Imperfect Love (Heart of Hope 4)

“Why?”

I sighed. “I just don’t feel he’s as committed to us as he is his work.”

He nodded in understanding. “Do you love him?”

“Dad—”

“He thinks you don’t love him anymore.”

Jeez, Brayden hadn’t been here that long when he dropped the kids off. How had they gotten into such a deep conversation?

“I do love him. But I’m tired of being in second place.”

“He says he’s changing that.”

I rolled my eyes. “He always says that. There’s always one last project and then he’ll have time, but he never does. Nothing ever changes.”

“So, you're gonna live here forever? What’s your plan?”

I felt tears spring to my eyes. There was so much, too much, going on. “Right now, I’m going to fight this cancer. After that…I don’t know.”

His brows rose to his hairline in surprise. “You don’t know?” Then his eyes narrowed. “You need to talk to him Terra. It’s immature to ignore him especially if you’re planning on leaving.”

“I never said I was leaving,” I said defensively, although I don’t know why. Clearly, I’d thought about it.

“Brayden may have his faults, but he loves you and the kids. You could do a lot worse.” He stood. “Go home and sort out your marriage, Terra. Whether you stay or go, I’ll be here for you. But you can’t hide.”

I hated that he was right. I felt like a petulant teenager the way I’d run off and was ignoring Brayden. It was time I face my life. That evening I texted him that me and the kids would be home by nine the next morning.

The kids were cheering as I pulled the car into the driveway of our home.

“I hope daddy is awake,” Lanie said.

“Me too,” Noah agreed.

I grabbed our bags from the trunk as the kids rushed to the front door.

“Who’s there?” Brayden said opening the door. “I’m not buying.”

“It’s us daddy,” Lanie said.

Brayden dropped to a squat. “I’ll buy you every day and twice on Sundays.” He scooped them both into his arms. His head dropped between them, like he was savoring having them home. I felt a tinge of guilt for taking them from him.

He lifted his head as he saw me coming up the walk.

“There’s a surprise in each of your rooms,” he said to the kids. T

o me he said, “Let me carry those.”

The kids ran into the house as he reached for the bags I was carrying.

“I’m glad you’re home.” He leaned forward and kissed me on the cheek. I closed my eyes as the scent and heat of him threatened to demolish the wall I’d erected. I wasn’t ready to let go of my pain and resentment.

I followed him through the house to hallway.

“A shrimp. Daddy got me a shrimp!” Lanie was yelling over and over from her room.

“Me too.” Noah rushed from his room and wrapped his arms around Brayden’s legs. “Thank you, daddy.”