“I don’t have your number.”
He paused with the door half open but didn’t turn around. “My number hasn’t changed.”
“Then I guess that means you were ignoring my calls or too busy to answer all those times I tried to reach you after you dropped off the face of the earth,” she said sarcastically.
Hunter slowly rotated to face her. “Believe me, it’s not because I wanted to,” he said, pain lacing his words. “I’ll see you later.” He walked out and closed the door softly behind him.
Michaela dropped back down in the chair. Angry tears burned her eyes. She tapped the envelope lightly against her forehead, then slid her finger beneath the flap to open it. Changing her mind, she tossed it on the coffee table and rubbed her hands up and down her thighs. “Don’t be a wimp. Just open it,” she muttered. But she couldn’t. Hopping up, she went back to her painting.Believe me, it’s not because I wanted to.His words played over in her mind. What did that even mean?Why did you have to come back?
* * *
Hunter parked in his parents’ driveway and sat there for a few minutes to get his bearings. The impact of being in close confines with Michaela and feeling her anguish had broken his heart all over again. He’d asked himself over the past two days whether he would have done something differently if given the chance again, but knew he’d make the same choice because he loved her. He hoped one day she could understand and forgive him. Scanning the large structure in front of him, he tried to prepare himself for another emotional confrontation. If he’d had any sense, Hunter would’ve postpone the visit for another time, but in twenty-four hours, he’d be on a plane back to California.
He drew in a fortifying breath, got out and went inside, where he found all his siblings sitting around in the living room talking. “Hey.” His brothers nodded. As he knew she would, Ava rushed over to him.
“Where’ve you been? I was worried.” Ava hugged him around his waist and laid her head on his chest.
“It’s before noon, sis.” He kissed the top of her hair.
Her husband, Owen, clapped Hunter on the back and gave him a one-arm hug. “What’s up, man? It’s good to see you.”
“Same here.”
“Now that we’ve gotten all the greetings out of the way, what the hell happened to you?” Dominic asked. “And Cooper, why didn’t you tell us?”
Cooper shot Dominic a glare. “He asked me not to and I don’t tell people’s shit.”
“I’d rather just say it once,” Hunter said.
Maverick, lounging on the end of the sofa, waved a hand. “Then bring Mom and Dad in here, so we can hear it.”
Ava rolled her eyes and ran a comforting hand up and down Hunter’s back.
Hunter knew this would be difficult. Dominic’s scowl hadn’t changed since Hunter walked in the door. Wanting to delay the conversation as long as possible, he asked, “Where are my niece and nephew?” As soon as the words left his mouth, they came barreling around the corner. Hunter hadn’t seen them in over a year and his heart nearly beat out of his chest with love, excitement and fear that they wouldn’t remember him. Little Sully—what the family called Owen, Jr. because he was a replica of his father—had grown from a chubby baby to a little boy, and looked undecided about Hunter.
“Uncle Hunter!” Madison rushed over and wrapped her little arms around his legs.
“Be careful, Maddie,” Ava said.
“It’s okay,” Hunter said. He’d braced himself for the contact. He bent and kissed her cheek. “How’s my favorite girl?” Not trusting himself to pick her up, he sat on a chair and pulled his niece onto his lap. She’d gotten taller and he knew she’d started school.
“I’m good. I missed you. How come you were gone so long?”
“Maybe she’ll be the one to get the information, since we can’t,” Dominic drawled.
Hunter bit back the sharp two-word retort poised on the tip of his tongue. “Maddie, I was sick for a little while, so I couldn’t get on an airplane to visit. But I’m better now, so I’ll be back to visit soon.”
She launched herself against him. “Oh, goodie. You can come to my house tomorrow.”
With her smiling at him so expectantly, he couldn’t say no. “Just for a short time, okay. I have to catch a plane tomorrow.” Apparently pleased, the little girl kicked her legs happily. Little Sully, finally deciding that Hunter was safe to approach, came over and extended his arms. Hunter picked the toddler up and placed him on his other leg.
“Oh, my goodness. You look like such a natural holding them, Hunter.”
He glimpsed over his shoulder to find his mother standing across the room with misty eyes and a trembling hand over her heart. “Hi, Mom.” He usually stood to greet her, but with both children taking over his lap, he thought it safer to stay seated.
“Don’t get up,” she said perceptively. She crossed the room with the elegance and grace of a queen and kissed his cheek. “How are you feeling today?”
“I’m fine. Just getting reacquainted with these two.”
