Sweet Surrender Read online

  Emma handed Willow a sheet of paper. “If you’ve bought anything for the workshop, write the details on here and include the receipts.”

  “You know I’m not doing that.” All the money the church earned kept The Welcome Center open and supported the tiny home village. There was no way Willow would take money away from those two important projects. “Besides, we use digital cameras for most of the work. I can pay for the other bits and pieces. They aren’t expensive.”

  With raised eyebrows, Emma studied the canvas frames sitting on the tables. “Who paid for the photos to be printed onto the canvas?”

  “It won’t bankrupt me.”

  “That’s what you always say.”

  Willow’s smile grew wider. “Because it’s true.”

  “In that case, thank you. But don’t feel as though you have to pay for everything. John wants to reimburse you.”

  “I know, but it isn’t necessary.”

  Emma leaned against the desk. “I visited Barbara on my way here. Jesse was his usual happy self. You wouldn’t know he’d spent a few days in the hospital.”

  “I did the same thing an hour ago. I’m glad Zac was here to help him.”

  “Talking about Zac…” Emma looked over her shoulder. “Before the students arrive, tell me about your date. Megan said you went on a hot air balloon ride.”

  With a groan, Willow sat down. “Please tell me you’re the only person Megan told.”

  “Brooke and Kathleen were there, too. We were wrapping Easter eggs in Sweet Treats and one thing led to another.”

  “Which led to my date with Zac?”

  “Don’t be annoyed,” Emma said with a sigh. “Hearing about everyone else’s happy ever afters is the highlight of my week. The chance of anyone taking me on a date is practically zilch.”

  “That’s not true. If the men of Sapphire Bay are too blind to see what a wonderful person you are, then they’re not worth dating.”

  “It’s not the men that are the problem.” Emma sat down and hugged her clipboard to her chest. “Dylan and Molly have been asking about their dad again.”

  Willow rubbed her friend’s arm. “What did you tell them?”

  “The same thing I always do—that he loves them very much, but he had to work in another city.”

  It was bad enough that Emma’s husband had disappeared out of her life when the twins were a few months old. It was a whole lot worse knowing he’d never bothered to stay in contact with them. “Do you think he’ll ever want to see Dylan and Molly?”

  Emma bit her bottom lip. “I know this sounds terrible, but I hope not. He’s never wanted to be part of their lives. Even when I was pregnant, he missed all the scans and doctor appointments. I’m surprised he stayed as long as he did.”

  “Are you still sending him photos of the twins?”

  “Not anymore. The last set came back unopened. I tried calling him, but no one answered. Either he doesn’t want to talk to me or he’s living somewhere else.”

  “Maybe one day he’ll realize how much he gave up when he left.”

  “I doubt it. But that doesn’t stop Dylan and Molly from wanting to see him.”

  Willow didn’t know what to say to make her friend feel better. Emma had been through so much in the last few years, it was a wonder she could still smile. “You’ve done everything you can to encourage your ex-husband to be part of the twins’ lives. When they’re older, they’ll understand.”

  “I hope so. Tell me about Zac. It will take my mind off my runaway ex-husband.”

  “After the hot air balloon ride, we had a picnic dinner beside Flathead Lake.” Willow picked up her camera and flicked through the images. “There were tiny lights bobbing in the water and memory bags lined the boardwalk.”

  Emma frowned. “What’s a memory bag?”

  “I’ll show you.” Willow found the photos she’d taken. “The outside of each white paper bag was decorated with pictures and words that celebrated someone’s life. An LED candle lit the bag from the inside. By the time we arrived at the lake, it was pitch black. From a distance, the bags looked like stars that had fallen from the sky.”

  Emma’s fingertips touched the screen. “They’re beautiful. What did Zac think of the festival?”

  “He was impressed. I don’t think he realized how much the towns around Flathead Lake have changed.”

  “Is that a good thing?”

