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Tears brim her eyes as she stares at it, and from the smile on her face, I know I’ve gotten it right this time.
I pull her against me and whisper against her hair, “It’s been a long time since I’ve held you. I’m not letting go of you so soon.”
Grabbing my hand, she races off to the picnic, and I follow her like a lost puppy finding his way home.
It’s a test of my patience to keep my focus on the sandwich when I want to pick her up and kiss her until she remembers what it’s like to be loved by me.
I was part of the problem with us, Emryn, but I also trusted you to be there when I was falling apart.
“We can either protect ourselves, or we can open up and give someone else a chance to protect us. But—only one of those options comes with love.”
When he presses his lips against my temple, I know home will always be with him.
Today’s the day you come home to me, and I feel like a kid on Christmas morning.
I want to love you so well that Avery never has to question what love looks like. When she gets older, I want her to know her worth because of how I love you.
We might fight, but I will never let you walk out the door again without me following.
The man is too handsome for his own good. His arms are crossed over his broad chest, and one shoulder is propped up against the porch post—hat flipped backward. I forget my name for a second.
I stopped in the middle of the driveway to ogle my husband.
Don’t just say it because I am—take you’re time because I’m not going anywhere. I’ll earn that love from you again.”
“Yes, I missed tucking Mommy in too.” Her head bobs in a short nod. “Good because Mommy missed you too. I think she was scared of the dark because sometimes I could hear her crying in her room. Now you will be able to protect her from monsters.”
I can’t heal the parts of me that tarnish my marriage if I still let my past control me.
She laughs, bringing me out of my reverie, “Well, I guess I don’t need to pay a penny for those thoughts. I can practically read your mind.”
When we get to the truck, he drops my hand to open my door. In that one action, I feel cherished. I never wanted big things from Brooks—just the little things.
Tayte’s eyes are menacing—a look I’ve never seen on my usually laid-back big brother. Anger flashes across his features as he takes the food from Mia’s hand. “Here, let me show you how to help a lady,” he says, glaring at Chase and shoving the plates into his hands.
Emryn’s arms slip around my waist, her front pressing against my back. Her arms squeeze me tight enough to hold together my broken pieces. “Maybe you didn’t expect him to, but I think you hoped. He could be just running late.”
“Did you just run up here?” I ask, letting my tantrum subside. He narrows his eyes. “I heard screaming. Of course, I ran. You sounded like you were having a toe cut off.”
My sobs slow to hiccups, but Brooks doesn’t stop touching me. I might splinter into a million tiny pieces if he does.
“Looks like she isn’t the only one that’s worn out. Can’t keep up, old man?” I narrow my eyes at her. “Who are you calling old man?” She pushes out of my lap, kisses my cheek, and takes off running. “You,” she calls over her shoulder. “We’re the same age,” I yell, chasing after her.
That’s on me, but more than that, I should have talked to Emryn about this interview. I should have communicated with her because, once again, I’ve left her out of something big. I can only pray she forgives me.
I repeat the words, letting the brokenness flow out of me. It’s not a prayer of substance. It’s desperate and lost.
but even when I pushed him away, he stood there waiting for me to figure out that I couldn’t do it alone. He loved me enough to let me process before I ran to him.
I didn’t talk to her because I felt inadequate. Emryn came home from her meeting, and I was staring at a pile of unpaid bills.
“Let me ask you a question, Brooks. Do you think that love has to be earned?” I tilt my head in confusion. To me, the question is silly. “Of course it does.” “I think we’ve found the root of our problem.
but you—you, I can’t live without. You’re my best friend.
His movements are slow and timid as he reaches up to wrap his arms around me, and I hold this broken man as he falls apart.
Sometimes, things have to fall apart to be put back together.
He glances back over his shoulder, and I swear I can see the boy he was twenty–two years ago. Then I blink, and that young boy is replaced with the man of my dreams.
When I asked your dad if I could marry you, both times, he said yes with one stipulation—I had to protect your heart. I never dreamed that you might have to protect your heart from me, but that’s what you did the day you left.”
