The Good Neighbor by Judith Hudson

Author:Judith Hudson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fortune Bay, secret babies, reunited families, estranged fathers, small town romance, small town romance series, romance after 30, single parents
Publisher: Tall Trees Books
Published: 2016-11-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

Sean trudged through the wet grass of Frankie’s front yard to the trees that shielded the cabin. She was so sweet, so eager and so available. He knew she wanted him to kiss her and he ached to do just that. Hell, truth was, he couldn’t trust himself to spend one more night under her roof and stay out of her bed. And of course he couldn’t do that, couldn’t come on to her now. Not when she was so vulnerable and still obviously in pain. He’d be sure to do something clumsy and hurt her even more.

The cabin was cold as a meat locker when he let himself in. He started a fire to take off the chill, then stood by the window watching her lights burn through the trees, warm and inviting.

It would be better for him to sleep at home from now on. That didn’t mean they couldn’t have dinner together though. He loved to cook for her. She ate with such gusto. He hated to see women pick at their food.

She was changing, softening, and maybe when she was feeling better they could move their relationship to the next level.

But her injuries weren’t the only thing holding him back. In all conscience, he had to tell her about his search for his daughter and let Frankie make up her own mind about whether she wanted to be with him or not. He had no idea how she would react to that landmine. He had never told a girlfriend about Amber before.

And it was not just the fact that he had a daughter, but the shameful way the situation had been dealt with at the time. Frankie hadn’t asked to be embroiled in his drama and she had a right to know everything before they got too close. He had to make her see he wasn’t that boy anymore. That he could be trusted with her heart.

He undressed and climbed into his cold bed. Tomorrow he’d come home after work, get changed and light a fire before he went to Frankie’s for dinner. He’d just keep a bit of distance for a while until she was back on her feet. Then he’d tell her everything.

* * *

Amber sat on her bed staring at the door. Her stomach growled, but still she sat. What was better? She couldn’t decide: go out and start dinner, or just stay where she was.

Grandpa had always been a mean drunk, but since last month when Grandma died, he’d gotten worse. Way worse. Mad all the time. Drinking more than ever.

She never knew what she’d get in trouble for next.

She stared at the door. Hot tears burned her eyes. Mom dying last year was bad enough, but now Grandma was gone, too.

If Mom was still alive, Amber would have gone to live with her in Seattle. Sure, they hadn’t lived together for years, but they had talked on the phone every few weeks and she’d promised when Amber turned sixteen in December, she could come and live with her in Seattle.

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