“Do you think Ben dreamed of Valerie returning like this?” his dad asked.
“I know he’s dreamed of a mom.” Dan paced around the room. “Sophie and I have both heard Ella and Ben over the years.”
Jason grimaced. “I doubt Valerie was a part of that dream.”
“What could I offer Brooke?” Dan asked.
“Your love,” his father said.
“It’s not that simple,” Dan argued.
“It should be.” Jason followed their father to the door. “It should be just that simple.”
The soft click hardly disturbed the air. Yet a sense of loneliness vibrated through Dan, weakening his knees and his certainty.
Dan walked to the mantel, stared at the angels. Hope and Joy grinned back at him. All that was missing was Love.
Dan smacked his palm on the bricks lining the fireplace. Love was missing.
And he was going to get her back.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
BROOKE WIPED AT her eyes and stared at her fire-ravaged land. The soot and ash had barely settled, the air barely cleared. The loss rocked her no less hard the second time viewing it.
The claims adjuster from her insurance agency handed her a tissue and an apology, as if assuming her tears were for the land and home she’d lost. But her tears weren’t only for the destruction the wildfire had caused to her neighbors on the mountain. The bulk of her tears were for all that Brooke had left behind in the city five days ago.
“Can I give you a ride someplace?” the adjuster asked.
Not unless you’re driving to San Francisco. Brooke shook her head. “That’s my rental car across the street.”
The insurance agent promised to be in touch later in the week and left for his next appointment. Brooke surveyed her land one last time, got into her car and drove down the mountain.
The animal shelter was desperate for volunteers. And Brooke was desperate to keep busy. To do something outside her rental house. Only a month ago, she’d been content to remain inside her mountain cabin and keep to herself.
Now the blank walls pressed in on her. The silence irritated and forced her outside. Forced her off the property and out into the world. The dogs watched the front door as if waiting for Ben to burst inside to play or Dan to greet them with a belly rub. The dogs watched the door as if waiting for their world to come back.
But that wasn’t going to happen. Brooke gripped the steering wheel. This was her world now. Five days ago, she’d left the hospital and Dan behind. She’d rented a car, loaded up her pets and few things, then called her in-laws. Ann and Don had met her at the rental house with keys and open arms.
But the arms Brooke wanted to step into were Dan’s. The keys she wanted were the ones to his heart. Yet to have Dan’s love, she had to open her own heart. She had to love in return. She had to love despite the fear.
At the animal shelter, Brooke urged a Lab mix back into his kennel and shut the door. Four hours walking the shelter dogs should’ve been enough to walk off her melancholy. Four hours should’ve been enough to shake off her loneliness.
Instead, Brooke got into her car, feeling more dismal and alone than ever. She checked her phone messages.
Ava had texted to remind Brooke that she’d promised to help her shoe shop for her bridesmaid’s outfit this weekend.
Cara texted to let Brooke know that Earl was settled into his new rooms and eager for visitors. And apple-cinnamon turnovers.
Teresa forwarded pictures of Sherlock sleeping on the couch with their newest addition, a senior cat named Beau, courtesy of Sophie at The Pampered Pooch. Then invited her to come meet him.
Nichole texted asking about a basketball rematch with the boys. Her place this time.
Sophie texted a picture of chocolate croissants and labeled it: bribery. Then added: to get you to come back where you belong.
Evie forwarded the invite for the Second Winders upcoming gathering the following week, and that there was a two-dollar minimum. And added: Helen says you forgot her advice and wanted to remind you—it’s all about the kiss. Nothing else matters.
Broke swiped at her face, brushing the tears from her cheeks the entire drive back to her rental house. She was alone again. While a group of people wanted to be with her in the city. A group of friends wanted to support her. Wanted to be there for her. And she wanted to be there for them.
Brooke pulled into the driveway and dropped her head on the steering wheel. She’d built a support system, then abandoned it. Her therapist would be disappointed in her choices. Brooke was disappointed in herself, too.
How many times had her clients reminded her to cherish what she had while she had it? The wildfires and the accident were personal examples of how precious time was.
Do things that scare you. Earl’s words circled through her. She was always scared.
Brooke got out of the car and hurried inside. Perhaps that was the catch. She was always scared. Would always be scared. But Dan had called her brave.
And she wanted to be brave now. She wanted to have courage for the people she loved. Brooke picked up her phone and scrolled through her contact list. She pressed the phone number and waited for the call to connect.
Several hours later, the doorbell rang. And Brooke jolted. She picked up her garbage bag of personal items—she really needed to buy luggage—and rushed to the door. Her greeting dwindled, and the garbage bag sagged onto the floor beside her feet.
“Don’t say anything,” Dan said quickly. “Just listen.”
She couldn’t speak if she wanted to, her heart raced so fast. Dan. Dan was here. On her doorstep.
“If you’re choosing to be alone, I’ll walk away and leave you to it.” Dan drew a deep breath and focused on her.
Alone. She didn’t want to be alone.
“But if you’re settling for being alone because you’re scared. Or worried. Or too afraid. Then I want to change your mind.” He held his hands out at his sides. “I’m scared, too. I’m worried that I’ll lose you. That I won’t ever love you like you deserve. That I’ll fail you.”
