kevin working this evening?” Nell asked in a low voice.

Jonah nodded, keeping his gaze on Detective Countryman.

“There’s always a number of police, both in uniform and not, at these events,” Leo explained. “People who are drinking and enjoying themselves with friends often aren’t as careful as they should be.”

“Why do you think the detective detained him?” Abby took Eva Grace’s hand in a tight grip.

“Hard to say.” Jonah narrowed his gaze as the man sauntered off, a smirk on his lips. “I would guess the detective noticed him acting suspiciously. Perhaps checking out potential marks.”

“Though he sensed something was off, he must not have seen anything. Merely let the guy know he was watching him.” Nell’s eyes were cool. “That’s standard.”

Abby cocked her head. “I wonder why he didn’t check to see if the guy had anything stolen in his pockets?”

Once again, Nell spoke before Jonah had a chance. “In this situation, where the detective didn’t observe a crime being committed, a pat down can only be conducted if there’s reason to suspect the man is armed and dangerous.”

“Spoken like an attorney.” Jonah kept a smile on his lips.

“Fourth Amendment rights.” Nell waved a hand. “This is boring talk.”

“How can I resist that lead-in?” Leo offered her a winning smile. “I’ve something even more boring to discuss with you.”

Nell arched a brow.

“It has to do with Hazel Green,” Leo said.

“The town?” Nell probed. “Or the woman?”

“Both.”

“Now,” Nell spoke in a throaty whisper, “I’m intrigued.”

“Take a walk with me to the sushi tent.” Leo held out his arm. “I’ll tell you everything.”

Before responding, Nell turned to Abby, a question in her eyes. “Catch up with you later?”

Jonah expected Abby to at least hesitate. Instead, she offered a careless wave.

“Of course.” Abby glanced at Leo, then back at Nell. “Have fun.”

Leo and Nell strolled off, leaving him with Abby and Eva Grace.

“Endless choices.” Jonah gestured widely to the tents that stretched as far as he could see. “Mind if I join you?”

Abby hesitated for an imperceptible second, but it was enough time for Jonah’s stomach muscles to clench.

“We should go this way.” Abby pointed in the opposite direction, which told him she didn’t anticipate reconnecting with Nell. “While we walk, I think it might be fun to tell Eva Grace how we first met.”

Though Abby’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes, her voice remained warm.

“H-how we met?” Jonah stammered.

Eva Grace’s eyes lit up. “How?”

“My mommy and I lived down the street from Jonah and his family.” Abby swung her daughter’s hand between them. “We became friends. Like you and Sawyer.”

“Sawyer?” Jonah asked, not certain where this was going but liking the direction.

“Liz Canfield’s son.”

“He’s nine,” Eva Grace told him. “He’s a boy, but he’s nice. He lets me play with his race cars.”

“When I was your age, Jonah let me play with his race cars,” Abby told her daughter.

Eva Grace’s eyes went wide. “Really?”

“Yep.” Abby pulled her daughter close to her side when the crowd thickened.

Perhaps he shouldn’t ask but . . .

“Would you like to ride on my shoulders, Eva Grace?” Jonah slanted a glance at Abby. “If it’s okay with your mom, that is.”

For just a second, Abby’s mouth formed a thin, hard line. Then it relaxed. “It’s okay with me if that’s what Eva Grace wants.”

In answer, Eva Grace held up her arms.

Jonah wasn’t ashamed to admit—at least to himself—that his heart melted. Simply dissolved into a puddle of love at his feet.

“Up you go.” With one motion, he had her on his shoulders and shrieking with delight.

“I can see everything.” The child’s voice rang with delight.

Jonah kept his hands on her ankles as they made their way through the crowd. How many times had he envisioned such a scene? It was the kind of thing his father had done with each of his children.

“Thanks.” He kept his voice low.

Abby gave a little nod, then shifted her gaze. “That tent has little fried chicken legs.”

Without warning, Eva Grace leaned over, her cheek brushing his. “I want a chicken leg.”

It was the start of an afternoon that had Jonah blinking several times to see whether he was dreaming.

Not wanting to waste a second of this precious time, Jonah embraced the day.

He ate chicken legs and porcupine meatballs, peach cobbler and tiramisu. By the time they’d made it to the far end of the Green, Jonah felt as if exploding was a distinct possibility.

“I want to go across the bridge and toss a penny in the stream.” Eva Grace, who now stood between them, glanced from her mother to Jonah. “Can we, please?”

The covered bridge was in sight. He was certainly up for continuing the adventure but, once again, deferred to Abby’s wishes.

She leaned over and retied Eva Grace’s ponytail ribbon. “Sounds like fun to me.”

“Yay.” The child did a happy dance, then surprised Jonah by grabbing his hand. “C’mon.”

Jonah couldn’t keep from smiling as he let himself be pulled along. While there were plenty of people on this side of the bridge, once they made it to the other side, the crowd thinned to a few strolling couples.

Eva Grace let go of his hand and galloped like a pony to a wooden rail overlooking the water. Her mane of gold glistened in the sunlight. She reminded him of a little angel.

“Hurry.” The child motioned to him and Abby with her hand. “The fish want to say hello.”

Abby moved to one side of the girl while Jonah flanked Eva Grace’s other side. At the child’s insistence, he stared into the surprisingly clear water. Coins, mostly pennies, dotted the bottom while a school of goldfish swam lazily, basking in the late-afternoon sunshine.

“I want to make a wish.” Eva Grace glanced from him to her mother.

Abby opened her small bag, then grimaced. “I used all my pennies at the store yesterday.”

Eva Grace’s smile turned upside down.

