A deep intake of breath grabbed my attention and my head snapped over to look at Bronson. So much was going on in my mind but I could tell it was his as well. We’d been having so much fun, I didn’t think any of us paid attention to where we were at but had made it around the bend in the lake.
There we sat smack dab in front of his childhood home, the one he had never stepped in since leaving for the military. Along with that, my daughter shouted out my feelings as if she had a Bullhorn to her mouth and wanted the whole world to hear.
But the one person whohadheard was the only one that mattered.
Bronson kept his gaze on mine. Turmoil, regret, and sadness swirled in their depths.
I shared so much with my daughter about my time growing up, but when Bronson came back into my life, I never told her he was the best friend that I missed so much; she had no clue that blurting out what she had would affect both Bronson and me. I may have said at Capri’s he was my best friend, but I didn’t think she had put two and two together.
He looked over at Stormi. “Your mom was and is my best friend. I shouldn’t have ever left her and I hope she will forgive me.”
Not having taken my eyes off him, when he looked back up, I nodded. “I forgive you,” I whispered.
He let out a sigh, but tension still lined his face.
“That’s awesome. You can be my best friend too,” Stormi announced. “After mommy, though. She is always my best friend first.”
My heart fluttered with pure happiness at how damn sweet my daughter was. She was on a roll though and wasn’t done.
“Now can we go to your house?” she asked Bronson. “I’m sorry about your daddy.” She reached out and took his hand. “But we are your best friends now so we will be with you and you can go home.”
Tears slipped down my cheek as she made her speech. Stormi had so much to give and she was giving it to him.
And he was receiving it loud and clear.
Carefully, so as not to tip the boat, he pulled Stormi into his lap. “You know what, sweet girl, I think you’re right. With your mom and you by my side, I think I can do anything.”
Emotion clogged his throat and a single tear of his own slid down his handsome face. “You two are the best things in my life. Let’s go see my house.”
Staring at him, my eyes widened. I couldn’t believe after all this time he was going back. My girl certainly had a way with people and it looked like she was helping move mountains.
“She was right. We’ll be right there with you.”
A small heartfelt smile lifted his mouth.
“No matter what happens, I’m never leaving you two. I—”
I cut him off, shaking my head wildly. “Don’t make promises you can’t—”
And then he cut me off right back.
“Icankeep it and Iwill. I promise you and Stormi I will always be here for you.” He hugged Stormi close and she snuggled in. If it was me, I’d have done the same thing and how I wished I was in his arms right then, but if I tried we would definitely find ourselves overboard.
“Let’s go check out my house.”
“Yeah, let's do that,” I replied.
More tears slipped freely down my cheeks.
I couldn’t believe this was happening.
It felt like some of my dreams were coming true.
Chapter Eighteen
BRONSON
What was I walking into?
