Page 89 of Fierce-Dane

When he’d heard what was going on with her and the fact she’d let her guard down to call him, he realized beyond a doubt he was in love with her.

He was positive he’d never tell his kids about another woman in his life if that wasn’t the case, but he’d been fighting it for so long.

He’d like to think that wanting to call him first meant that she was working toward love on her part too.

“I know,” she said. “I feel like I’m sucking you into this crazy drama that I wish was a nightmare that I will wake up from when the lights come on.”

“Things happen,” he said. “You’re doing the right thing.”

“It didn’t feel that way last night as I watched my life flash before my eyes.” She turned to look at him. Her eyesfilled with tears and it might be the first emotion he’d seen from her. Where the wall was slowly being lowered. “I felt like shit when that crossed my mind too. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”

“And you’re scared. I know. But you’re not alone. I’m right here with you. Trent has already talked to Miranda. There is a good chance you’ll be home tomorrow with Shiloh. Could be tonight if you wanted to leave and get back. It’s all your choice.”

“Probably tomorrow,” she said. “I need to go through my mother’s stuff and get what is Shiloh’s. If it wasn’t for the fact that I could almost put myself in her shoes I worried I would have said to let someone else deal with this. Do you know how many half siblings I’ve got out there? I have no idea. I’m sure this is going to come up too.”

“Trent will be on the call when we are meeting with Miranda and the social worker. He will most likely bring it up prior. You want no secrets.”

“I’m sure my mother has it in her file,” she said. “She’s been in the system since she left. In a few states too. They’d probably be able to get that information.”

“That’s right. It could be they want to just make sure that you’re an upstanding citizen. Trent is getting notarized statements today in your favor.”

“I know,” she said. “I appreciate you putting me in contact with him. I hate that he’s asking Diane and Carolyn and they will know what is going on. I don’t mind my staff’s statements.”

“There is no reason for you to worry about that,” he said. “Your mother passed away and the county is only doing their due diligence. There are character testimonies from people prominent in the area where you live. You’re showing up with your doctor boyfriend too.”

“You’re so proud of yourself aren’t you?” she said, forcing a smile.

He laughed. “I got you to smile a bit.”

“I’m really glad you’re with me,” she said.

“I am too. Sloane, you’re going to get hit hard with grief. Don’t fight it.”

She turned to look at him. “I haven’t talked to my mother in years. I don’t know the first thing I feel. Just numb. I’ve got so many questions and I know I won’t get any answers.”

“You’ll get enough. Then you’ll slowly work your way to get what you need to help Shiloh. You know exactly what it’s like to have your life uprooted. In a different way, but you know. You can help her.”

“I don’t know if I can even help myself and that is a horrible feeling.”

“I’m right here,” he said, reaching over and holding her hand.

He let her silently cry and stare out the window while he got going on the five-hour drive.

He’d stay as long as he had to with her and already told Mel that he had to go out of town with Sloane for a family emergency. He didn’t tell his ex why, but wanted her to know he wasn’t around but to call if she needed him. He hoped to be home Sunday, but if he wasn’t, she’d have to keep the kids.

She’d hesitated but then said yes. He didn’t expect her to say no but didn’t expect the silence either before she agreed.

The rest of the drive they talked on and off. Mainly Sloane asking questions about his kids and things she should or could expect with a child that age.

The truth was, she had to be open to expect anything and he’d been honest there.

This wasn’t a normal situation.

Both Shiloh and Sloane were going to have to add grief into the mix and there was no way to know how either of them would handle it or when it might happen.

After the long drive, they pulled into a gas station to go to the bathroom and for him to fill up. They had thirty minutes still and he knew she needed to compose herself.

“Do you want me to get you something to eat or drink?”

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