Read Online What Might Have Been by Kira Sinclair - Free Book Online

representing the family and she knew that Gran would never want to disappoint.
    â€œI wanted to ask you something.” Something that had been bothering her ever since she and Luke had talked on the dock this morning.
    â€œLuke said that you told him I didn’t want to see him. When he came home for Logan’s funeral.”
    Gran swiveled her head to look at her and simply nodded.
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œWell, because that’s what you told me, dear.”
    â€œNo, I didn’t.”
    â€œOf course you did, honey. You were in and out of it what with the pain and grief and medications but whenever you surfaced you started talking about Luke. At least, for the first few days. It took us a while to figure out what you were saying but…you didn’t want him to see you. That was clear as day.”
    Gran’s eyes suddenly sharpened to the brightness that Ainsley remembered from her first few years here at the orchard.
    â€œYou didn’t want him to know about the baby. You most definitely didn’t want him to know about Alexander.”
    Ainsley sucked back a gasp, holding it in because she didn’t want Gran to see her reaction.
    It was the first time the other woman had ever indicated that she’d known Alexander had been Luke’s and not Logan’s. Gran had never asked and she and Logan had never said.
    â€œI… It’s not…” Ainsley just stared at the other woman, panic and guilt welling up inside.
    â€œDon’t worry, I won’t say anything. But I really think you should. At the time I realized it would only hurt—you and him—and there was really no reason, as it wouldn’t have changed anything. But I think you should tell him now, Ainsley. I think he needs to know, don’t you?”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œIt isn’t good to keep secrets, dear. Especially from the people we love.”
    â€œI don’t—”
    Dismissing the denial she was about to utter, Gran pushed up from the rocking chair. Her movements were unsteady, the moving chair making an already difficult task even more so. But Gran refused to give up her rocker. She’d once told Ainsley that she’d spent many long nights in that chair…nursing and holding Luke’s father.
    It was the kind of history, the kind of loving memory that Ainsley didn’t have. She couldn’t imagine her father staying up all night to console her about anything, let alone rock a crying infant back to sleep. He hadn’t had the patience.
    Or the caring nature.
    Ainsley just sat and watched Gran leave, certain any denial she might utter would sound completely false—it did in her own head. And knowing that any excuse for her behavior would sound petty and selfish—because it was.
    She might have had good reasons then for what shedid…but there was certainly nothing keeping her from revealing the truth now.
    Nothing but her fear that Luke would hate her and never forgive her.
    Not that it mattered. When the sale was complete they’d go their separate ways and probably never see each other again.
    â€œSecond chances don’t come around often, Ainsley.” Gran paused and turned back to look at her. “Trust me when I say, fifty years from now you’ll regret it if you throw this one away.”
    And then she was gone. Her words ringing in Ainsley’s ears and echoing hollowly through her body.
    As much as Gran might like to think so, this was not a second chance.
    It was a goodbye.

6
    S HE WAS SITTING IN THE KITCHEN, a cup of tea cradled between her hands. For some reason, after her conversation with Gran, she’d needed the warmth.
    She hadn’t bothered with the full trappings of tea, unable to eat anything even if it was bite-size or loaded with sugar.
    That’s where Luke found her. He startled her when he entered the room, keys dangling from his fingers.
    â€œI’m heading into town. Do you want to