And just like that, she’d abandoned her dreams of graduating, of going to business school, and had picked up and followed him. She’d told herself that she’d resume her schooling after Jenna was born. But then Natalie came along and Paul and time somehow…kept going. The next thing she knew she was a single mom with no education, job, or prospects. Only a broken heart.
She forced a smile, trying to make it appear as if she no longer cared. “I know, you’re probably thinking how my life has become something of a cliché.”
“Hardly. In fact, I was thinking how lucky this guy was to have you only to blow it.”
“You don’t have to say that to make me feel better. I was an idiot and I know it.” She let the sand sift through her fingers one last time and clapped her hands together to wipe them off.
She nearly jumped when Jack’s warm hand dropped over hers. Strong. Assuring. She raised her gaze to his, finding that he’d taken his glasses off so she could see into the depth of those brilliant blue eyes. “You were young and in love and wanted to believe in the best in people,” he said almost softly, but there was force behind his words. “That doesn’t make you an idiot. If anything, I see a woman who’s had to bear a lot of trouble and pain all on her own and who, despite that, has come out on the other end even better. Stronger. With three smart, respectful, adoring kids to show for it.”
It might have been the nicest, most heartfelt thing anyone had ever told her, and tears she hated to shed rose in her eyes as she looked away. But Jack wasn’t having it and tilted her face back toward him. A tear must have slipped, because his hand was wiping something from her cheek.
“I mean it. You don’t seem to realize what an amazing woman you are and you deserve to hear that from someone each and every day.”
How could someone she barely knew have the ability to speak so directly to her heart? Her chest quivered as she tried to catch her breath, still unable to draw her gaze from his.
“Dad?” Lily shouted, and immediately Daisy pulled her hand away from his, missing it the moment she did. “After this, can we head to Emerald Cove to see that old house?”
“Why not?” he called back. “And if we plan it right, we can eat at that little restaurant on the pier you love.”
Lily’s face lit up. “Really?”
“I think there’s even a movie night on the beach later we can all go to.” To Daisy, he added more quietly, “That is if you’re not all sick of us by then.”
Sick wasn’t exactly the word that came to mind. Quite the opposite, really.
She smiled, realizing for the first time that maybe, just maybe, her heart was ready to move on from Leo sooner than she thought.
“I think I could tolerate you for a little longer.”
…
Jack took a pull from the icy cold beer, enjoying the flavor of the unique brew, before tilting his head again up toward the night sky. The moon and stars shone bright, giving him enough light to make out the silhouette of the trees in the backdrop, the ripples of water on the lake.
It was beautiful. Perfect. Just like his day.
And the woman he’d shared it with.
It had been some time since he’d met someone who challenged him like Daisy Sorensen. He’d known from the first moment he saw her and recognized the emotions she stirred that she was going to be a force to reckon with. A sentiment he’d only felt one other time…when he first met his late wife, Lara.
It was strange, really, that two such different women could evoke the same sudden but no less genuine feelings. Whereas Lara, like him, had had every opportunity provided her, thanks to the wealth and connections that being the only child of a federal judge could provide, Daisy had less opportunities but had been blessed with the devoted and unflagging love and support of her family.
Through misguided faith and trust in the wrong man, Daisy’d had to learn to take care of herself and her kids, to become tougher. More independent. But in doing so, she’d clearly built a wall up to protect herself from being vulnerable to that kind of heartache again. Not that he could blame her. She did wha
t she had to do to survive.
He’d done the same thing six years ago when Lara died and his whole world felt like it was collapsing. Only his love for his daughter had helped him move forward. And that had been enough for him all these years.
At least he thought so.
Until moments like today. When he’d seen the love and pride on Daisy Sorensen’s face as she watched her kids fish for the very first time. When she’d turned her face up to the warm sun above as they glided across the surface of the lake, her face soft and relaxed and happy for that brief moment. He’d wanted to erase all the stress she had in her life that prevented her from feeling that free and happy all the time.
It would be easy for him. He had the means. But Daisy was proud—frustratingly proud, and would never accept what he could give her, give her kids. At least for the short amount of time their worlds were intertwined.
It made him feel helpless in some ways. Just as helpless as he’d felt once before. When Lara became sick.
He’d just won that seat on the city council and the demands on his time were merciless. But he was ready to give it all up to be there for her, to ease her discomfort. Help her fight the grip the sickness had on her.
But, selfless as always, she’d refused to let him step down. She’d be all right, she assured him. She would beat it and there really wasn’t anything that his constant presence could do except make her want to strangle him. Something they’d laughed about at the time.