Jonah stuck his hand into his pocket and jingled. “I may have a coin or two.”

“I only need one penny.” Eva Grace told him, her expression serious. “I already know what I’m going to wish for.”

Reaching deep into his pocket, Jonah pulled out the coins, then held out his palm.

Eva Grace pursed her lips and studied the mix of pennies, nickels, and dimes. She pushed a couple of coins aside, appearing to consider between a dull copper penny and one as bright and shiny as the sun overhead.

“I like this one.” She plucked the shiny one from his hand, held it up, and closed her eyes.

“What are you doing?” Jonah asked.

Her lids popped open, and she grinned. “Making a wish. You have to close your eyes, or it won’t come true.”

Leaning over the rail, Eva Grace dropped the coin into the water. “All done.”

Jonah couldn’t help but smile. He recalled his sister insisting that if he told anyone his wish, it wouldn’t come true. He wondered whether that held true for wishes made on pennies as well as candles.

Eva Grace began skipping and twirling down the walkway in the direction of the Victorian homes. Jonah didn’t mind.

The farther they went in this direction, the longer it would take to get back, prolonging the adventure even more. But he reminded himself that Abby had been recently injured and might not be up to the exertion.

“How are you holding up?” He touched her arm, but when she jerked back, he let his hand drop.

“I’m okay.” She gestured with her head toward Eva Grace, currently twirling with her arms outstretched. “We’ve spent too much time indoors since the accident. I’m done being a slug on the couch. It’s good for her to get out.”

For one rash moment, Jonah considered asking why she was being so nice to him today. He kept his mouth shut. His desire to know the why wasn’t strong enough to take the chance of ruining a very pleasurable afternoon.

“Look. An umbrella of trees.” Eva Grace pointed when they caught up to her.

If they continued straight ahead, they would walk under that tree umbrella.

“Take my hand when we cross the street,” Abby instructed. “Be sure and look both ways.”

Eva Grace didn’t simply take her mother’s hand; she took his as well.

A lump rose to fill Jonah’s throat as the little fingers rested trustingly in his. When thoughts of all the years he’d wasted staying away from his daughter intruded, he shoved them aside.

They continued down the street, admiring the unique colors of the large Victorian homes.

“I like that one.” Eva Grace pointed to a large two-story painted a pale yellow with swaths of stained glass above each window. The child’s eyes narrowed at the sign in the yard. “For Sale.”

She sounded out the words, then smiled triumphantly.

Jonah shot a glance at Abby. “She can read?”

“Eva Grace is very bright.” Abby’s gaze lingered on her daughter.

“What does it mean?” Eva Grace demanded.

“Being bright?” Jonah asked.

“No.” The child pointed to the sign.

“It means the owner is selling the house,” Jonah explained. “He or she is moving somewhere else.”

“I want to live there.” Eva Grace turned pleading eyes to her mother. “Can we live there?”

“I thought you liked living at the hotel.” Abby’s gaze slid to the house with the wraparound porch.

Jonah had a sudden memory of the afternoon drives he and Abby had taken when he’d first gotten his license, looking at the historic homes in Springfield. Like Eva Grace, Abby had loved the vibrant colors and styles of such homes.

“I bet that house has a backyard.” The little girl’s tone had a wistful edge. “And a dog.”

“Do you like dogs?” How little he knew about this child who’d sprung from his seed.

She nodded vigorously, sending her curly tail swinging. “We can’t have one because our ’partment is only big enough for Mommy and me.”

Jonah knew many people who had pets in places smaller than the space where Abby and Eva Grace lived. But he also knew that pets were a commitment. Not only of time and energy but of money. “Remember Ranger?”

The question popped out before he could stop it. He doubted reminding Abby of the past was a good idea.

When Abby didn’t immediately respond, Eva Grace’s head swiveled from him to her mother. “Who’s Ranger?”

Despite clearing her throat, Abby’s voice sounded rusty, as if she hadn’t used it in a century or two. “It—he—was a dog Jonah had growing up.”

“Did you get to play with him sometimes?” Eva Grace smiled at the thought.

“Ranger adored your mother. He’d sit and hold out his paw for her to shake whenever she came over.” Jonah pulled out his phone and scrolled to a picture of the black Lab. “This is Ranger.”

Eva Grace stepped close and studied the picture of a black dog with glossy hair and a red ball in his mouth. She looked up. “Can I come to your house and play with him?”

Jonah hesitated. Should he tell the child that Ranger had died years ago? He looked at Abby. Need some help here.

“Ranger belonged to Jonah’s parents. They live in Springfield.” Abby kept her tone light.

“Could Ranger some for a visit sometime?” Eva Grace pressed. “I could throw the ball to him.”

“Ranger lived a long life.” Abby spoke matter-of-factly. “When he was very, very old, he went to live in heaven with your grandmother. I’m sure she’s throwing the ball to him right now.”

“I don’t want him to be in heaven.” Tears filled the little girl’s eyes as her gaze settled on her mother. “I don’t want you to go to heaven.”

Abby swallowed convulsively. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“If you did, I’d be all by myself.” Like a dog with a bone, the child persisted. “You’d be with Grandma and Ranger, but I’d be alone.”

How had a simple conversation about a dog gotten so out of control? Jonah wondered.

“I’m young,” Abby reassured her daughter. “I’d never leave you alone. A mommy’s job is to take care of her children.”

Her gaze flicked to Jonah.

It seemed she was passing the relay baton to him. Though he hadn’t a clue how to handle it, he could punt with the best of them.

He gestured with his head to another home across the street. “What do you think of the purple house?”