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Tim buckled the twins into their car seats in the jeep and waited for everyone to settle in the cars, before locking the garage door.
At home, Teresa warmed the dinner she’d cooked that morning and insisted the whole family eat together. “That includes you, Tim. Don’t you dare leave us.”
He smiled, trying to soothe the concerned mother. He understood her effort to appease her edgy daughter. “I wouldn’t miss a delicious meal.”
“Try not to miss a shot at happiness too,” she quipped.
When they were seated and served, Russell announced, “You are all invited to my house tomorrow.”
“To your house?” Erin grumbled. “I can’t with the children.”
“Don’t worry, they’ll have fun. I want you all present.”
“I have to—”
“No excuses. Tomorrow is Sunday. You are all free and deserve a rest. You’ll relax at my house.” Russell’s tone brooked no argument.
***
Cornering her mother in the kitchen after the children had gone to bed, and Tim had retired to his quarters, Erin stuck her fists on her hips. “Mom, what’s all this about?”
“You’ll see. Put on one of the new dresses I bought you and make sure the kids look neat.”
“As if I didn’t have enough problems now.”
Instead of commiserating, Teresa started singing and stepped into her suite.
Frustrated to no end, Erin slowly climbed to her own room. Life had become one string of headaches after another. A long hot shower helped release the tension in her back, but didn’t lessen the heartache. She sprawled on her bed and shut her eyes.
Sleep eluded her. How could she sleep when tension escalated by the minute between Tim and her, and she lived in constant fear of seeing him pack up and move out of his cottage?
All morning, he’d pushed her aside, ignored her suggestions, and had taken control as if he owned the place. The way he’d cleaned the old house and tackled the garage sale, one would swear he was fulfilling a last promise to quiet his conscience before disappearing for good. She shuddered at the thought. Good Lord, she would never survive if Tim left. Her heart would shut down, and she would die a slow death.
For months, he’d helped, supported, and showered her with continuous attention, and later he’d branded her with his kisses and lovemaking.
During her married life, she’d been the backbone of the family, subsidizing Ben’s studies, buying their house, dropping out of college to work and support their small family. She was the one who’d always remained calm, suppressed her emotions to encourage her husband, and multitasked, working, cooking, and cleaning while pregnant and raising small children.
Ben would flunk big time if compared to Tim. Why was she even trying? Ben was gone forever, leaving her with an acute sense of loss. She’d mourned him for several months and would have continued to do so for longer if she hadn’t discovered his betrayal.
Rather than wallowing in regrets and resentment, she should grab the silver lining life was offering her—a gorgeous, successful, and generous man who was in love with her and adored her children. She’d seen him chatting with them today. Despite his talk about punching their father, Tim hadn’t changed his interaction with the children.
Was he still in love with her? A new anguish seared her heart. Silent and defeated, she reviewed his morning attitude. He’d helped a lot but otherwise had ignored her. Her distress peaked to shatter the last shreds of her control. Her spirit sinking lower and lower, she sobbed for hours.
Chapter Twenty-One
In the morning, Erin awoke with a formidable headache and a new set of resolutions. More than a year ago, she’d lost her cherished husband to a rival. Today, she pledged she would never let another woman stealherman. With a four-step plan, she would bring him back into her arms. And keep him.
When she heard the children’s babbling, she stopped by each room kissing them good morning, helping them fix their beds and setting out a nice outfit to wear for their visit.
“Let’s go downstairs for breakfast,” she said after changing the twins’ diapers.
Teresa had already prepared a delicious breakfast. The smell of scrambled eggs and sausages stirred everyone’s appetite. Determined to shed any negative thought, Erin sat and chatted with the children.
“If you’re done eating, wash your faces and brush your teeth. I’ll help you get dressed and combed.”
Once the kids were ready, in their cute pants and sweaters with a similar orange and black Halloween ribbon holding their ponytails, she sent them to the family room.
“David, go knock on Coach Tim’s door, and ask him to put on your Sunday cartoons. I’m going to get dressed.”