She’d already failed him. She’d walked away. She reached for him.
He shook his head. “I have to get this out. I have to tell you that I love you. Not the young kind of love that burns hot and fast. Rather, the kind that doesn’t need to be proven to the world or put on display for it to matter. It’s the kind of love that sticks.” Dan pressed his fist over his heart. “That sticks in your heart for a lifetime.”
Brooke covered her mouth with her hand. She knew that kind of love. She felt that kind of love in her heart, too. For Dan. She started to speak...
Ben squeezed in front of Dan. “Is it my turn now?”
Brooke sobbed. She couldn’t stop it this time.
Dan set his hands on Ben’s shoulders yet kept his gaze locked on Brooke. “It’s your turn, Ben.”
“Brooke, you have to come home. Dad doesn’t smile anymore, and his vegetables don’t taste so good.” Ben chewed on his bottom lip. “And I think your pets miss me because I really miss them.”
Ben couldn’t miss her pets more than Brooke had missed this sweet precious boy or his dad.
“But mostly, you gotta come home because I miss you.” Ben lifted his chin and looked at her. “My heart always wished for a mom and then I got you.”
Both of Brooke’s hands weren’t enough to capture her tears.
Ben glanced up at his dad. “Is she okay?”
Brooke brushed at her cheeks, unable to stop crying. “I’m going to be.”
Dan pointed at the garbage bag near her feet. “Were you about to leave for somewhere?”
“Yes.” Brooke used her sweater sleeve to dry her face. “As a matter of fact, I was waiting for my ride to arrive.”
Ben’s eyebrows pulled together. “When is your ride getting he
re?”
Brooke tipped her head and studied Dan. “Your dad didn’t tell you?”
“Tell us what?” Dan looked at Ben.
Ben shrugged and shook his bangs out of his eyes.
“I called your dad to ask if he’d come and pick me up.” Brooke stepped out onto the front porch.
“Why?” Dan watched her. A smile lifted one corner of his mouth. And love and hope curled through his gaze.
“I wanted to come home. I wanted to be with my family and friends.” Brooke opened her arms. “But even more, I wanted to be with the people I love.”
“Yes,” Ben shouted and wrapped his arms around her waist. He pulled back enough to look up at her. “Can I get the animals ready?”
Brooke stepped to the side to let Ben rush ahead. His greeting for the dogs bounced off the walls.
Dan held back. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure I’m scared. I’m sure I’ll always worry.” Brooke closed the distance. “But I’m even more sure in our love. Certain that I can face anything with you beside me.”
Dan framed her face with his hands. “And if something happens?”
Brooke set her hands over his and locked her gaze on his. “Then I’ll know I lived and loved without regrets. And I’ll look back on a life well lived.”
“I love you.” Dan leaned toward her, covered her mouth with his.
And Brooke put everything in her heart into that one kiss. She didn’t know what the future would bring. But for right now, she loved.
And in loving, she lived.
EPILOGUE
One week later
“BROOKE, WE’RE SO happy you came.” Ann Ellis hugged her warmly. Brooke noticed Ann studying her intently, her gaze calm and peaceful. Then she nodded as if she’d found what she had been looking for. “And you brought company?”
Brooke motioned Dan and Ben over for introductions.
Her mother-in-law wrapped both Sawyers in her warm embrace. Stepping back, the kind woman held on to Dan’s hand. “You’re the one who has put the light back into Brooke’s world.”
Dan smiled. “Brooke has done the same for me.”
Ann grabbed Brooke’s hand and linked their hands together. “That’s all we can ask for. A life that shines with love for as long as we have it to hold on to.”
“I never expected...” Brooke started.
“That’s the challenge, isn’t it? To keep living.” Ann squeezed her hand. “Phillip would never have wanted us to stop living.”
“I believe that now.” Brooke glanced at Dan, grateful for his strength and support. Even more so for his steady love.
Don arrived and greeted them. “Well, believe this, too,” he said, “Phillip would approve. He’d want this for you.”
“Thank you.” Brooke hugged him. “Thank you for loving me.”
“Always.” Ann whispered, “That never changed.”
Brooke wiped her eyes. “I think I forgot for a while.”
“Please be happy,” she said.
“I will,” Brooke promised.
“If you walk to the end of the beach, you’ll have a perfect view of the sunset.” She pointed down the shoreline.
Dan took Brooke’s hand in his. “Shall we?”
“Definitely.” Brooke reached for Ben’s hand.
Together they walked along the beach, smiling, looking ahead to their future.
* * *
Don’t miss more great heartfelt romances
from acclaimed author Cari Lynn Webb,
available today at www.Harlequin.com!
Keep reading for an excerpt from A Family for Jason by Virginia McCullough.
Join Harlequin My Rewards today and earn a FREE ebook!
Click here to Join Harlequin My Rewards
http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010003
We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Heartwarming title.
You’ve got to have heart.... Harlequin Heartwarming celebrates wholesome, heartfelt relationships imbued with the traditional values so important to you: home, family, community and love.
