Secretly Hers (Sterling Canyon)(85)
Emma shot Kelsey a concerned look. “Oh, Kelsey. Don’t get your hopes up. Trip may be accepting responsibility for you and the baby, but that doesn’t mean he’ll do an about-face on his whole life’s philosophy. You can’t expect that, especially not so soon.”
“Life philosophy? No. I think he’s just afraid of love.” She nodded, as if convincing Emma somehow meant she’d win the war for his heart. “Afraid of getting hurt because he hasn’t experienced a lot of unconditional love. Once I prove that I won’t hurt him, he’ll propose.”
“And is that what you want?” Emma pinned her with an openly questioning gaze. “You always talk in the abstract about babies and family and marriage, but do you love Trip? Because, honestly, that’s the only reason you should want to marry him.”
Kelsey’s skin tightened under Emma’s scrutiny. She closed her eyes, embarrassed. “I know I’m probably foolish to have fallen for him, but I have. He’s sexy and surprisingly sweet, strong and willful, fun and sentimental, even if he doesn’t see it. But I haven’t shared my feelings with him yet, at least, not in so many words.”
“So I take it he hasn’t told you he loves you, either.” Emma’s face filled with empathy.
“He hasn’t, but he acts like he loves me. He’s always buying me little gifts, which means he’s thinking about me a lot. He worships me in bed. He’d already given up other women before he even knew about the baby. And he beat Mason to a pulp over me.” Kelsey looked at Emma, seeking confirmation. “Don’t those sound like the actions of a man in love?”
Emma’s skeptical expression spoke volumes. “Well, it sounds like he’s got volatile emotions. Maybe he loves you, but shouldn’t it be easier for both of you to talk about it? I mean, isn’t that what healthy couples do?”
“Heck if I know, Emma. When’s the last time you saw me in a healthy relationship?”
Emma reached for Kelsey’s hands and squeezed them. “Even if he loves you, Kels, that doesn’t mean he’ll ever believe in marriage. I know you think he can be turned around, like Avery. But what if you’re wrong?”
Kelsey’s brain shut down. Honestly, she couldn’t conceive of any person intentionally pushing away love. Surely Trip had convinced himself of this “marriage never works” attitude in order to make sense of the circumstances of his own messed up family . . . his very existence. Once he spent time around loving families and couples, his silly fears would fade.
Kelsey nodded to herself, and then met Emma’s sympathetic gaze. “I’m not wrong.”
Chapter Seventeen
Dusk settled as Trip followed Kelsey onto Maura’s front porch, where he could hear muted conversation and melodies emanating from behind the closed door. The last time he’d climbed these steps carrying a bouquet of flowers, things hadn’t gone so well.
Tonight could be worse.
Across the threshold he’d be facing her parents’ closest friends and family, all of whom had been invited to celebrate their thirty-fifth wedding anniversary. He’d bet his entire trust fund that his and Kelsey’s “situation” would draw unwanted attention and questions, especially now that Avery and Grey had gotten engaged. Nervous anticipation curdled in his stomach, making him wish they could ditch the party altogether.
At least they’d managed to set aside their differences about Wade’s plans since Tuesday rather than fight while awaiting the outcome. But that part of her future was less critical to her, and to her family, than this part—the family part. Trouble here could make everything between Kelsey and him fall to pieces.
“Ready?” Kelsey brushed her hand along his arm. Her golden hair glowed beneath the soft porch light, the tip of her nose rosy from the bite of cold air. She looked stunning, dressed up in a plum-colored ensemble and a brave smile. It still surprised him; the way his heart stuttered each time their eyes met. Her grace under pressure, however, didn’t surprise him.
After taking an extra second to admire her, he followed her lead and faked a smile despite entering the gauntlet. “Let’s go.”
They’d barely stepped into the entry when a petite, blond Tasmanian devil in a ruffled yellow dress and white tights galloped toward them, shoeless.
“Aunt Kelsey!” Fee skidded before colliding with Kelsey’s legs, hugging them until her little face turned crimson. Then she turned her wide eyes up at Trip. “Hi!”