“I think she fell asleep before the second page.” He’d walked in without me noticing.
I straightened my posture. “She had an enormous day. I’m surprised she didn’t fall asleep in the shower.”
He bypassed the whole scene of lounging, making me feel like dog doo for not telling him earlier, and walked to the front door. So much space had grown between us since I confessed my secret.
“Sam, I’m sorry.”
He turned to face me, his hand in a fist. “You’re sorry?”
“Let’s go outside. I don’t want Rose to wake up.”
He opened the door and walked out. I stood on the opposite side of the porch, still able to see the pulse of his temple beating.
“Do you realized how much has been robbed of me? First steps, first movie, first day of school.”
“It’s not as if she has her driver’s license, Sam. And school doesn’t begin until next month. And yes, you weren’t a part of all those. But I kept her away because I thought Gennifer was with you.”
“And this weekend? When you clearly saw Gennifer wasn’t with me? Why didn’t you tell me then? I thought there was something between us. Clearly you backed away at the winery, but when I held your hand at home, I felt something. I thought you did, too.”
“Why did you go back with Gennifer?” I changed the spotlight to heat him up a bit.
“What are you talking about?”
“We were married, Sam. I just found out about Sophie…about how Gennifer was stalking me. Why did you choose her?”
“Choose her? There was no choice. You left. You moved here. And last I remember, I called and you said never to call again.”
Classic guy mistake. I say don’t call; he doesn’t. How does that prove I’m worth fighting for? Where are the manuals for situations like this, anyway?
“I just found it strange how you fell right back into a relationship with her, that’s all.”
He raked his hair. “Are you hearing yourself, Sarah? You told me never to call you. Not to try to communicate. Did you think I wouldn’t abide by your wishes? I’d just lied about my relationship with Sophie. I didn’t confess the truth about her mother. I felt like a fool. I wasn’t about to chase you for you to hit me over the head again.”
I shrugged and kicked at the concrete.
“Your lie was bigger, anyway. I would never hide the truth about having a child and not telling the other parent.”
Technically he couldn’t, but I wasn’t about to point out the obvious.
“I know. It was bad. But she was all I had. I’ve explained. I just lost my dad; there was no one else for me. Nothing that connects me with anyone on this planet. Just Rose.”
He took a step toward the stairs. “I’d appreciate it if you let her come to Charleston before school begins. I’ll take time off. Sophie will enjoy knowing she has a sister.”
I lowered my head. “That will be fine.”
“I’ll call when I free my schedule.” He took the first step cautiously and turned around.
I busied myself, pulling at a string on my shirt. “Okay.”
He stepped off into the night.
My eyes were drawn to a man under a streetlamp next door. He was looking my way. I couldn’t make out who he was. I turned and went inside before I could hear Sam’s car start. I crashed on the sofa, grabbed a pillow, and began to cry. In one fell swoop, my world as I knew it was crashing all around me. Not even a call to Maggie would begin to repair it. Still, I grabbed my phone and dialed her number. It was going to be a long call.
The Kentucky Cure
The Secret He Keeps
The Finding Amy Series
Waking Amy
Leaving Amy
Finding Amy
The Sarah Series
Searching For Sarah
Pursuing Sarah
Pursuing Sarah (Sarah Series Book 2) Page 25