AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Maybe it’s better if I leave it as it is. I don’t have time for a relationship and Cammie.”
Mom shook her head with disapproval. “You have time for what you make time for.”
That was an interesting concept.
“If you want to make it work, then you will.”
“You make it sound so simple.” And I knew it wasn’t.
“You’re complicating things. The question is, how do you feel?” She leaned on the counter, studying me.
It had been a long time since I’d bothered to feel anything other than surviving Maria’s death, the move, and the opening of the business. I felt bad about what I’d said to Brooke, but there was a lightness there, too—hope? “I feel hopeful.”
“Hold on to that feeling.”
I hesitated, wondering if I should tell her more. “Brooke’s been through a lot. She doesn’t trust easily.”
She pointed the spatula at me. “But she trusts you.”
I thought back to how she was after she told me the truth when we were camping. “I think she does.”
“Then you can’t betray her trust. It would be like reliving what she already went through.”
Would it be?
“I raised you to be a good man. I raised you to be in touch with your feelings.”
I didn’t like to think about it like that, but she’d raised me to consider how my actions affected others.
She tipped her head to the side. “What’s your heart telling you to do?”
It was telling me not to sever my connection to Brooke. “To not let her go.”
“There you have it.” She resumed mixing the dough, leaving me to my thoughts.
A buzz came from my phone, and I looked at the screen to see a message from Juliana. The sellers had accepted my offer on the house. “Looks like I bought a house.”
Mom’s face lit up and then fell. “I’m happy for you, but I’ll miss you around here.”
“Cammie will still be here most days,” I reminded her.
Her forehead wrinkled. “It won’t be the same.”
Watching Cammie play outside, I said, “We need our own space.”
“I know you do. I still want to see her all the time, and I want to cook for you.”
“Things won’t change when we move out. I promise.” That seemed to satisfy her. The thing was, though, when I imagined living in that house, I saw Brooke there—gently chiding Cammie to come down from the treehouse, pitching to her in the backyard, and even helping me cook in the kitchen.
Mom formed a round ball with the dough and carefully placed each one on a cookie sheet.
I spent more time with Cammie that night, being extra attentive. I wanted her to feel loved and important. We watched a movie, and then I tucked her into bed, reading a chapter book about dragons.
A successful business allowed me the freedom to spend more time with my family, but I couldn’t help but think we were incomplete without Brooke. I needed to apologize for my careless words, and I needed to make things right. I just hoped it wasn’t too late.
ChapterTwenty-Five
BROOKE
