Page 4 of Tangled in His Embrace

“I didn’t say I agreed with you, son, but you’re an adult. It’s your decision.” His father stood to put his empty plate in the sink. “Even if I think it’s a bad one.”

That night Jax lay in bed for several hours contemplating what his parents had said. Leaving had been one of the hardest things he’d ever done, but at the time he’d felt like it was the best option. Now, seeing the hurt on Gabby’s face every time he saw her had him second-guessing his choice.

He was still lying there staring at the celling when he heard his bedroom door being pushed open. Turning his head to look, he saw the silhouette of his daughter framed in the doorway, holding her doll.

Jax sat up in bed. “What are you still doing up?”

She rubbed her eye with the back of her hand. “I looked everywhere but I couldn’t find you.”

“I’m right here.”

Taylor shook her head.

Jax felt as if someone had punched him. He realized she must have been dreaming. “Come here.”

She rushed across the room as fast as her little legs would carry her. He lifted the covers, letting her slide in beside him. Taylor snuggled close.

Wrapping his arms around her, he kissed the top of her head. “You had a nightmare. I’m right here.”

“But I couldn’t find you nowhere. I looked and looked. Even Mommy couldn’t find you.” He could tell by the sound of her voice that she was on the verge of tears.

“I’m right here and I’m not going anywhere,” he said, holding her closer and knowing deep down this was all his fault.

“Promise?”

He cradled her against his chest. “I promise.”

A few minutes passed and he thought maybe she’d fallen asleep when he heard her mumble, “Love you, Daddy.”

It broke his heart a little more. “I love you, too, Pumpkin.”

He fell asleep eventually, although he kept waking up. Taylor was a hotbox and she was plastered against him. No matter how he moved, she would shift her weight so her body was flush against his. By the time the sun was shining through the window the next morning, he felt as if he’d slept under an electric blanket that had been turned up to high all night.

Badly in need of some air and a shower, Jax eased his way out from under his daughter. Once he’d thought she’d woken up, but she rolled over and went back to sleep. He breathed a sigh of relief.

Jax grabbed some clean clothes from his overnight bag and headed down the hall to the bathroom. The room hadn’t changed much since he was a kid. There was a new soap dispenser and the shower curtain was different, but most everything else was still the same.. . even the wallpaper.

The water felt good on his overheated skin, but it didn’t wash away the guilt Taylor’s words from last night had left gnawing in his gut. He’d caused that fear in her eyes, whether he’d intended to or not.

After finishing his shower, Jax looked in on Taylor before making his way to the kitchen. His parents were nowhere in sight, but there was a full pot of coffee sitting on the counter waiting for him. He poured himself a cup and reached for the Sunday paper that had been left sitting on the table. No doubt his mother had already been through it looking for coupons.

“Don’t know why you’re bothering to read that. It’s straight up depressing.” His dad strolled into the room and went straight for the coffee. Like father, like son.

“Something to do.” Jax sat down at the table and took a drink of his coffee. “Where’s Mom?”

“She had to run to the store. We’re out of eggs or something.” His dad brought his coffee over to the table and lowered himself into the chair across from Jax. “Taylor still sleeping?”

Jax nodded. “Still out like a light.”

“I noticed she was in your bed this morning.”

“She had a nightmare.”

His father didn’t try to further the conversation, so Jax focused on the newspaper in front of him.

They sat in silence for several minutes before he couldn’t take it anymore. Jax needed a sounding board and his dad was about the only person he could really talk to about this. “Taylor dreamed I had disappeared.”

“I see.”

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