Enjoy four new stories from Harlequin Heartwarming every month!
Connect with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!
Other ways to keep in touch:
Harlequin.com/newsletters
Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks
Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks
HarlequinBlog.com
Join Harlequin My Rewards and reward the book lover in you!
Earn points for every Harlequin print and ebook you buy, wherever and whenever you shop.
Turn your points into FREE BOOKS of your choice
OR
EXCLUSIVE GIFTS from your favorite authors or series.
Click here to join for FREE
Or visit us online to register at
www.HarlequinMyRewards.com
Harlequin My Rewards is a free program (no fees) without any commitments or obligations.
A Family for Jason
by Virginia McCullough
CHAPTER ONE
RUBY DRISCOLL BLINKED back tears at the sight of Emma standing on her porch on this golden late September afternoon. Emma had warned her about what to expect, but the sight of her best friend bent over with her hands clutching a walker still put a lump in Ruby’s throat.
Ruby hurried up the porch stairs and gingerly wrapped her arms around Emma’s shoulders. “I’m so sorry about this.”
Emma smiled faintly and patted the walker. “No pity party for me. This contraption is only temporary until the op next week, Rubes.”
Rubes. Only a handful of people had ever been allowed to call her that, and they were all from deep in her past. Her dad. Emma, her first friend, and Mike, her first love.
Seeing pain pinching Emma’s face, images of a tall, spunky girl raced through Ruby’s mind like movie clips. This was Emma, who once did twenty perfect and unforgettable cartwheels in a row, beating her nearest competitor by eight. Emma, always the first to call out “Hey, Rubes, I dare you to swim all the way to the raft.” Then Emma would take off like a shot, leaving Ruby struggling to keep up.
Now Ruby couldn’t help but stare at her almost thirty-eight-year-old friend gripping the walker, her knuckles white. She’d exchanged slim-legged jeans for baggy drawstring pants. Her long, dark brown hair was gone, replaced with a no-fuss pixie.
“Come in,” Emma said. “Let’s get you settled.”
“I’ll get Miss Peach. She’s been cooped up in the car for hours. I’ll walk her around the yard before I bring her in.”
Emma rolled her big brown eyes. “Only you would end up with a dog named Miss Peach. You, who never wanted the bother of a house plant, let alone a pet.”
Ruby smiled and went back down the stairs to her car. “Things happen,” she replied, looking back over her shoulder. “But you’ll see. Peach has lovely manners.”
Adjusting to living in someone else’s house, even Emma’s, was part of the reality she’d signed up for. But it wasn’t Ruby’s fault Emma was a cat person. No one had pressed Ruby to rescue a cat. Peach—Ruby dropped the Miss part most of the time—was a lovely golden retriever who’d more or less shown up at her door. Ruby lifted the hatchback to let the dog jump to the ground. “Time for introductions, Peach. You need to be on your best behavior.”
Ruby clipped on the leash and wandered into the field of prairie flowers and grasses adjacent to the house. She lifted her face to the sun and closed her eyes, needing a minute to settle the uneasy stirring in her belly. Arriving on Emma’s doorstep was mixed up with so much more than simply adjusting to sharing someone else’s space for a couple of months. Only two weeks ago, Emma had called and asked her to come
back to Bluestone River to help her through a back surgery. The procedure was a step of last resort and with any luck it could resolve the damage caused by an old injury once and for all.
No need for Emma to point out the obvious: Ruby had nothing to lose by walking away from her life in Florida. In fact, Emma had been the first person Ruby called after the superintendent of the Morton School District told her to clean out her desk and leave the building. Only two years earlier, Ruby had embraced her job as the head of special programming for the school system with her whole heart, living and breathing her innovative antibullying program as if nothing else mattered. Now, her reason for staying in Florida had vanished with her job.
Ruby was brash in assuring her mom and her sister, Dee, that she’d quickly regroup and find a new, even better position where her efforts would be appreciated and fully supported. Maybe she’d even change fields. Wouldn’t that be something? In the meantime, Ruby feigned a breezy attitude during phone conversations with Emma, as if to say “don’t be silly, being unemployed was no big deal.” She had no regrets, she glibly claimed. Like she could fool Emma any more than she could fool herself.
Twenty years ago Ruby fled Bluestone River and vowed never to come back. Leaving was her choice, but that hadn’t prevented her from feeling driven out by a tragedy that exploded every dream she’d ever had. The idea of returning to Bluestone River for any reason had been unthinkable, at least until Emma called. Ruby never could say no to her best friend.
Now, the autumn breeze caressed her cheeks and fallen leaves swirled around Emma’s front yard and called up bittersweet memories of carefree days with Mike and Emma and all their friends.
Ruby called the dog back to her side. “I couldn’t leave you behind in Florida, no matter what.” At the moment, the retriever was far more interested in the smells on the unfamiliar ground than the sound of Ruby’s voice, but Peach didn’t resist being led back to the house. “Don’t worry, girl, you’ll grow on Emma, just like you grew on me.” Ruby gave Peach an affectionate pat before going back up the stairs and letting herself in the house.
Single Dad to the Rescue Page 25