Hold on to Hope

Wasn’t sure if it was an objection or agreement that was getting ready to come off my tongue, but he held up his hand to stop me from saying anything. “And it’s even harder when you realize she found that person at such a young age. Hard to watch a little girl love with everything she has. It’s terrifying being afraid she might be crushed if she lost it.”

Guessed Frankie and I hadn’t even come close to managing to hide it.

His mouth pinched when he shook his head. “And when you took yourself from her? Made the choice to leave her? That was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to witness. Watching my child crumble, fall apart, and be helpless to do anything about it.”

Emotion clotted the airflow at the base of my throat, knives of regret impaling my skin. “I never wanted to hurt her.”

“Don’t imagine much that you did, but the fact of the matter is you left her, Evan. You up and left her without a word and then came riding back with a kid three years later. After she’s finally, finally moved on.”

Knew his voice was strained with emphasis.

My brow twisted, half apology, half aggression. “Jack’s an asshole. She doesn’t belong with him. She belongs with me.”

His nod was slow. “You’re right. She belongs with you.” He pushed off the counter, cocked his head to the side as he took one step my direction. “So don’t you dare stand behind your disability and say you are protecting her when who you are protecting is yourself. When it’s you who is scared of losing her. You love her? Fucking prove it.”

Lifting my jaw, I gave him all the honesty I had. “That’s why I wanted you to come, Uncle Rex. To tell you that is exactly what I intend to do. To tell you it was wrong that we kept it from you, and I was a fool to leave. It is the biggest regret of my life. But I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

He huffed a breath through his nose, and he moved toward me, shocking the hell out of me when he pulled me in for an overbearing hug. Arms tight for a full two seconds. He clapped me on the shoulder and then squeezed it when he pulled away. “It’s good to have you home, Evan. We missed you.”

* * *

Frankie Leigh fumbled along the sidewalk as I led her toward the single step, the blindfold hiding the thrill I knew would be waiting behind those gorgeous eyes.

“What are we doing, Evan?”

“I told you, I have a surprise for you.”

“I know you did, but I’ve been wearing this thing since you showed up at the café and kidnapped me.”

“Believe me, it will be worth it.”

Unable to see, she focused all of her excitement on that bottom lip she was chewing to shreds.

Fucking loved it.

Loved her.

Loved it all.

It bottled in my chest.

Pushing and expanding.

Getting ready to blow.

I’d never been so happy in my entire life.

“Easy, there’s a step,” I warned her as I helped her up it. The white wooden planks thudded under our feet.

Could see the questioning grin quirk at the corner of her mouth. “Where are we?” she asked, already in awe before she even knew what to be in awe about.

“Where I want you to be,” I told her. Wondering if she could feel the disturbance.

The restless harmony.

The peaceful anxiety.

Yeah, I was excited.

So goddamn excited I was sweating.

I led her to a stop right in front of the door, then I inhaled the deepest breath as I swung it open. I let my fingertips flutter across her mouth, her nose, her cheek before I finally removed the blindfold from her eyes and urged her across the threshold.

Confusion contorted every line on her stunning face, her eyes rushing to take in the massive room we stepped into.

Hope and a future echoing back.

So it turned out if you had enough money you could make things happen quick.

I’d sped through the process of buying and had the house furnished in a handful of days.

I stood back and watched her as she took the whole place in. Bewilderment that slowly turned into a soft wonder. She finally turned back to me. EVAN, WHAT IS THIS?

I slowly edged her way. IT’S LOVE, FRANKIE. THIS HOUSE IS LOVE.

Knew she was trying to stop them, but tears streamed from her eyes. FOR US?

IF YOU WANT IT.

There was a question there.

A petition.

A call.

I dropped to a knee and pulled out the ring I had in my pocket.

Frankie’s hands went to her mouth.

No, I couldn’t see what she was saying.

But I felt it.

I knew it.

“When I was eight, I promised you I’d marry you for real, Frankie Leigh. I told you again when you were eighteen. I think it’s time I kept that promise.”