They were just kids. Hell, Heath and Julianne were only thirteen at the time. They’d panicked and done what they thought they had to do to protect themselves. If pressed, they could prove Tommy’s death was an accident that happened while defending their sister from Tommy’s attack. Anyone who knew Tommy back then knew what he was capable of. He stole, he got into fights and he didn’t do his fair share around the farm. He’d been brought to the Garden of Eden as a last-ditch attempt to find him a foster home when his own family could no longer control him and no one else would take him.

But that didn’t mean the truth wouldn’t disappoint their parents. That the shock of it wouldn’t give Ken another attack or break Molly’s heart. At the very least, Ken would beat himself up for being sick that day and unable to protect his young daughter when she needed him. He might feel guilty that his sons had had to do it for him and carried the burden of their actions for all these years.

Xander couldn’t disappoint his parents. Or Rose. Or his son. He wouldn’t disappoint his constituents or the people who depended on the Fostering Families Center, either. They had put their faith in him and he wouldn’t abuse their trust.

It seemed everyone had their secrets. Now Xander just had to make sure these secrets didn’t destroy everything they’d worked so hard to build.

Five

Every time the chime on the front door of the diner went off, Rose jumped. She was a nervous wreck. She’d accidently poured water into someone’s lap instead of their glass. There were three order mistakes because she’d written them down wrong. Then she botched the apple pie she needed to bake for the dessert case by adding cups of salt instead of sugar.

She had been on pins and needles the past few days waiting for Xander to show back up again. Sunday had been a big night filled with revelations, kisses and confessions. She still wasn’t entirely sure how she felt about this whole turn of events. It felt good to get the truth about their son out, but everything else was so confusing.

Their date had been wonderful, and the physical reaction to their kisses too strong for her to ignore. A part of her wanted Xander, even if it would be a short-term arrangement. The other part urged her to keep her distance, physically and emotionally. She was no good at separating the two, as was evidenced by her anxiety over his extended absence. She had been busy taking care of Joey and working, but not so much that she didn’t notice he hadn’t come around to see her or Joey.

Today was Wednesday and she hadn’t laid an eye on Xander. Perhaps it was too much for him at once. He’d seemed to take the truth about Joey well. Maybe too well. She’d expected him to be angry at her for lying to him or to accuse her of passing off another man’s child as his. Instead his stoic expression had only given away hints of sadness and disappointment, while his words seemed to understand what she’d done and why.

Perhaps that polished politician’s facade hid the truth and he was quietly freaking out. Or calling his lawyer.

“Rose, are you ready for the strawberry festival?”

She snapped out of her own head and turned to the older gentleman sitting at the counter. Lloyd Singer owned the local pharmacy. Every day, he closed up shop and had lunch at the diner, sitting on the very same stool at the bar. He always ordered a Coke with light ice, a patty melt or a Reuben, and a piece of pie or cake. Today he’d opted for a slice of her strawberry cloud cake. He was a big fan of Rose’s baked goods. Pity he wasn’t one of the judges this year.

Rose smiled and picked up his mostly empty soda glass. “You know what, Lloyd? I’ve hardly given it a thought. Is it this weekend?”

Lloyd shook his head. “That’s what all the banners hanging over the street say. You know, the big red banners with the white block letters. Pretty hard to miss.”

“I’ve been preoccupied,” she admitted, and it was the truth. Between Joey’s arm, Craig’s macho posturing, Xander’s return to Cornwall and receiving another unwanted letter from her father, she’d had zero time to worry about what she was going to make.

“I think,” Lloyd almost whispered, leaning in, “you should go with this strawberry cloud cake. I’ve never tasted anything like it. I’d love to see Lois Walters lose for once.” He pointed at his half-eaten dessert with his fork. “This could do it.”

That was a good idea. She’d never made that for the festival. The cake category wasn’t as hotly contested as some of the others, but the winner of each group did compete for the overall best in show. Wouldn’t that be a coup? “I’ll keep that in mind, Lloyd. Let me get you a refill.”

Rose carried his glass over to the soda dispenser and when she turned around, she nearly spilled the glass, she had such a start. Like a ninja, Xander had slipped into the diner undetected and was now sitting beside Lloyd at the counter, chatting. He was looking incredibly handsome today in a blue polo shirt and khakis. His light brown hair was brushed back out of his eyes and his jaw had a hint of stubble, as though he’d skipped shaving this morning. It was a casual look for him, but she could tell it wasn’t cheap. The tiny polo player stitched onto his chest meant it was a Ralph Lauren piece.

He looked more like the Xander of her memories today. Without the suits and ties and expensive accessories, he was just the boy she’d fallen in love with and she was defenseless against his draw. It made her want to reach across the counter and caress his face. Imagining the rough feel of his unshaven jaw along the palm of her hand sent a thrill through her whole body. The mere fantasy caused goose bumps to race across her skin.

What would actually touching him do to her? She knew the answer to that and a part deep inside of her tightened at the thought. She took a deep breath to compose herself and returned with Lloyd’s drink as though she hadn’t even noticed Xander was there. She didn’t want him to think she’d been sitting around waiting for him the past few days.

Or the past eleven years.

“Afternoon, Xander,” she said with a polite, blank smile she hoped hid the maelstrom of emotions swirling around inside her. “What can I get you today?”

Xander ignored the menu, glancing briefly at the chalkboard for the specials instead. “The chicken and dumplings and a slice of that pink, fluffy goodness he’s got there.”

“You got it.” She disappeared into the kitchen to put his order in. It came up quickly since Oscar already had it made, so she brought it out a few minutes later with a tall glass of water and a slice of strawberry cloud cake.

Lloyd was gone when she returned. It was the tail end of the lunch rush and most of her customers were settling up and returning to work. She dropped off Xander’s food and busied herself collecting dishes, waving goodbye and scooping up the tips into her apron pocket.

When there were no more chores to handle or customers to serve, she returned to her lone customer at the counter. He had finished off his lunch and was halfway through his cake. “Everything okay?” she asked.

Xander nodded. “Give my regards to the baker. This strawberry cake is blue-ribbon material. And since I’ve been recruited as one of the judges, that really means something.”

Rose smiled. “You’re one of the judges, huh? Then I probably shouldn’t tell you, but I’m the one that baked it.”

His brows shot up. “You made this?”

“I do most of the baking here. The owner pays me for each dessert on top of my hourly rate. When I dropped out of college, I got a job working at a bakery near the university. I did mostly counter service, but after a while, I got to help out in the back, too.”

“This is amazing. I’m not entirely sure what it is, but it tastes great.”

“It’s basically a layered angel food cake with a fresh strawberry-meringue filling and iced with white fluff.”