Summer in Paradise Valley: A brand new heart-warming, uplifting romance (Escapist Romantic Reads) by Angela Britnell

Author:Angela Britnell [Britnell, Angela]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Choc Lit Contemporary Romance: A Joffe Books Company
Published: 2023-08-21T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

‘So when were you goin’ to tell me you’d lost my son?’ Deke’s harsh tone of voice and his glare made Lyndsey cringe. She watched the last vestige of color drain from her sister’s face. Theo was home safe now, but that didn’t seem to take the edge off Deke’s anger. ‘I shouldn’t have to hear it from a concerned employee at the British Airways counter at the Nashville airport.’

‘We thought—’

‘No, you didn’t fuckin’ think, that’s the problem!’ he yelled. ‘I suppose you were too busy fussing over Nora to care what happened to Theo.’

‘That’s grossly unfair.’ Lyndsey couldn’t sit there in silence another minute. ‘How dare you talk to Becca that way? She’s been trying her absolute hardest while you’ve been away. You knew Theo was terribly unhappy when you left. Did you think a fairy godmother would wave a magic wand over him while you were gone?’

‘No, but—’

‘But nothing,’ she snapped.

‘Becca, I’m sorry.’ Deke slumped, clutching his head in his hands. When he straightened up, his gaunt features were etched with pain. ‘I didn’t mean those things I said. I know I’m a crappy father and a crappy husband. This is all my fault.’

‘No, it’s not,’ Becca said firmly. ‘We’re both to blame. I’m sorry, too. More than I can say.’

‘Things are gonna be different when I’m back home again. That’s a promise.’

‘You know I’m counting the days,’ she whispered. ‘I miss you so much.’

‘I miss you too, sweetheart.’ Deke sighed. ‘I saw your message, and haven’t been able to get it out of my head all day. I’d love to clear it up now, but I reckon it’ll be best if I talk to Theo face to face about his mother when I get back.’

‘You’re probably right.’

‘But maybe tomorrow y’all can give me a tour of our smartened-up house?’ The ghost of a smile lifted some of the tension from his drawn features. ‘Is that really our kitchen in the background behind you? I promise I’ll try my darnedest to mend my ways and not be such a slob.’

‘You and me both!’ Becca laughed.

Lyndsey sensed they’d be better off without her there. ‘I’ll leave you two to talk. Griff’s in the kitchen with Theo. I’ll join them and listen for Nora, in case she wakes up.’

A couple of hours ago they’d been on the verge of reporting Theo missing to the police when Becca received a phone call from the airport. Her creative nephew had attempted to buy a ticket to London because he knew Deke’s band would be performing there soon, but his naiveté let him down. The two hundred dollars he’d saved up didn’t come close to covering the cost, and the airline would never have sold one to a boy his age anyway, even with the passport he’d stolen from his father’s office safe. Griff drove Becca to the airport to collect Theo while Lyndsey took care of Nora. She’d immediately popped the little girl in the stroller and walked around to let all of the neighbors know that Theo was safe.

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