“Why did you leave, Josh?” Steve questioned his son.
“It’s all my fault.”
“What is, son?” Steve put Josh down on the ground and knelt beside him.
“Louie, that’s my fault. He was just following me and he got hurt. Then you won’t like Miss Holly because of me.” The boy sniffed.
“Josh, nothing is your fault.” Steve wrapped his arms around Josh, holding him tight. He then released the boy and put a hand on each of the boy’s small shoulders. “Did you listen to Miss Holly and I talking?”
“Yes, I know I’m not supposed to. But I heard you arguing.”
“I’m sorry you heard all that.”
“But, Dad, why won’t you like Miss Holly? I like her. She’s not going to leave us, are you Miss Holly?”
The boy’s bright blue eyes looked up at her. No, she couldn’t ever imagine leaving them. He had her heart hopelessly wrapped around his finger.
She knew the answer Steve wanted her to give. That she was leaving as soon as her job was over and Doc Benson came back. But she couldn’t say the words. She shot a pleading look at Steve and hoped he’d forgive her because she was going to tell the truth. Tell what was in her heart.
“No, I don’t believe I could leave you, Josh. When we couldn’t find you? I felt like my heart was breaking. I could barely breathe. I couldn’t imagine my life without you… or without your father.”
There. She’d said it. Out loud.
She just hoped that was good enough for Steve. That he’d realize just how much she cared, not only about him, but for Josh. Cared with her whole heart. She wasn’t going to let herself get scared away again.
“Josh, I tried to hide away from people for a long time. It’s complicated, but I was hurt and it was easier to just not get close to people, to care about them. But, you know? You came bursting into my life, and I’m really glad. I care about both you and your father. And Louie, of course.”
“I know you do. I could tell. I’m old enough to figure that out.” Josh puffed up his chest and stood tall. “See, Dad. Now you tell her you can like her. Please, Dad. Please.” The boy turned those bright blue eyes on his father. Ha, see if he did a better job resisting Josh than she had.
Steve was quiet for a moment. She was sure he was going to turn to her with those brittle brown eyes filled with anger. She hadn’t followed his wishes, the ones where he wanted her out of their lives to protect his son.
He looked at her then, for a long, long moment, searching her face. She could almost see the thoughts, doubts, hopes and questions whirling around his mind.
Josh moved over to her and took her hand, turning back to look at his father.
Steve slowly stood up, raked his hands through his hair, and gave a big sigh. He slowly shook his head back and forth. Then he grinned that slow, sexy smile of his. Her heart swelled and filled with hope. Maybe it wasn’t too late.
Then a serious look swept over his face. “I might have been a bit hasty in not accepting your apology. Oh, heck. I was a fool. Last night must have been such a nightmare for you. I should have been more understanding of how scared you were. You’ve probably already figured out that I’m not too good with relationships.” He stood up and slowly crossed the distance between them and took her hand.
“Well, if Miss Holly is willing to like me, I think I’d be willing to like her right back.”
Her heart began to sing. Steve looked at her, his eyes questioning her.
“I’m willing to like you.” She looked up at him and felt a smile sweep across her face, then an outright grin.
“Good. It’s settled.” He leaned down and brushed a light kiss on her lips. A kiss filled with hope for the future.
“Yuck, Dad. You don’t have to kiss her, do you?”
“I’m afraid I do, son.”
With that he pulled her into a hug and brushed one more quick kiss across her lips. Josh danced back and forth beside them. “Okay, that’s enough, already. Let’s go back and see Louie. I can’t wait to tell him the news.”