“I know what he meant.”
Maggie leaned forward. A mottled flush climbed her neck. “Brad, Becky... I know this must come as a surprise. It caught me by surprise too. Josh and I have been the best of friends for so long. He’s always been there for me—you all have.”
“What would Ethan think?” Dad asked Josh. “She’s your sister-in-law.”
“Shewasmy sister-in-law.”
“That’s right, because your brother’sdeadnow.”
“Bradley!”
“And somehow, when he asked you to take care of Maggie, I don’t think this is what he had in mind.”
Maggie’s gaze flew to Josh.
Because yes, when Ethan had enlisted he had made that request. “He asked all of us to look out for her. And we have. We would’ve done that even if he hadn’t asked.”
Maggie took his mom’s hand, her eyes shining with tears. “You guys have been the best. I couldn’t have gotten through these past five years without you. Withoutallof you. You’re my family. I never expected my feelings for Josh to shift... but somehow that’s exactly what happened.” She squeezed Mom’s hand. “I will always love Ethan. He was my high school sweetheart, my husband, the father of my child. But it’s been five years and I’m... I’m lonely. It’s time for me to move on. And I know that must be so hard for you.”
“That’s not the problem, Maggie.” Josh pinned his dad with an unswerving look. “The problem is that I’m not good enough to step into Ethan’s shoes.”
“Josh!” Mom said. “That’s not true.”
“Maybe not for you, Mom.”
“Oh, honey!”
Dad returned his glare.
His silence was crushing. Maybe Josh had thrown that out there hoping for a denial. Apparently he wasn’t getting one. He had to get out of here. He didn’t even want to breathe the same air as his dad. Not for another second. “I should go.”
Dad leaned forward. “You just had to drop this on us the second we got home? Days before the fifth anniversary of your brother’s death?”
Josh’s chair gave a loud squawk as he bolted to his feet. “That’s my cue.”
Mom popped to her feet. “Oh, Josh, stay, and let’s talk this out. Don’t leave like this. We just need some time to get used to the idea. This is a shock. We never—”
“I think we all need time to cool down, Mom.” He worked hard to level his voice. “I’m sorry to have ruined your homecoming party. We didn’t want it to happen like this, but—” His gaze flicked to Maggie.
She swiped her cheek as she stood. “I’ll explain later after I walk you out.”
Josh beat a hasty path to the door. He needed air. He needed space to breathe. He needed to feel like he was good enough in his father’s eyes.
But it didn’t appear that would ever happen.
***
Maggie didn’t catch up with Josh until she reached the stoop. She closed the door behind her. When he turned to face her, she threw her arms around him and pulled him close. He stood stiff and unresponsive. His muscles were taut, his body was overly warm, and he was shaking.
The scene had been awful on multiple levels. But worst of all was the hurtful blow his dad delivered with his silence. Why hadn’t Brad refuted the statement? She tightened her arms around Josh, wanting to shield him from his father’s response—or lack thereof. But it was too late. All she could do now was offer comfort.
Finally Josh’s arms came around her. He set his cheek against hers. His breaths were slowing. “I’m sorry to leave you with them like this. I’ll go back inside if you want me to.”
He was thinking ofher. She stroked his back in long, gentle sweeps. “No. I’ll be fine. Josh, I wish you could just step inside my mind andknow how much I respect and adore you. You’re the best man I know. You’re kind and selfless and sweet and strong and funny.” She drew back so she could look him in the eyes. The defeat on his face started a dull ache in the center of her chest. “Your parents love you. You must know that.”
“Of course they do.”
Her husband might have been the golden child—the siblings had often joked about it—but Josh was the unsung hero. He had been by her side every time she needed him. He picked her up when she was a puddle on the kitchen floor. He held her as she wept. Walked the floor with a colicky Zoey when Maggie was exhausted. He was always just a phone call away.
