Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
My breath caught as I studied him. I had missed him so much. A hundred times, I had picked up my phone to call and apologize, only to set it back down again. But he had come to me. I drew in a ragged breath, unable to stop staring at him.
He glanced up, seeing me, and pushed off the car. He strode to the end of the driveway, staring and not speaking.
Then he held out his arms, and I broke into a run, rushing as fast as I could to get to him.
He braced himself as I lunged the last couple of feet, his arms going around me tightly, holding me close. A sob escaped my mouth, and his grip tightened.
“It’s okay, love. I’m here.”
“I’m sorry,” I sobbed. “I’m so sorry.”
“I know,” he soothed. “I understand.”
“I was awful.”
He set me on my feet, cupping my face. “You were upset and hurting. You still are.” He bent and brushed his mouth to mine. “I couldn’t stay away anymore.”
I gripped his wrists. “Please forgive me. Stay. I need you, Luc.”
He wrapped me in his arms again. “Yes, love. I’ll stay. We’ll figure this out.”
I let him lead me into the house.
18
ASHLEY
Luc pushed me gently in the direction of my room. “Go shower and change.”
“But—”
He shook his head. “I’ll be right here. I’m going to make you a bagel and some tea.”
I loved bagels. I always kept a supply in my freezer. They were perfect for breakfast, snacks, sandwiches—everything.
“Okay. I won’t be long.”
He kissed the end of my nose. “I’ll wait.”
I stood in place, looking at him. Smiling in understanding, he stroked my cheek. “It’s all right, love. I’m not going anywhere.”
Comforted, I took a shower and changed, pinning my hair up on my head and choosing casual pants and a shirt.
I found Luc in the kitchen, a steaming cup of tea waiting and a bagel smothered in cream cheese on a plate. He pushed it toward me, bringing a plate for himself and sitting next to me. We munched in silence, his presence a calming balm to my soul. He watched me eat, tsking when I stopped after half.
“A little more. Bagels are your favorites.”
I shook my head. “My appetite is off.”
He sighed, taking my hand. “Have you eaten anything since I left the other day?”
“Yes.”
“Aside from crackers, coffee, and some yogurt?”
“How did you know?”
He tilted his head. “I know you. You have to look after yourself.”
I met his eyes, basking in the gentleness of them. All the anger of the other day had faded for both of us.
“I thought I lost you.”
“No. It was a disagreement. I left to give you some time to think, but I didn’t leave forever.” He cupped my cheek. “You’re stuck with me, love.”
I covered his hand with mine, turned my head, and kissed the palm. “You’re a good thing to be stuck with. I missed you so much.”
“I missed you too.”
“I wanted to call you—” a half sob escaped my mouth “—but my pigheaded stubbornness stopped me.”
He chuckled. “I love your pigheaded stubbornness most of the time.”
“I’m sorry. My anger and frustration just took over—” I shook my head, unable to articulate what I wanted to say. “I’ve never been so angry.”
“Talk to me. Explain it to me. Is it Richard you’re angry with? Your mother? The situation? The fact that you now know? How you found out? I need to understand.”
I blew out a long sigh. “All of it? None of it? I can’t even tell you. The last thing I expected when you took me to that party was to suddenly come face-to-face with my father.” I got up and began to pace, unable to sit still. “My anger is irrational, I know. I’m furious at him because he ignored me. Horrified that perhaps my mother lied to me. Resentful of the love I saw him lavish on his other kids. I would have given anything to have had that while I was growing up, instead of the feeling of not being enough for an imaginary person in my head. Because that was all he was to me. I’m furious that Heather and Grace and the others grew up knowing that love.”
“All fairly normal reactions, I think,” he said.
“Then I was angry at you because you got to know him. Not me. You. You got the benefit of the years, of his wisdom, his affection. You got to be in that circle that seems so close and strong. Once again, I was on the outside looking in.” I threw up my hands. “How’s that for irrational?”
“Are you still angry?”
I dropped my arms. “I’m tired, Luc. I’m tired of the questions with no answers. Of going round and round in my head, trying to decide who is lying. Why anyone lied. Why I feel so angry and hurt.” I sat down, suddenly exhausted.