AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Liam clenched his jaw. He had always gotten along well with Kyle, who was a kind and loyal guy. But he wasn’t about to condone his brother-in-law throwing a keg of dynamite on an already explosive situation. He couldn’t risk the hurt Aidan would feel if everything fell apart. Or the pain Ruby might feel. Everything may have changed in his world, but he would never stop being his family’s protector.
“I’ve never given you reason to question my motives before, Kyle. My main concern about telling your sister is Aidan. He’s over the moon to have his mother back. Let’s give them an opportunity to bond without throwing a monkey wrench in the mix.”
Kyle nodded. “I’m sorry if I sounded curt or if it appears that I’m sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong. I just don’t want this to blow up in everybody’s faces.”
“Neither do I. I promise you that I’m doing everything in my power to make sure Ruby is safe and protected and loved.”
Kyle knitted his brows together. “I believe you, but what if she remembers everything, Liam?”
He felt torn about Kyle’s question. On one hand, it would be a dream come true. But, if Ruby had total recall, she might decide their marriage had died two years ago. She would realize he hadn’t been completely on the up-and-up with her. Although he had done a good job of convincing himself this was mainly about Aidan, he couldn’t deny his marriage hung in the balance.
Either way, this was his marriage and he wasn’t going to let anyone else determine its fate. “I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it,” he said, a slight edge to his voice.
“Just make sure that you protect Ruby in the process,” Kyle said.
Cold, harsh anger flared inside him. “She’s my wife, Kyle. I’ve always had her best interests at heart. Since the day we pledged our lives to one another, I’ve always kept that vow. That’s never going to change.”
For a moment they stared each other down. The tension between them palpable.
All of a sudden Kyle broke the tension by sticking out his hand. Liam reached out and clasped it. Kyle pulled him in for a hug.
“You’re a good man, Liam,” Kyle said. “And I’ve always admired you as a husband and father. I just don’t want Ruby hurt any more than she’s already been.”
Kyle was protecting his sister the same way Ruby had always watched over him and kept him out of harm’s way after their parents’ deaths. It was ironic that Kyle thought his sister would be the one to get hurt in all of this. Because ever since Ruby had taken off her wedding rings and asked for a separation, Liam’s own heart had been on life support.
* * *
Ruby had been sitting by Aidan’s bed for about ten minutes now. At first he hadn’t wanted her to come inside his bedroom, but once he’d allowed her entry, he had buried his face in his pillow and refused to talk to her.
Finally, Ruby reached out and gently turned him on his side.
“Hey, buddy. I know you’re angry, but acting like this isn’t the answer.”
Aidan looked at her through red-rimmed, puffy eyes.
“Go away. You’re just pretending to like me. I heard what you said to Uncle Kyle out there.”
“And that upset you.”
Aidan sat up and faced her. “Yes. Parents are supposed to love each other.”
Ruby bit her lip. How in the world could she explain this so her son would understand it? He was only a little boy. One who seemed very invested in the idea that his parents would walk off into the Alaskan sunset together. She didn’t want to break his little heart, but she also didn’t want him to invest in a pipe dream.
“Aidan, right here, right now, I’m going to make a promise to you. I’m never going to lie to you. I’ve been away for two long years. You know all about how I lost my memory, so you have to remember that loving your father isn’t something I remember. Love builds over time and I’ve only been back for two days.”
“W-what about me? Do you love me?” His voice trembled. She could see the longing in his eyes, the heartfelt desire to be loved by his mother. It was the most natural thing in the world.
Ruby hesitated for a moment before answering. She wanted to make sure she spoke from the heart. It was strange to acknowledge it, but she did love her son. Her feelings for him were the most natural, powerful emotions known to mankind. It was innate and instinctual. She knew without a doubt that she would sacrifice her own life to save his. Yes, indeed. It was love.
She reached out and tweaked his nose. “Yes, I love you, Aidan. As surely as the moon glows in the night sky, I do.”
He scrunched his face up. “Then how come that’s different than loving Daddy?”
“For some reason I don’t need to have all my memories intact to tell me that what I feel for you is love.” She put her arm around him. “Remember, I carried you around in my tummy for nine long months. We bonded before you even came into the world.”
Aidan gifted her with a beatific smile.
“So maybe you can learn to love Daddy all over again. Right?” he asked with his head cocked. “Then we can be a real family.”
