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He leaned in and kissed her cheek, lingering an extra moment as he spoke into her ear. “I love you.” The rumble of his voice sent everything inside her tumbling and spinning.
“I love you too.”
He smiled as he pulled away. “We’re gonna fix this together. And we’re gonna be better for it.”
“I hope so.”
He turned around, switching the key fob for the Jeep with hers on the wall. Finn entered the code into the alarm before he opened the door. “Stay safe.”
“You too.”
He shut the door with a click, the gadget on the wall beeping twice with the reengagement of the alarm system. She stared out the living-room window as he backed out of the driveway. His taillights faded, leaving behind embers of hope flaring to life in her soul.
Maybe they could do this. Maybe it wouldn’t work out. At the very least, she believed they were both giving their all this time. She’d fight for her marriage, but she’d also fight for herself too.
The baby in her belly kicked three times in succession. It seemed even their unborn son was rooting for them.
42
Charli
Charli opened the front door for Finn. He smiled, his eyes lighting up as if he was overjoyed to see her. Flecks of snow dusted across the short, dark locks on the top of his head, down the faded sides, and on his shoulders. He was wearing the black, military-style peacoat she’d gotten him last Christmas. He stepped inside and shut the door behind him.
“Good afternoon.” He held out a bag towards her.
“What’s this?” She took it from him and peered inside.
“I noticed you needed a coat that fit over your baby bump.”
She stared at him a moment. He bought me a winter jacket? Her heart stuttered as she pulled the turquoise puffy fabric from the bag.
“The receipt is in the bag in case you don’t like it or it doesn’t fit. But the sales lady assured me it was warm and comfortable.” Finn slipped his hands into his pockets in a self-conscious gesture.
“It’s perfect.” She fought to hold back the emotion threatening to leak from her eyes—again. Setting the bag down, she slipped the new coat on. Finn must have noticed her struggling to locate the zipper over her bump because he clasped the sides for her and zipped it up.
“Thank you.”
“No need for this?” he asked, lifting the tag from her wrist.
She shook her head.
He pulled the plastic tab off and dropped it into the bag. “Ready to go?”
As ready as I’ll ever be. “Yeah.”
She followed him out. He offered his hand, and she stepped down the newly shoveled and salted steps. When did he do that?
“Careful. It’s slippery.” Finn’s care tugged on her heartstrings. He’d always been a good man. That was never in question.
He helped her into the car before he climbed in the driver’s side. Holiday music bled from the radio, and the instant blast of heat was comforting. Finn drove them to their destination without another word. It was a comfortable silence. The closer they got to the city, the more Finn tapped on the steering wheel. She wanted to reach out and comfort him, knowing his nerves were getting the best of him. But it was too easy to slip back into the role she’d carved out for herself of giving him everything regardless of how it affected her. If they were truly going to work through things, she had to see his growth.
“This is it.” Finn slid the Jeep into park, eying the brick building in front of them.
Charli studied the sign on the door, Veritas Counseling Services.
He released a long breath and climbed out of the vehicle before opening her door for her and helping her out. His palm stayed on her lower back, guiding her to the entrance. She walked in ahead of him to a small waiting room with several plants and a couple of beige couches.
Finn moved over and pressed what looked to be a doorbell before he gestured to one of the sofas. “We can wait here.”
