Every carefully constructed sentence by him was further proof that their relationship could and would never be what it once was. Her leaving had destroyed any playfulness and ease they'd established in their few months together. Perhaps one day they would discover the way to forge a path back to one another, but that day was years away. By then Zach might not even want to try.

The important fact here that Jo had to remind herself to cling to was that he hadn't outright denied Ilona's parentage. If anything, wanting to meet her was the sign that he would accept her in whatever meager way he could. Obviously, Zach could never be publicly acknowledge Ilona, to do so would mean ruin for himself and his family. But, perhaps in time she could find a cottage near his and they could work out a schedule for him to visit with Ilona.

Jo took a small sip of her drink to wet her throat. "No, I only arrived here a few weeks ago." She then answered once her glass was back on the table. "I was in the Southern States for most of the time I was away. Georgia, mainly. Originally, the thought was to head West but that didn't work out." She'd made it as far West as Tennessee but once the pregnancy became obvious she headed back towards the coastal towns in Georgia. Somehow, being near the sea was a comfort.

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