Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 102079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
I shook my head. “You do it for love, or you don’t do it at all.”
He hummed. “Are you speaking from experience?”
I shrugged, wadding the dirty tissue in my hand. “I don’t know. I wasn’t married when I cheated.” I studied his reaction, having no idea if he knew anything for certain about my weekend with Isaac. There were so many unknowns.
Did Matt tell him about the barn?
Did Vi know about Brenda?
I hated the secrets.
“Cheating?” With a slight grin, he shook his head. “Sarah, you’re right. You’re not married. You’re a young woman finding your footing in the world. Unless you’re doing something with a married man, I don’t think you qualify as a cheater.”
“That wouldn’t make me a cheater. It would make me a homewrecker.”
“I suppose.” He pursed his lips. “Not all affairs wreck homes.”
“How can you say that?” I canted my head to the side.
“Because I have a wife and two sons.”
“And a dead mistress.” As soon as I said the words, I wanted to take them back.
Wesley’s eyes reddened again as he swallowed hard.
“Why?” I whispered. “Why do that to your wife? Why risk it?”
He rubbed his temples. “It’s not as simple as you think.”
“I’m listening.”
Wesley shook his head. “I appreciate your willingness to listen. You’re a good person, Sarah. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise. But some things are personal, complicated, and far from what they seem on the surface.” He rested his elbow on the table with his chin in his hand. “You don’t deserve the burden of my life or the story of my marriage. I’m a flawed man who lost my way after something happened. It’s not an excuse for anything that I’ve done. And the pain and—” He fisted his hand at his mouth and shook his head.
The tears fell, and his body trembled.
I wasn’t expecting that level of reaction. Did Vi leave him? Was it all about Brenda?
“I’m sorry,” he said with a strained voice. “I’m so sorry.”
I reached across the table and grabbed his hand. “You don’t owe me an apology.”
He rubbed his eyes, and the pain in them said otherwise.
“Can I ask you for a favor?”
Wesley dug his hanky out of his pocket and wiped his eyes and nose. “Anything.”
“I need a ride to a motel in town.”
“You can stay here.”
I shook my head and chuckled. “No. I can’t.”
After a few seconds, he nodded. “I’ll get you a room.”
“I have money. I just don’t have a car.”
“Sarah, you really should go home.”
“I didn’t run away.” My heart ached as I reached for the hard truth. “My dad kicked me out because I’m a flawed human.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
BONNIE TYLER “TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART”
Isaac left me two thousand dollars. It was a lot, but not enough to last forever since I had to pay for a motel room and food. I waited for days to hear from him. Wesley told me he’d let me know if Isaac called or returned home.
On Monday, Vi visited me.
When I saw her through the peephole, I took a big breath and found a smile as I opened the door.
“Sarah.” Vi hugged me. “How are you holding up?”
“Fine,” I murmured while releasing her.
I wasn’t fine.
I was lost, angry, heartbroken, grieving, and scared.
She stepped into the room, surveying my minimal belongings, takeout bags scattered around, and my guitar on the bed. “I talked with your mom. She’s worried sick. Wesley didn’t think it was my place to tell her your whereabouts, but as a mother, I’m having trouble with it. I told her that you’re safe.”
“Have you heard from Isaac?”
She narrowed her eyes, adjusting her purse on her shoulder. “No. And Matthew won’t talk to me or his dad, but I gather you’ve broken up. Is it because of Isaac?”
I cleared off my bed and sat on the edge as she leaned against the TV console. “Matt and I broke up because …” I shrugged. Did it matter? “We just don’t share the same dreams right now.” I dropped my gaze. “And I love Isaac.”
“What?”
On a slow inhale, I closed my eyes, and all I could see was him.
His knuckles brushing my cheek.
His adoring gaze sweeping along my body.
He made me feel like the sun because everything about him came to life when he looked at me. Indescribable adoration.
“It happened slowly at first, so slowly I didn’t see it. Then it just happened all at once. Taking my breath away. And no matter how wrong this tiny voice in my head said it was, my heart wouldn’t listen. It ignored every ounce of reason. I know I should feel regretful, but I don’t.” I looked up at the tears in her eyes. “Maybe I’m too young to handle a love that intense, but I’m not too young to feel it.” I fought my own emotions. “It’s all I feel,” I whispered. “And I miss him. I miss him more than I miss my family. And I’m so scared that he’s not coming back because …”