Harlequin Heartwarming August 2019 Box Set by Amy Vastine

Author:Amy Vastine
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

THREE DAYS LATER, Dan parked his truck in the driveway and climbed out. He was on car pool duty for school. He’d dropped Ben and Wesley off early so they could meet Ella to help her with her science project. Now he had seven hours to avoid the empty rental apartment and his feelings.

He’d returned from the hospital Sunday afternoon. Got Ben settled in with a movie, then walked out to the apartment. He’d already known Brooke wouldn’t be there. The apartment looked colder and emptier without her. Like he felt.

But that would ease. Broken hearts repaired themselves. Healed with time. He’d recovered after Valerie left. He just needed time.

He stuffed his keys in his pocket and glanced at the front porch. A woman waited, leaning against the railing. But she wasn’t the dark-haired one who had stolen his heart. She wasn’t the one he wanted.

He walked up the steps and paused at the top. “Valerie.”

She was alone this time. The dimmer switch pressed on her smile. No food or presents waited near her feet.

“You were right.” She tucked her hair behind her ear, her fingers trembling. “I did return for the money.”

Dan frowned. “Is this supposed to help?”

“I returned for the money.” Valerie twisted her hands together. “And then I met Ben. Then I started to like Ben.”

Dan nodded and smiled. “He’s easy to like.”

“It’s more than that.” Valerie tapped her chest, above her heart. “There’s a spot only for him in here. Can you believe that?”

He would’ve said no. But he had a spot in his heart for Ben. And now one for Brooke, too. How could he love two people so much? How could he not? “What now?”

“I need to figure out my life.” Valerie waved her hands in the air. “I’ve never been good at adulting.”

“You could stay in the city,” Dan suggested. “Be close to Ben.” And people who would help her learn to be an adult.

“I’ve never been good at staying.” Valerie pointed at her heeled boots. “My feet are too restless.”

“But you’ll come back to visit?” Dan joined her, leaning on the railing, and crossed one ankle over the other. “Ben will want to see you on US soil.”

“Ben and I can have fun wherever we are.” Something tender shifted through her smile and into her voice. “Even if it’s at my mother’s house.”

“Or maybe Disneyland,” Dan offered. “Although there’s a list of people who plan to join you.”

“I could organize that group. That’s my specialty.” Valerie laughed, then sobered. “You know it was never about you, don’t you?”

Dan tipped his head and eyed her. This wasn’t about Ben or traveling. This was about the past. This was that conversation they’d never had. Maybe it was all for the better. He wouldn’t have listened. She wouldn’t have explained. Maybe it was all about becoming an adult.

“I was never meant to be a mom,” Valerie continued. “The more I pretended the more bitter I became. I resented you.”

Dan understood. He could’ve said the feeling had been mutual.

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