A Mother's Secret. Gabrielle Meyer

a couple more months, he wanted Joy and the kids to feel at home.

      “I don’t know what color to get for Kinsley and Harper’s room,” she said with a sigh. “Kinsley insists on pink and Harper on purple.”

      Chase couldn’t help but smile. It was easy to tell the girls apart that morning when he’d joined them for breakfast, because they were dressed the same as the day before, except this time, they weren’t wearing overalls, but matching sundresses. Pink for Kinsley, purple for Harper.

      “You can’t change the color of their clothes, or I’ll never get them straight.” Chase took a left onto Main Street, the sight of the stately brick buildings bringing back even more memories.

      “I’ve bought everything in those two colors.” Joy’s hair continued to blow in the wind, giving her a wild, carefree look. “If one of them decides to like yellow or green, I’ll be in trouble.”

      Chase was quiet for a moment as he thought about the twins. Of all the things that had surprised him these past couple of days, Joy’s twin daughters were the biggest shock. They had her brown eyes and her heart-shaped mouth, but those were the only features they shared with their mom. Yesterday, he hadn’t thought too much about their father, but today, the thought had crossed his mind several times. Was Joy still in a relationship with him? If she was, no one had mentioned it. Had the dad skipped out on her? Was he still part of their lives?

      It wasn’t his place to ask her such a personal question, especially if the breakup was painful, but he couldn’t help but wonder. Would she open up about it, if he asked?

      Joy waved at several people along Main Street and one older gentleman shouted a hello as they turned onto Broadway. The sun reflected off the large plate glass windows on several buildings. A bakery, a bookstore, a woman’s clothing store and more filled the charming downtown. Colorful flower baskets hung from historic streetlights and cast-iron benches were positioned along the tree-lined street.

      At the hardware store, it took them over an hour to select paint and find all the necessary supplies to make repairs on their list. They carried doorknobs, hinges, light switches and plaster out to the Jeep when they were finished.

      “Is the West Side Café still open?” Chase asked Joy after they secured their purchases in the back seat.

      “Of course.” She repositioned a can of paint. “It’s the most popular restaurant in town.”

      “I have been craving their stuffed hash browns and biscuits and gravy for years.” Just the thought of them made his stomach growl. “How about an early supper?”

      She paused as she climbed into the Jeep. Her face grew serious and she shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Chase.”

      He got into the driver’s seat, but didn’t put the keys in the ignition. “Why not?”

      She sat and clasped her hands on her lap. “It’s too complicated.”

      Chase put his hands on the steering wheel and studied the bricks on the building ahead of him. He didn’t want to go another step further until he apologized to her, but how could he put into words the regret he felt? There was no way to explain his actions—or any excuse that could possibly make up for the heartache he was sure she had endured. The only thing he could think to say was, “I’m sorry.”

      She didn’t respond, but stayed motionless in the seat next to him.

      He faced her. “There’s nothing I can say—”

      “No.” She swallowed. “There’s not, so please don’t even try.”

      “But I have to. I was young and stupid—not to mention scared.” His words sounded flat, even to himself. “I know that’s not an excuse, but it’s the truth. If I could go back—”

      “What?” She finally looked at him. “What would you do differently? Stay? Stand up to your father?” She put up her hand. “No. Don’t answer me. I don’t want to know. I’d prefer to just focus on the present and what I need to do to keep Bee Tree Hill for my children.”

      “Joy?” A tall man approached the Jeep wearing a black pinstripe suit and a red tie. He wore shiny black shoes and dark sunglasses, and carried a briefcase.

      “Tom.” Joy got out of the Jeep and met him in the parking lot. They embraced and when Joy pulled away, she had a beautiful smile on her face. “When did you get back?”

      “Last night.” He took off his sunglasses and grinned at Joy. “I was going to call when I got home, but it was too late. And then this morning, I had an early hearing. I was just entering the courthouse when I saw you.” He held her at arm’s length. “You look great.”

      Joy dipped her head and continued to smile. “You look good yourself. The Florida sun agrees with you.”

      Chase stepped out of the Jeep, tired of being ignored, and extended his hand to Joy’s friend. “I’m Chase.”

      “I’m sorry.” Joy motioned to Chase. “Tom Winston, this is Chase Asher—Morgan Asher’s great-nephew.”

      Tom’s eyebrows came up. “This is Chase?”

      Chase clenched his jaw at the question, but Joy simply nodded.

      “It’s nice to finally meet you.” Tom shook Chase’s hand with a steel-like grip. “What brings you back to town?”

      Chase hated to say why he came, but he had little other choice. “I’m here on behalf of the Asher Corporation to sell Bee Tree Hill.”

      Tom’s smile fell and he looked at Joy. “Did you know this was going to happen?”

      She shook her head. “I thought Uncle Morgan made his wishes known to the corporation, but apparently he didn’t.” Her mouth thinned. “And, if he did, I doubt his wishes would be honored.”

      It was a dig to Chase’s family, but it was probably true.

      “Do you want me to check and see if there’s anything you can do from a legal standpoint?” Tom asked. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes for you and the kids.”

      Joy put her hand on Tom’s arm and smiled. “I know you are, but I don’t think there’s much you can do this time.”

      Tom’s face was serious as he looked deep into Joy’s eyes. “If you’d only give me the word, I’d be by your side. You know I’d go to the moon and back for you and the kids.”

      Chase narrowed his gaze as he studied Tom’s face. Was there a resemblance between him and the twins?

      “Tom.” Joy glanced at Chase, her cheeks turning pink. Was she embarrassed that Chase heard Tom?

      “I ask her to marry me about every six months since she told me she was pregnant with the girls.” Tom pulled Joy to his side and put his arm around her, but he looked at Chase. “Maybe you can convince her to say yes to me.”

      She put her hand on Tom’s chest and playfully pushed him away. “You only ask me because you feel sorry for me.”

      “Your words hurt, Joy.” Tom grinned, but then he grew serious again. “And you know that’s not true.”

      An awkward silence came between them and Chase stepped over to the Jeep to open the door for Joy. “We should probably get back. Mrs. Thompson will be wondering why we’ve been gone so long.”

      “Are you staying at Bee Tree Hill?” Tom asked Chase.

      “In the carriage house,” Joy supplied as she got into the Jeep and closed the door. The window had been rolled down, so she put her elbow on the ledge and reached out to take Tom’s hand. “Come by sometime soon. The kids miss you.”

      Tom wrapped both his hands around Joy’s. “I will. And I’ll see if I can do something about the estate.”

      “Thanks.” She waved as Chase