Austin’s heart twisted. Had he overlooked how badly Dallas had been hurt by Cheyenne’s abandonment? He’d always been such a quiet and thoughtful child, Austin had no idea he was keeping so much emotion bottled up. The recent development with Debbie had made it all come to a head.
Austin was vaguely aware of Savannah entering the room as he sat on the couch and looked Dallas in the eye. “Did you make a picture too? Would you like to give it to Debbie?”
Dallas’s gaze darted toward the garbage can, but his voice was tight—still bordering on angry— when he spoke. “Ms. Jeffries said everyone had to make one.”
Austin walked over to the kitchen trash can, praying he hadn’t dumped something in there unknowingly and ruined Dallas’s picture.
He heaved a sigh of relief when he spotted a picture of Dallas surrounded by a blue picture frame.
Austin picked it up. “You did a great job, bud. Blue happens to be Debbie’s favorite color. I think she’d love to receive such a special gift for Mother’s Day.”
“But she’s not my— mother.” Dallas blinked rapidly to rid his eyes of the tears that flooded them when his voice broke.
Debbie could be their mother if Austin would just stop being so stubborn. He rehearsed his conversation with Scott two days ago. Maybe he had more to offer Debbie than he thought. Something more valuable than her jewelry, expensive cars, and house. Something irreplaceable.
He could offer her not only his love but his childrens’ too.
But would she take him back after he’d been so horrible to her?
Austin sat back down on the couch and pulled both boys into his arms. “Debbie may not be your mom, but she loves you guys like you were her own children.” He squeezed them tight. “I’m the one who screwed things up with Debbie. I never meant for it to hurt you kids.” He looked at Savvy so she would know his apology was meant for her too.
She gave a small smile and blinked back tears of her own.
“I want to fix my mistakes, but I’m not sure Debbie will forgive me.”
“She will,” Savvy said with a smile. “And I have a gift for her too.”
“I hope you’re right, but I’m going to need you all to help me.”
A chorus of “Okay,” filled his ears, and before Austin knew it, he was pulling into Debbie’s wide driveway.
He looked up at her house. Its size still overwhelmed him, but man, he’d missed this place. Especially all of the laughter and fun they’d had inside.
The boys opened their doors, but Austin stopped them. “Wait a minute!”
They both let out a dramatic sigh, but they obeyed.
“Now remember, if Debbie doesn’t want us to stay, we’re going to be respectful and leave. No whining. No throwing a fit. I know she’ll be happy to get your gifts, but I’m not sure she’ll be happy to see me.”
“We know, Dad. You already told us.” Exasperation filled Dallas’s voice.
“Right.” He’d talked during the whole drive, partly to hide his nervousness, and partly to prepare his kids for the disappointment if things went badly. He turned to Savannah. “I meant it when I said you’re going to have to give me and Debbie some uninterrupted time together. That is, if she doesn’t boot me out.”
She put a hand on his arm. “It’ll be okay, Dad. You’ll see.”
The kids slid from the truck eager to see Debbie again, but Austin’s chest tightened as he stared at the file folder on the center console.
Time to swallow my pride.
* * *
When Debbie’s doorbell rang,she got up off the floor and stretched her stiff joints. She’d spent more time on the floor these last two weeks than she had in the last thirty years.
She couldn’t help herself. She wanted to be right there with the girls, experiencing everything with them. They’d already grown and changed so much, and she didn’t want to miss a thing.
After a full week of moping, she’d shaken off the blues the best she could, determined to enjoy the gift that she’d been given. It had been a lot harder to do than she’d expected, but she was trying.
Debbie let the girls trail behind as she headed to the door. Thankfully, they’d adjusted and weren’t as clingy as they used to be.
