“A united front is best, especially now.”
“There’s so much I don’t know.”
She set the broccoli on the counter and looked at him.He shrugged.She saw the worry in the frown lines on his forehead.
“You just have to feel your way,” she said.“At first I didn’t know what to do, either.A lot of the time, I still don’t.I just try and be fair and consistent.I also try not to sweat the small stuff.There are enough big things to worry about.”
“Such as?”
When she least expected it, the pain caught her off guard.He stood there, so tall and handsome.In control.A perfect catch.If only he’d loved her.She shook her head.If she had a dollar for everyif onlyin her life, she’d own the Barrington mansion and he’d be living next door.
“Oh, nothing I can think of offhand.”
Before she could turn away, he reached out his hand and cupped her face.The touch, gentle, concerned, broke through her resolve and her pride.She started to look down, but he moved his index finger along her cheek and jaw until it rested under her chin and she was forced to stare up at him.
“Don’t shut me out,” he said.“What do you worry about?”
If he’d stopped touching her, she might have been able to lie.But he continued to hold her face, occasionally stroking her cheek with his thumb.The warm caress, more comforting than anything else, wore her down.
“Not Billie,” she admitted.“Somehow she got the best of both of our families.I know in my heart she’ll be fine.”
“Then what?”
They stood alone in her kitchen.It wasn’t the least bit romantic, what with raw vegetables scattered around on the counter and the sound of their daughter playing in the backyard.Yet she felt in tune with Adam.Perhaps hewouldunderstand.
“It’s not my finest hour,” she said tentatively, waiting to gauge his reaction.
“Are you waiting for a promise that I won’t judge you?”
She nodded.
His brown eyes searched her face.He struggled with her request.She saw the battle rage in his eyes.Then she saw victory.Her victory, and it tasted sweeter than she would have imagined.
“I give you my word.”
How ironic.She’d given hers once, and it’d had no value.Yet she would risk her life on the strength of Adam’s word.
“I’m afraid of losing Billie.”
“But you said you thought she’d be fine.”
“Not to anything bad.To you.”
He frowned.“I don’t understand.”
She started to step away, but he tightened his hold on her face just enough to let her know he wanted her to stay.She relaxed.He eased her forward, slipping his hand around her neck and under her braid, until she rested against his side.His arm came around to hold her close.
“I’ve always been first in her life.The only constant in a changing world.That’s all about to change.She likes you already, Adam.She can’t help but grow to love you.”
“You’re assuming I’ll do well.”
“You will.”
“I wish I could be as sure.”He took a deep breath, then released it.“If you knew this was going to happen, why did you bother…” Now he was the one who stiffened slightly.
She wrapped her arm around his waist and held on.“Don’t, Adam.Why did I bother coming back, if I knew the risk I was taking?Is that the question?”
“Yes.”
