“You’re right to go,” Mallory said once he’d finished. “What can I do to help? I have some vacation time left if you want me to come with you.”
And there was the question he’d been dreading. How could he explain to her that he didn’t want her help? She’d been there for him while he dealt with his mom’s fall and resulting surgery. He hadn’t even told her about the nursing home, yet.
“There’s not really anything you can do. If Lily’s going through something, I really need to handle it myself. But I didn’t even tell you the update on my mom. There’s also that. Everything is just a lot right now.”
“What’s going on with your mom?” Mallory immediately snapped to attention.
“She’s not coming right home, but I’ve been working with Robbie to get her house ready for when she does,” he explained after finishing a bite of his food. “They’re putting her in a glorified nursing home. She’s not doing well enough to go home so she needs a rehab facility until she’s ready.”
Mallory stood and began cleaning up. She hadn’t uttered a word since hearing his mother wasn’t coming home. He’d been around her long enough to figure out that the news about his mom stressed her out. She kept fiddling with her hair like she did every time something was on her mind.
“Do you think she’ll be there long,” she finally asked once everything was cleaned up.
She cared about his mom as if she was her own family. The realization made his chest ache. There she was ready to drop everything to be there for them, and he couldn’t be bothered to keep her updated. It was no wonder his marriage hadn’t worked out and even less surprising that he hadn’t had a serious relationship since the failed marriage.
“I hope not. The doctor keeps insisting it will only be until she’s ready to be home by herself, but I have no idea,” Chris answered.
“How long will you be away? Will you be back before they move her?”
He wasn’t sure. He’d be gone as long as he needed to be. After speaking to the powers that be at work, he’d been cleared to take all the time he needed. As long as he kept them updated, there was no rush for him to return.
“A few days,” was his answer.
His answers were vague. A quick glance at Mallory told him she wasn’t interested in a guessing game. It didn’t make sense that he was struggling with including her in his life as a father, but old habits were hard to break. He stretched his neck from side to side in an effort to relieve some tension.
“I’m not trying to be vague,” he explained. “To be honest, I’m having a hard time having this conversation, but I’m really not sure how long I’ll be gone. I’m not even sure what’s going on with her or if I can fix it.”
For what felt like the millionth time, his heart sank at the thought of not being able to help his daughter. Whatever it was, he had to find a way to fix it, even if he landed back in family court with a custody battle. The warm touch of Mallory's hands on his shoulders snapped him out of his dark thoughts. Leaning into her gentle touch, he forced himself to relax. He hadn’t taken a moment to breathe since receiving that phone call.
“I know you’re having a hard time. I didn’t mean to sound like I was grilling you. If you’re going to be gone while your mom gets moved, I can be there to help get her settled in. That’s why I was asking.”
Slowly, he turned to face her. Even after getting to know her, she always managed to surprise him. It was rare to find someone who was genuinely kind, and yet there she was giving him ashoulder massage and focusing in on ways to help. Even years in an abusive relationship hadn’t tarnished her kind heart. All things considered, finding out his daughter was in trouble and knowing it was his fault for being so far away really put things into perspective.
“You don’t have to go out of your way. They plan to move her within the next few days, so Robbie should still be here. But thanks for thinking of her.”
She pinned him with a look. “Is this you telling me to stay away from your mom? Because if it isn’t, give me the details so I can be there.”
A rumble of laughter escaped him. That was not the response he had been expecting. It would appear that finally standing up for herself to her brother was only the beginning. The fire he always knew was smoldering within her was finally beginning to burn. She wouldn’t be anyone’s doormat.
He stood from his chair and turned to face her, looking down to meet her fierce gaze. “My mom loves you. I wouldn’t tell you to stay away from her.”
“Good,” she breathed.
“Good.” He watched her mouth, waiting for what she’d say next.
One corner of her mouth turned up as she continued to stare back at him. Her gaze bounced from his mouth to his eyes, and he adjusted himself as his cock hardened and strained against his zipper. With things being so up in the air he needed to keep his distance. It was the right thing to do.
He gripped the back of her neck and held her in place as his mouth found hers. Using his thumb, he tugged her mouth open enough for his tongue to meet hers as he lost himself in the kiss. He should keep his distance.
“I leave in the morning. Stay the night,” he requested before diving back in to devour her mouth.
She sank into him, her body soft and warm against his taught muscles. As much as he knew he should stay away until he knew where life would take him, he needed her. She wrapped her arms around him, and this time it was her mouth seeking his. He placed his hands on her face and held her tenderly as he answered her kiss.
Every time they’d been together had been a desperate rush to get their hands on each other. Once things had started, neither of them could slow down. They were like fire and gasoline. This time, Chris needed more. He traced the outline of her face before gliding his hand down her neck and to her shoulder, pausing to breathe her in.
“Will you stay?” he asked again. If the answer was no, he’d allow her to walk away.
“Okay.” Her answer was so soft he nearly missed it.
