“I’m worried about your family. Your sister…”
Tommy sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Between what I have been able to give them and what my parents have saved, they are able to get the medication she needs for a week at a time, but at some point, it will run out. We have some time to determine just what to do about that.”
“I was happy to meet them last week.”
“And they loved you,” he said, smiling at the memory. It had been amazing just how well Minnie had fit in with his family. He had been uncertain about bringing her to their Wednesday dinner, but his mother had insisted, of course. She had only been displeased that they had wedded in secret, without the rest of them present.
Perhaps one day he would rectify that. If there were a someday for them, not just a today.
One thing at a time.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Minnie was quiet as they sat across from one another that evening, each trying to get down the soup she had attempted earlier that day.
Her cooking lessons with Mrs. O’Connor had been progressing, although she had started from nothing, so she still had a fair way to go. Tommy had been encouraging, but Minnie knew he was only trying to make her feel better.
“I’m sorry,” she said, placing down her spoon as she stared morosely at the watery mess before her.
“It’s good,” Tommy lied, trying to hide the expression on his face.
“Tommy,” she said, lifting a brow as she looked at him incredulously.
“Well, this one is edible,” he amended. “Perhaps a bit too much salt.”
She smirked at that before her countenance shifted slightly. This afternoon had been a rude awakening. She had known for quite some time that Tommy’s life had obviously changed as a resultof his efforts to save her.
But now, knowing firsthand that Tommy was risking his own family with his actions, even more guilt crept over her.
Tommy had not only given up his chance at love with another for her, but he was putting his own life at risk. He could be hurt because of her family’s troubles, her father’s actions. His family’s safety could also be at stake.
“Tommy, we need to talk,” she said, folding her hands in her lap.
“That’s never a good way to start a conversation with a lady,” he said, sitting back in his chair, the nearly inedible soup forgotten.
Minnie forced herself to sit stoically, not to allow her own emotion to cloud rational thought.
“This has gone too far,” she said, shaking her head as she clenched her jaw. “I’ve ruined your life.”
“Minnie—” he began, but she held up a hand.
“Let me finish, please,” she said, although not unkindly, and he nodded, waiting.
She took a deep breath.
“My father made terrible decisions, and I appreciate all you’ve done for me. But now everything that means anything to you is at risk. Your career, which you’ve spent years working on. Football, which is your passion. Your family, whom you love more than anything. And for what?”
He waited, likely ensuring she was done, before he spoke.
“For you, Minnie.”
He couldn’t mean that. Not truly. They had barely known one another when he had sacrificed the life he knew.
“But—”
“Don’t say you don’t deserve it. Because you do. I knew what I was getting into. What kind of man Blackwood was. And I did it anyway. It’s worth it. Every risk, every second of it.”
His words caused warmth to bloom in her heart, but how could he truly mean that?
