He stared enviously at his friend bench-pressing two-hundred and forty-five pounds like it weighed only ten. “No. I’m not sure how to approach her after what happened when she was here last week.”
Mark sat up. “What happened last week?”
Hunter had forgotten that he and Mark hadn’t talked outside of business and Hunter had flown home right after the weekend. “Everything finally came to a head and I told her what happened and why I left.”
He used a towel to wipe the sweat from his face. “Now that the cat is out of the bag, care to enlighten me?”
“When we first started dating three years ago, we were talking about her father dying from cancer and how her mother had taken care of him. She said something to the effect that she would’ve paid someone to come in and take of him or send him to a nursing home because of how exhausted her mother had been all the time. That she wouldn’t be able to deal with it.” He did the last set of ten on the leg press. “I just made the decision easier for her.” Hunter didn’t fear many things, but the thought of his wife—the one person he wanted to be able to give him the assurance that he would be okay, even if she didn’t believe the words at first—choosing to throw him away in some nursing home had scared the hell out of him. He knew his family would have come in a heartbeat, but Michaela was the only one he wanted. So he’d done things his way—quietly, quickly and without a lot of fuss.
“She was probably just saying that. I mean, would she have really done it, though? Michaela loved you and I can’t see her just walking away like that.” Mark waved a hand for emphasis.
“You weren’t there for the conversation and maybe not, but I couldn’t take that chance.” Hunter did wonder if he’d done the right thing by showing her the photos or telling her all the details, but he wanted her to understand how difficult it would have been for her. His mind went back to those dark times, and he whispered a prayer of thanks for how far he’d come. He now appreciated the small things like being able to brush his own teeth. The doorbell rang.
“You expecting someone?”
“No,” Hunter said, carefully pushing to his feet. He stood there a couple of seconds to make sure his legs were steady and left to answer the door.Michaela.He snatched it open. “Michaela, hey. What are you doing here?” He glanced down at the purple carryon, then peered around her to see how she’d gotten there.
“Lyft. May I come in?”
“Yeah.” He moved aside for her to enter. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I would’ve picked you up from the airport.”
A corner of Michaela’s mouth kicked up into a smile. “I didn’t decide myself until yesterday.”
He was so stunned, he didn’t know what to say. “Um, how did you get my address?” They had stopped by for a few minutes when she’d come for her conference, but he hadn’t written anything down for her.
“I ran into Cooper and I figured if anyone knew where you were, it would be him. And I was right.”
So much for his brother not telling other people’s shit.
Mark came into the room. “Michaela. It’s been a while. How are you?”
“Hey, Mark. I’m okay.”
“Hunter, I’m going to take off. I’ll see you on Monday.” He bent and kissed Michaela’s cheek. “It’s really good to see you.”
As soon as he closed the door behind him, Michaela said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Hunter eased the luggage from her hand, led her through the foyer to the room he’d set up as a den and gestured her to a seat. “You aren’t interrupting anything. Can I get you something?” For some reason, she seemed nervous and it gave him pause.
She shook her head.
Perched on the edge of the sofa, she wrung her hands together. “I probably should’ve called…I mean, I hope it’s okay, me showing up and…”
He lowered himself next to her and grasped both of her hands. “Michaela, it’s no problem. Did something happen with the hospital board or are you having an issue with the mural?”
“No.” She bowed her head, as if trying to gather her thoughts. After a lengthy minute she said in a barely audible voice, “You were right.”
She lifted her head and misery stared back at him. Hunter’s heart started pounding.
“I finally understand what you meant and I’msosorry, Hunter. I should’ve been there with you and not allowed you to go through all the pain alone. It’s my fault that you believed I wouldn’t be there and I couldn’t have been more selfish.”
“Michaela—”
“No. Let me finish, please. Iwasselfish and talking to my mom made me realize just how wrong I’d been.” Michaela pulled her hands from his and framed his face. I should have loved you better so that you’d know I wouldn’t leave your side for one moment, for any reason. If I had to do it all again, you’d know. Iwouldlove you better.”
Hunter’s emotions surged with such force, he couldn’t control the tears forming in his eyes. “More than anything, I wanted you there, but I was afraid.” He had never admitted his fears out loud, or to anyone. He could always handle whatever life threw his way. Not this time. This time, his man card was about to be torn to shreds.
“Afraid that I’d leave your care to someone else or possibly put you in a nursing home like I had suggested to my mother.” She shook her head. “All this time, I thought you didn’t want me.” Her voice cracked. “That you didn’t love me anymore.”
