“Thank you. I’m sorry to be so upset.”
“Don’t be,” Jax told her. “You had expectations and made plans based on Harris proposing. The man bought you a diamond ring—of course you believed him.”
“I wanted us to be together always. I wanted to be a stepmom and have kids of my own. I thought that was going to happen.”
“I know.”
“Now I have nothing. For the rest of my life I have to explain how I got played by the man who was supposed to love me forever.”
Jax held her close and silently screamed at her ex. This was the fallout she’d warned him about.
Shawna continued to cry. “How am I ever going to trust anyone again?”
“The next guy isn’t going to be like Harris. He’s going to be a good, sweet man who thinks you’re his princess.”
Shawna raised her head. “What if you’re wrong? What if I brought this on myself?”
“You didn’t. You’re the injured party in this. Believe me, you’re not to blame.”
“I want to believe you.”
“Then do. I’m older and wiser. You didn’t do anything wrong. I know it’s hard to think about your future right now when everything hurts and you’re feeling so betrayed but I hope that over time you’ll come to see that you’re not at fault. Try to give yourself grace. And while you’re at it, maybe give the next guy a little grace, too.”
“There’s no next guy. I couldn’t take the chance. This hurts too much.”
“This probably isn’t the day to make any life-altering decisions. Are you going to drive up to Los Lobos and stay with your folks for a few days?”
Shawna sniffed. “I wasn’t going to.”
“Maybe you should. This would be a good time to get spoiled by them.”
“I don’t know. Mom asked me to come. I thought I had to stay here and be brave on my own.”
“You’re being plenty brave. Go where you’re loved, sweetie. Go where you’ll feel safe. You’ve got the summer off. Take advantage of that.”
“Thank you.” Shawna tried to smile. “Maybe I will go. I have a few things I need to do here, but in a couple of days I could be done and head north.” She wiped her face. “Thank you. You’ve been very kind. Even from the beginning. My mom was worried about me getting along with—” she made air quotes “—‘the first wife,’ but you made it easy. You’re really great, Jax.”
“Thank you.”
She thought about mentioning that Gentry and Xander would miss her, but told herself not to go there. She didn’t want to cause Shawna more pain. And speaking of her children, she had to find out if they knew what had happened.
They stood and walked toward the parking lot.
“You going to call your mom?” she asked.
“As soon as I get home. You’re right. I’ll feel better with my folks.” She flung herself at Jax. “Thank you for everything.”
“Of course.”
Shawna got in her car and drove away. Jax got into her SUV and closed her eyes. That poor woman. At least now she could start healing and get on with her life.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Jax sat in the pier parking lot for another couple of minutes, then pulled out her phone and called Harris.
“Hey,” he said when he picked up. “Everything okay with the kids?”
Because she never called, she thought. They almost always communicated via text.
