And if I were her, then I would probably be the last person she wants to see.
She reaches for my hand. “Can I have a moment alone with Connor?”
Something inside of me sinks, it’s near my heart.
Simply responding with a nod, I swallow my pride and fear that she’s pushing me away.
19
BRIELLE
It’s been a few days since I left the hospital. I decided to take Ford up on his offer to stay at his place. With school starting soon, he and Connor can spend time together, not to mention recovery while looking out at Lake Spark seemed idyllic.
For the most part, the pain has worn off. However, the feeling of general mourning and numbness doesn’t fade for a near finish that wasn’t mine. Resting against the lounge chair, I watch Connor and Ford throw a ball around in the swimming pool. I adjust my sunhat and do my best to enjoy the scene. No bikini today, instead one of Ford’s old pairs of shorts and a tank top because it’s easier on my bandages.
“Do you want something from inside?” my son asks me tentatively as he uses his strength to pull himself out of the pool.
“It’s okay. I’m still on the last water you brought me.” I smile weakly.
Ford’s been taking care of me, our son dotes on me, and together they are determined to give me the most relaxing recovery period possible. They are a dream team.
Which is why I can’t figure out why I’m so down. Well, I know why. I just can’t form my thoughts clearly.
Ford walks up the pool steps, and it catches my breath. How could it not? Droplets of water run down his muscles, and when he grabs his towel to dry off, I’m given a complete show. The kind that women pay a lot of money for, and they have when he participated in charity auctions or appeared in some magazine spread. Now he’s mine.
He sits down on the chair next to me. “How’s the patient?”
“Not complaining about the view, that’s for sure.”
A proud smirk forms a line on his mouth. “Happy to oblige, but I haven’t seen you smile much today.”
“Still coming down from the explosion in my life—failing the Bar, appendicitis, and our parents treating us like we’re teenagers again. Ford, if I wasn’t on antibiotics then I would be insisting on a strong cocktail right now,” I inform him.
His eyes lower to my own. “It will be okay. You’ll get back up like you always do.”
I don’t want to be annoyed with Ford, but it’s easy for him to say. He has trophies and millions already. I’m not the type to be jealous, but it’s a lot easier said when you’re in his shoes. I hate that my father’s words seeped into my thoughts and won’t escape; it’s a pesky fly.
“Other than my text check-in with my mom, I haven’t spoken to my dad since. You?”
He thins his lips. “No, haven’t heard from my dad, but that’s not exactly new.”
I look over his shoulder to see that Connor is still busy in the kitchen. “He has no clue we’re not thrilled with his grandparents, right?”
“Nah, remember they’re all good at grandparenting. Connor is only worried about you. He asked me this morning if you really lost your monkey tail, because apparently, the internet is telling him that’s what appendices are.”
I snort a laugh. “Cute.” I hold the back of my sunhat as I feel a breeze. “We will miss being here.”
Ford’s eyes lock on me, and he cocks his head gently to the side. “You know how to solve that.”
I lick my lips, giving myself a moment. “Connor has school, and we agreed he should finish there before he is off to middle school next year.”
“I know, and Hollows is 45 minutes away provided there are no run-ins with foxes, ducks, or lost tourists. Just letting you know that if you want, this is all yours when the time comes.”
I play with the drawstring of the shorts I’m wearing. “I guess I won’t be a lawyer, so my job doesn’t really factor into this anymore.”
Ford reaches out to gently touch my shoulder. “You’ll take the test again in February, it’s not over.”
I go wide-eyed, as if he’s crazy. “Easy for you to say,” I nearly bite it out.