  Willow placed the camera on the desk. “I think so. Without the businesses that have opened in Sapphire Bay and the events we’re organizing, families wouldn’t consider moving here. And if our population wasn’t increasing, Zac wouldn’t have a reason to take over from Doc Reilly.”

  “You could be all the reason he needs.”

  A sick feeling settled in the pit of Willow’s stomach. “What if that’s not enough? I’m worried he’ll change his mind and go back to Afghanistan.”

  Emma gave Willow a quick hug. “Do you want my advice?”

  Willow nodded.

  “Make the most of each day you’re together. Even with the best of intentions, nothing in life is guaranteed.”

  “You’re probably right, but I want more.”

  “We all want more. But sometimes, what we want and what we need are two completely different things. All you can do is trust that you both want the best for each other.”

  Willow looked down at her camera. Another picture of the memory bags filled the screen. Each candle represented a person who had been loved. Someone who’d made a difference in another person’s life.

  Zac meant the world to her and, maybe, if she gave their relationship a chance, she could mean the world to him, too.

  Emma pushed back her chair. “It looks as though your students are arriving. If you’re feeling brave, meet me in The Welcome Center’s café after your workshop. Molly and Dylan will put your life into perspective quicker than anyone else.”

  Willow smiled. That sounded like a great idea. “I’ll meet you there.”

  Zac stepped into the admin area in the church office. Emma was sitting behind a desk, sorting through a pile of papers. “Is it okay if I interrupt?”

  “Of course, it is.” She sat back and smiled. “If you’re looking for John, he’ll be back soon. Story time at The Welcome Center finished a few minutes ago.”

  “Story time?”

  “Our volunteers read children’s stories to anyone who wants to listen. Between the books, the hot chocolate, and the cookies, it’s a hit with our guests.”

  In spite of the smile on Emma’s face, there were dark circles beneath her eyes.

  He hoped she was okay. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m sorting John’s receipts into date order. How are your filing skills?”

  He looked at the pile of paper sitting on the desk. “Good enough to help.”

  “Thank you. Even ten minutes would make a difference. Megan is introducing Rebecca to all the volunteers and guests. I’d love to catch up with her but, if I leave now, the next person in the office won’t know where I was up to.”

  “I can do better than ten minutes. If you show me what you’re doing, I’ll come back in the morning and finish everything.”

  Emma bit her lip. “Are you sure that’s okay? You must have lots of things you want to do before you start working in the medical clinic.”

  “Until I hear back from the hospital in Polson, I can’t do much. If I come across a problem with the receipts, I’ll ask John what to do.”

  “He’s right,” John said from the doorway. “You’ve been here long enough, Emma. I’ll help Zac tomorrow.”

  Molly, Emma’s six-year-old daughter, rushed across the room. “Mommy. We saw Megan and ’Becca.”

  Emma grinned. “Did you say hello?”

  Molly nodded. “Megan let me hold ’Becca on the sofa. Dylan didn’t want to hold her. He said she was too wiggly, but she wasn’t wiggly for me.”

  Dylan stood quietly beside his mom. While his sister was talking, his blue ey
es moved between Zac and John.

  Zac knelt on the ground and smiled. “Hi, Dylan. I’m Zac. What did you enjoy doing tonight?”

  Emma’s son’s eyes widened. “I played with the dump trucks. Mr. Jessop used to drive big trucks on his ranch.”

  “Mr. Jessop is the head gardener at The Welcome Center,” Emma explained.

  Dylan gazed up at his mom. “I like Mr. Jessop.”

  Emma ruffled her son’s hair. “He likes you, too. Let’s go back to the living room. I want to see Megan and Rebecca before we go home.” She looked at Zac. “Why don’t you come with us?”

  “I’d love to but, before I see them, I need to speak to John.”

  John leaned against the doorframe. “Why don’t we grab a coffee, then make our way to The Welcome Center? We can talk and drink at the same time.”

