Page 90 of Her Summer Hope

He remembered her eyes last night, the way they held a vast depth of unspoken pain, the way they seemed to plead for understanding without uttering a word.

She was a survivor and she was doing what was best for her kids. That was the thought that had rolled through his mind ever since she’d confessed, and he kept going back to it like a sore tooth.

He found himself clicking the box to continue her pay for the next month. It wasn’t just about the money, it was an acknowledgment on his part, a silent gesture of support for what she was going through.

Kyle leaned back, rubbing his temples.

He thought about reaching out to her, to offer a word of comfort, maybe let her off the hook. But he hesitated, his fingers hovering over his phone. It had only been a day since they had rushed off, her world turned upside down, and his kind of crushed a little.

But it was a lot to process and he couldn’t find the words, not yet. He wasn’t even sure what he was going to do.

The clock on the wall ticked steadily, marking the passage of time in the stillness of the room. Kyle's thoughts drifted, replaying the close moments he and Madison had shared.

Each laugh, each shared look, once tainted with his guilt over her marriage, now seemed to hold a different meaning. Without the weight of his guilt, he found it much easier to think about what he felt for her.

A knock on the door jarred him from his reverie. He straightened up, composing himself.

“Come in,” he called, his voice steady.

John entered, his presence filling the room with an easy, calming energy. “Hey, Top. Just wanted to check in and remind you about Neil. Everything okay?”

Kyle offered a half-smile. “Just the usual end-of-month admin shit.”

John leaned against the doorframe, his gaze perceptive. “Doesn’t look like ‘just usual shit’ to me. You’ve got that look.”

“What look?” Kyle asked, an eyebrow raised.

“That ‘world’s on my shoulders’ look. You’re thinking about Madison, aren’t you?”

Kyle sighed, the truth undeniable. “Yeah. It’s a lot to take in. Her situation, the kids, everything she’s been through…”

John nodded, understandingly. “Life has a way of throwing people into the gauntlet. But you’ve got a good heart, Kyle. Maybe that’s exactly what she needs right now.”

Kyle shook his head, a mixture of frustration and confusion in his eyes. “I don’t know, John. It’s complicated. I want to help, but I also don’t want to overstep…and then the lies. And there’s the retreat to think about…”

He groaned and looked at the man. “This could get messy.”

John walked over and placed a reassuring hand on Kyle’s shoulder. “You’ve built something great here, Kyle. This place is a sanctuary, not just for those who come seeking peace, but for you too. Don’t lose sight of that.”

Kyle met John’s steady gaze. “I just wish I knew the right thing to do.”

John shrugged. “Sometimes, the right thing is just to be there.”

The words resonated with Kyle, a sense of clarity beginning to pierce through the fog of his thoughts. He nodded. He could do that.

Just be there.

John shoved off from the doorframe, ready to leave. “And Kyle, remember, you don’t have to carry all this alone. We’re all here for you, just like you’re here for us.” He stopped in the doorway. “Oh, and Wyatt said if you try to make chili for supper again, he’s going full Rambo.”

Kyle groaned. “When’s Neil getting here?”

“Pete’s driving him from the airport. He’ll be here later today.”

As the door closed behind John, Kyle let out a deep breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. Maybe John was right. Maybe being there for her, despite the complexities, was the start.

Kyle stood up, feeling much better about everything. The lies still stung, but he could get past them easily enough if he remembered why she had done it. She had done it for those kids. When he’d seen them in that cold hospital, so damned little and scared and lost, he’d immediately felt a sense of protectiveness—the same one he’d felt for Maddy and Em.

He would give Madison the space she needed but would be ready to offer support when the time was right.

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