The Exquisite Series: Books 1-3 by Ella Frank

Author:Ella Frank [Frank, Ella]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ella Frank
Published: 2014-12-29T05:00:00+00:00

***

Josh stood at the bottom of the staircase just outside of the kitchen as the back door slapped shut. He had come downstairs around ten minutes ago and had heard two voices. He had turned to make his way toward them when he had heard Shelly crying.

Holy shit, Josh thought as he ran a hand through his hair. How on earth does a daughter comprehend what Shelly’s mother just told her?

Mutley, of course, took that moment to bark. Josh looked down at his dog and shook his head. “Thanks buddy,” he muttered as he walked forward.

He came through the kitchen door to see Shelly facing him with tears on her cheeks and a lopsided smile on her face. She stared down at the dog sitting by his side.

“Did he just out you?” she asked him, gesturing to Mutley with her chin.

Josh gave a half smile as he walked toward her. “Pretty much.” He stopped in front of her, reaching up to trace her wet cheek with his index finger. “You okay?”

He watched as she shook her head, and then she leaned her face into his palm. He cupped the cool cheek nuzzling his hand while her wet blue eyes looked up at him with tears shimmering, threatening to spill over.

“Not really. How much did you hear?”

Josh grimaced, and then whispered, “Enough. I’m really sorry, Shelly.”

He watched her shrug.

“Not much I can do about it, right? It’s her choice.”

Josh dropped his hand, stroking it down her arm, and entwined their fingers together, squeezing gently.

“Yes, it’s her choice, but it couldn’t have been easy hearing all of that. Does it make you feel any different toward your father?”

Josh watched her take a deep breath. She looked at their fingers, and then back up to him.

“I’m not sure. I wish I could ask him what happened, you know? Why did he stop loving her? What changed for him?”

She paused, and Josh took a step closer, so she had to stand up straight. He reached up with his free hand, cupping her chin. Tipping up her face to his, he leaned in and gently kissed her lips.

“Maybe he wouldn’t have an answer for you, but you won’t know unless you ask. Then, maybe you can start to forgive him.”

She shook her head and asked softly, “How would I even begin to ask that? I’m so disappointed and sad right now.”

Josh sighed, dropping the hand at her chin to grip her other fingers as well.

“Disappointed in whom? Your mother?”

“Both of them! I’m angry and disappointed in both of them!” she fumed as Josh held her hands. “How dare they do that to a child. I never knew any of that. I never knew this was a cozy understanding they shared while I was working with the women he was having his freedom with,” she told Josh angrily. “Sure, Ma got to stay at home and avoid those awkward moments. I had to work with these women. I still cannot forgive him for that.”

Josh tugged her to him and wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

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