  Molly sent Zac a toothless grin. “You could hold ’Becca, too. But you have to make sure her head is okay ’cause it’s real heavy.”

  “Thank you for telling me.”

  “You’re welcome.” Molly held Emma’s hand and looked at her brother. “Come on, Dylan. Let’s go and see ’Becca again.”

  Dylan’s small hand slipped into his mom’s.

  Emma’s gaze fell to the desk.

  “Don’t worry about the receipts,” John said. “I’ll put them away.”

  “That would be great. The pile on the left are in date order. The ones on the right still need to be sorted. If you put them in separate folders, it will make it easier to file them tomorrow.”

  John smiled. “Consider it done. We’ll see you soon.”

  After Emma disappeared into the hallway, Zac picked up a yellow folder. He looked at the dates on the invoices and carefully placed them inside.

  “What did you want to talk to me about?” John took another folder out of a drawer.

  “The Montana Board of Medical Examiners has officially signed off my paperwork, but I haven’t heard back from the hospital. While I’m waiting, would you like me to visit patients at The Welcome Center? It might take some of the load off Doc Reilly’s shoulders.”

  “Will you have the time?”

  Zac frowned. “I’ve got nothing but time.”

  “I thought you were doing some maintenance around your property?”

  “Most of it’s finished. While I was overseas, Mabel and Allan looked after my house. Apart from staining the deck, there wasn’t a lot to do.”

  John took the folder out of Zac’s hand and added it to the one he was holding. “You could always sit back and relax.”

  Zac couldn’t remember the last time he’d taken time out of his life to unwind. Even though he’d needed a vacation, he felt guilty when he was away from the refugee camps.

  “I’m not that great at relaxing.”

  “Not many of us are.” John left the folders in a drawer. “If you’re sure you don’t have anything else to do, we’d love to see you at The Welcome Center. Give Doc Reilly a call and see what works for him, then let me know.”

  Zac followed John into the hallway. “It sounds as though Doc Reilly’s looking forward to retiring.”

  “Has he shown you any pictures of his boat?”

  “Not yet, but he’s mentioned it a few times.”

  “Don’t be surprised if he invites you onto the lake. After his wife, his boat is his pride and joy.” John looked down at his watch. “We’d better grab some coffee before Megan goes home. You’ll be surprised by how much Rebecca has grown.”

  An image of the babies in the refugee camps filled Zac’s mind. He was grateful Megan lived in a country where drought, war, and severe food shortages were almost nonexistent. Rebecca would have every chance of thriving. She would have a safe, warm home and parents who loved her.

  It broke his heart to know that not all babies were born with the same opportunities—and there was nothing he could do about it.

  Zac walked into The Welcome Center’s living room behind John. At least twenty people were drinking hot chocolate and enjoying each other’s company.

  His heart leapt when he saw Willow. She was sitting beside Megan, holding Rebecca in her arms. Zac’s parents had often joked that it would take a miracle for them to ever hold his children. Up until now, he’d agreed with them. But seeing Willow with a baby made him yearn for a different life.

  He wanted what most people took for granted—someone to love, to build a better life with. Someone who would always be there for him, no matter what.

  John paused in the doorway. “This is what the center is all about,” he murmured. “Friends who become family.”

  Across the room a toddler pulled himself off the floor and, on wobbly legs, stumbled into the arms of a young woman. The elderly man beside them beamed with pleasure.

  Zac wondered where each of the people would be if it weren’t for John and The Welcome Center. “You’re making a difference.”

  “I try.” John smiled. “You’ve come at the right time. Willow has just finished her photography workshop. It’s one of our most popular programs.”

  Zac wasn’t surprised. Her photographs were amazing. They captured the emotions behind each scene, taking the viewer into the image to become part of the story.

  Willow looked at him and smiled. “Hi. I didn’t think you’d be in town tonight.”

