Annika pulled back to look at her mother. “You did what?”
“I told them they should be ashamed to say such things. My daughter should not be ashamed of something she has no control over. They always were gossips, those two. Kaki and I have decided they are no longer welcome in our homes.”
“Mom!” Annika was shocked that her mild-mannered mother had been so forceful.
“Don’t be so shocked. I might be quiet, but no one messes with my children.”
The tears were coming down for real now, and Annika could not stop them.
Her mother held her close. “You have cried so much this year,beta. Get it all out.”
As if permission from her mother had been all that she needed, Annika collapsed into her mother’s arms. The scent of cinnamon and cloves enveloped her, and she found herself getting comfort from where she’d always gotten her comfort. Her mother held her close and whispered soothing motherly things as Annika sobbed out every last tear she had for the baby she’d lost and the man she loved.
ITWASN’TUNTILshe pulled into the parking lot that Annika realized which meeting her father was attending. Or running, rather. She had the windows down, the fresh scents of spring tickling her nose. It was past 7:00 p.m., but the spring sun was just starting to set.Thank you, daylight saving time.She pulled out her laptop to tweak next week’s lesson plan.
Voices carried to her on a warm breeze, and she looked up to search for her father. That was when she saw him.
Daniel.
Walking out of the community center in a fitted black T-shirt and jeans. She told herself she didn’t care, but her heart thumped in her chest, ready to betray her in a second. He continued talking to the man beside him. Her father. Her heart raced faster. What was happening here?
She froze, her gaze fixed on him. They were deep in conversation. Clearly Daniel had attended the meeting. Was this his first? How long had he been attending? So many questions she wanted answered. She was out of the car before she knew it.
Daniel turned his attention toward the parking lot and stopped walking. She knew he’d seen her. He was as frozen as she was. She couldn’t move. She wanted to talk to him. No. She wanted to throw her arms around him and feel his arms around her, and hear him say—what? That he loved her? She already knew that.Or did she?He was clearly getting help to deal with his loss, but he hadn’t contacted her. Maybe she was too much of a reminder. Or maybe she was wrong and he didn’t love her the way she thought he did.
Her father seemed to have noticed that Daniel was no longer beside him, so he turned. Daniel nodded to him, then the two men shook hands, and her father walked toward her.
Her heart dropped into her stomach as she watched Daniel standing there, not approaching. He hadn’t moved from his spot, his gaze still as intent on her as ever. As soon as her father was in the car and had shut the door, she got in as well, her eyes never leaving Daniel’s. Once in, she quickly started the engine and pulled out of the spot. She couldn’t just watch him not come to her. And she couldn’t bring herself to go to him. Not if he didn’t want her.
Her father chattered on about this thing and that, his voice becoming background noise. She pulled into their driveway with no idea how she had gotten there.
“He’s in your group?” It was almost an accusation.
“You know I can’t answer that, Annika.”
“Yeah, okay. Fine.” She needed answers. Damn her father’s integrity. She glanced at her father. “How is he? I saw you talking to him, so you can at least tell me how he is.”
“He’s fine.” He turned to face her, making eye contact. “Better.”
“So, he’s—he’s moving on, then.” Without her. Her heart sank. “That’s great. I’m happy for him.” She truly was, but she had thought... It didn’t matter what she had thought. Maybe she had thought he would come back for her when he was in a better place. But those were her hopes. He had promised no such thing.
“Oh, I don’t know about moving on, but he’s better because he’s getting help.” Her father’s smile said everything that he could not. His face held all the answers Annika was looking for.
Annika’s apprehension vanished as she smiled and hugged her father. “Thanks.”
They got out of the car and went into the house together. Annika felt lighter than she had in weeks. Daniel was getting help. And from her own father, of all places. Good for him. She put her hand on her heart and let happiness flood her. Good for him.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
DANIEL
DANIELSTOOD,FROZENto the spot, as Annika jumped out of the car. For a moment he thought she was going to approach him, and he had willed her to come to him, since his own feet seemed to be glued to the spot. But she did not, though her gaze never wavered. He hadn’t contacted her to tell her he was getting help. He hadn’t known what to say—and the truth was, after the way he’d left her when she had needed him, he didn’t think he had a right to talk to her, anyway.
What would he possibly say to her?Sorry I broke up with you? It was the biggest mistake of my life? I want you back? I will always love you?
Absolutely not. Especially not today. Today, she was hurting.
So he had remained frozen to his spot until she’d driven away.
