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Josh nods and stares at the sunlight reflecting off the pool water. “I had my doubts about him at first. He was always a wild kid. But there’s no way to deny that he really loves you.”
“He does. And I love him.”
My uncle turns his head and gives me a wistful smile. “Hard to believe that any man would be worthy of you, Tessie.
“Micah is.”
He nods. Shifts his weight. Returns his gaze to the pool water.
I clear my throat loudly. “Since you’re here, shouldn’t we discuss the obvious?”
He takes a seat in a chair at the patio table. He waits until I do the same before speaking.
“Stuart made a mistake.”
“A mistake would be forgetting my birthday. Not taking a blowtorch to my life and my career.”
“He’s devastated. He really is. That story, all of it, came from Helena. She convinced him that the evidence was undeniable.”
I’d laugh if the reality didn’t hurt so much. “Isthatwhat he told you?”
He’s eager to explain now that we’re on this topic. “Think about it. He’s been devoted to you since the day you were born. It doesn’t make sense that he would just cut you off.”
“Sense or not, it’s what happened. My father made it clear he has no use for me. Then he tried to ruin my life.”
He grimaces as if in pain. “Your father loves you.”
“Oh, please. Don’t give me his secondhand excuses. He was already on thin ice after the Dr. Spigato drama. I’ll never believe another word he says, not ever. Where do youreallystand on all this, Uncle Josh? Tell me so I don’t waste my time. I’m tired of being hurt by my so-called family.”
He exhales with a pained look. “Tess, please believe me when I say I didn’t have any part of what happened with that doctor. I had no reason to think Stuart’s health issues weren’t genuine.”
“So then he manipulated you the same way he manipulated me. I’m sure it’s not the first time. Yet you stay at his side. Why?”
Josh hangs his head and sighs. “Stuart took care of me when I had no one else. He cleaned out his own bank account to send me to college so I wouldn’t have to use student loans. He went above and beyond what any brother should rightfully expect.”
“And you’ve paid him back with your undying loyalty over the years, haven’t you?”
He raises his eyes and something flashes in their depths. “You might say that.”
In a way, I pity my uncle. “It’s not easy, is it? Seeing your hero for what he really is. I know the feeling.”
Josh blinks. “Yeah, I guess you do.” He pushes a hand through his thick, dark hair that still shows no trace of grey. “I’m sorry. I wish I’d been there when you needed me.”
“I didn’t call you,” I remind him.
He gives me a sad smile. “Why not?”
“I thought in the end you’d be Stuart’s ally, not mine.”
He leans forward. “You listen to me now, Tessie Belle. I love my brother. Even knowing what I know about him. But I will always and I meanalwaysdrop whatever I’m doing when you call. I’m on your side. That’s never going to change.”
Josh isn’t without his flaws. But I can’t call him insincere.
No, when he makes a pledge, then you can be sure he’ll follow through.
“Good to know.”
He leans back in his chair and his relief brings a smile. “It’s the truth.”