  Zac cleared his throat. “I needed to see John.” That wasn’t strictly true. He did need to see him, but it could have waited until tomorrow. Was it crazy to admit that even though it was only twenty-four hours since he’d last seen Willow, he missed her? “How was your workshop?”

  “It was good. The students enjoyed themselves and everyone took home some lovely photos. Have you seen Rebecca since she was born?”

  “No, I haven’t.” He looked at the tiny baby. With a cute cupid’s bow above her mouth and lots of dark brown hair, Rebecca was a lot bigger than when he last saw her. “She’s beautiful.”

  Megan leaned toward Zac and smiled. “I might be biased but I agree.”

  Willow stroked the back of Rebecca’s hand. “Her skin is so soft.”

  Rebecca’s little fingers moved closer to her mouth.

  Zac knelt on the floor and rubbed his finger along Rebecca’s arm. “I hope William’s prepared for what’s ahead of him.”

  Megan sighed. “Don’t mention the future. He’s already stressing about being a dad.”

  “Why is William worried?” Willow asked softly. “He’s wonderful with Nora.”

  “Nora was five years old when William met her. She had her own personality and could talk and walk. Rebecca is so small that it scares him.”

  “It will get easier.”

  “I hope so.” Megan pulled herself out of the sofa. “Sit here, Zac. I need to get a glass of water.”

  “Would you like me to get you one?”

  “I’ll be fine. William has been waiting on me hand and foot. It’s nice to be able to do something for myself.”

  He helped Megan to her feet. “I’ll move as soon as you come back.”

  “Don’t worry. It’s good to stretch my legs.”

  Willow smiled when he sat beside her. “Would you like to hold Rebecca?”

  Zac looked down at the sleeping baby and sighed. He was feeling just as vulnerable as William, but for completely different reasons. “I can wait. Rebecca’s happy in your arms.”

  A mischievous smile lit Willow’s face. “Can I tell you a secret?”

  His breath caught and he nodded. He’d never felt this off-center around anyone.

  “I used to dream about having a large family.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  Willow tilted her head to the side, considering his question. “I never found the right person to love.”

  Her simple words touched something deep inside Zac, something he’d locked away from the world. He wanted to be the person Willow could love, the man who would make her life complete.

  All he had to do was convince her they could be perfect for each other.
/>   He looked up when a man stopped beside them. The wariness in the stranger’s gaze made every protective instinct inside Zac leap to attention.

  Willow’s face turned white. “David? What are you doing here?”

  “I spoke to a woman at the general store. She said I’d find you at the church.”

  “I told you I didn’t want to see you again.”

  That was enough for Zac. He stood, hoping the guy got the message and left.

  But David didn’t look as though he was going anywhere. “An executive at Sunset Records saw the YouTube video of you singing. He wants to talk about producing another album.”

  “That part of my life is over.”

  “The contract could be worth a lot of money.”

  Willow’s gaze hardened. “I’m not interested.”

  David glanced at Zac before pulling a business card out of his pocket. “If you change your mind, I’m staying in a vacation home called Acorn Cottage. I’ll be in Sapphire Bay until Saturday morning.” When Willow didn’t take his card, he left it on the arm of the sofa. “At least tell me you’ll think about it.”

  “I don’t need to. Goodbye.”

  David’s eyes narrowed. He looked down at Rebecca, then up at Zac.

  “You heard, Willow,” Zac said. “She wants you to leave.”

  “I’m not here to cause trouble.” When his comment was met by hostile silence, David turned on his heels and left.

  As soon as he was out the door, Zac sat beside Willow. “Are you all right?”

  She took a deep breath. “Can you take Rebecca?”

  He nodded and held the soft bundle of baby against his chest.

  Willow rubbed her hands along her jeans. “That was David McBride. He used to be my manager.”

  “The one who stole the rights to your songs?”

  Willow nodded. “I never thought I’d see him again. He shouldn’t be here.”

  “You don’t have to talk to him.”