“How did you get them to clean their room?” His voice was quiet as if he didn’t want to disturb their hard work.
Or was it an echo of disbelief?
“They get prizes. Winner gets to try my lip gloss and loser gets a penny.”
His mouth dropped open. “That’s it? A penny and lip gloss?”
The incredulous note in his voice seemed to heighten his accent and deepen his voice. A flutter of awareness tingled her spine. She’d always loved his voice. “It was just the right incentive.”
Guy crossed his arms and leaned against the doorjamb while crossing his feet. “It’s amazing how you inspire people to do your bidding.”
An eyebrow raised on its own accord. “Pardon me?”
“I remember how often you convinced me to do something for you.” His gaze met hers and it penetrated her soul. “I would have done anything for you,” he whispered quietly.
What was with the trip down memory lane? She felt her face heat up with anger. Why hadn’t he thought of that before he left her? She glanced away, intent on focusing on the girls and willing the anger to fade away.
But it wouldn’t.
Before her brain could appropriately shut down her words, her mouth opened. “Then why did you leave?” She spoke softly but her words were no less harsh. His departure had crushed her to the bone. Right on the heels of her parents’ death. One loss after the other. Life had been unbearable.
He stared down at his shoes and mumbled under his breath.
Was she supposed to hear that? “I can’t hear you.”
His black eyes alighted on her face and a soft exhale caressed her face. It just made the anger swell higher.
“It needed to be done.”
She crossed her arms wishing she had the ring to turn. It had always helped her think better. “Why? What did I do to make you leave?”
“Oh, Chelle belle, it wasn’t you. It was all me.”
“Done!”
She startled and turned, looking at Bekah’s beaming face. Rachel’s mouth dropped open in shock.
“Good job, Bekah. Let’s go down and take a look at my lip gloss.” She looked at Rachel. “When you’re done, tell your dad and I’ll get that penny for you.”
She passed Guy thankful for the opportunity to escape.
THE ORANGE SCENT OF perfume wafted by as Michelle left the room. The echo of her words reverberated in his skull. What did I do to make you leave?
He’d been fooling himself saying they weren’t in love. That she couldn’t have expected their relationship to last forever. Lies. Guy knew what they had and knew the destruction it would bring the moment he decided to leave.
That was why he had left in the dead of night. He had been too much of a coward to say good-bye. Too cowardly to drop to his knees and beg her for forgiveness. Isn’t that what one should do when they tarnished the one they loved?
Taking her virginity had been a huge mistake. He shouldn’t have done it...not that night...and not in that way. He rubbed his hand down his face as the memory came back full force.
Guy opened the door, surprised to see Michelle on his doorstep. It was after 11pm. He closed the door behind him, praying his mom didn’t wake.
“What’s going on?”
Tears were streaming down her face and her nose looked like Rudolph’s.
“My parents are gone.”
He stared at her, not understanding what she meant. “Where did they go? Are you locked out of your place?”
She shook her head vigorously. “No,” she choked out. “I mean they’re...they’re...they’re dead.”
He stepped back, the door knob digging into his back. “What? How?”
She twirled the ring he had given her around her finger as words tumbled from her lips. “The Kodiak City police came...he said they were dead...I had to go to the hospital...I...Chloe and Jo went with me...but it didn’t matter...they’re gone...and I’m all alone.”
Her hiccupped last few words broke his heart. Guy gathered her into his arms and she snuggled her head underneath his chin. She fit perfectly. But why did it have to be for this reason? Her tears dampen his shirt. Soft noises poured forth from his lips, trying to ease the hurt as his hands ran up and down her back.
She pulled away and looked at him. “Can you come with me to our spot? I don’t want you to get into trouble, but I need you.”
Her hazel eyes swam with tears and he knew he’d follow her. If he got in trouble, so be it. She needed him and that was all that mattered.
“Of course, I’ll come. Let me drive.” He brushed a tear away with his thumb and softly kissed her lips.
Michelle nodded and handed him the keys.
“Papa, I’m done.”
He blinked. Rachel’s voice broke through the past; though, it tugged for him to finish the memory. It vied for his attention as the present beckoned him to rejoin. “Good job, Peanut. Let’s go tell Michelle.”
“Okay. I can put the penny in my piggy bank.”
Kids bounced back so easy after disappointments. There was probably a lesson to be learned in there, but his head hurt too much to decipher it.
As they sat down to eat spaghetti and garlic bread, Guy had to force himself to remain still. The scene was too surreal. Charlene hadn’t experienced family dinners. He’d always wondered what it would have looked like to have a woman with him at the table. His mother didn’t count. However, the dream never featured Michelle cast in the role of wife and mother.
Would this have been his life if he hadn’t left that summer?
Guy gave a mental shake of his head and tuned into the conversation around him. The past had no place right now. Nor the what-ifs.
“Miz Chelle, do you work with, Papa?” Rachel asked around a mouthful of spaghetti. Although she always protested when he made the dish, she was the first one finished.
“Don’t talk with food in your mouth, Rachel.” Guy shook his head.
“No, I
