“But he loves Callum. And he wanted me to marry a surgeon. It’s all he talks about.”
“He did. But I told him it was your decision whether to forgive Callum or not and that we had to step back and let you make it. He was giving you space to do that.”
“I made it the moment I caught him with Kelly, Mom.”
“I know. Your father takes longer to adjust to change, you know that.”
“Did he want us to get back together?”
“At first. Because he didn’t know the full story. I think he needed to hear it from you to understand.”
“Pretty sure he’s heard all of it now, thanks to Woody.”
She laughs softly. “I think he has. Quite the protective man you have there.”
“Yeah.” I smile.
Mom wraps her arm around me. “It’ll be fine. You’re his daughter, and family comes first no matter what.”
My heart aches as I pray the same will be true for Slade when the truth comes out and he speaks to his family again.
Mom follows my gaze to the two men again.
“He’s Slade Beaufort, isn’t he?”
“What?”
“It’s been years, but I remember him.”
“Oh, I see, from the news.”
“From the boat I was staying on. Near Cape Town.”
I stare at her, my mouth going dry. “Y-you were the stranger who helped him?”
She smiles sadly. “We helped each other. But he was in a bad way, I doubt he remembers me. Perhaps it’s better it stays that way.”
Slade catches my eye and looks between Mom and me, and I just know from the way his attention lingers on her that he remembers.
“I’m not sure secrets are a good idea in families, Mom.”
She tightens her arm around me. “No, you’re right. Perhaps when he’s ready, he and I can talk.”
35
SLADE
“I’m goingto talk to my family tomorrow.”
Jude’s brows shoot up. “Do you want me to come with you?”
I curl my fingers around the crystal in my pocket.
“Whatever your reasons… they love you. Please come to them soon.”
Why would Halliday say that to me? Maybe she doesn’t know what I did. They can’t have told her the truth.
“No. I need to do this alone.”
