Page 39 of Before We Say I Do

Chapter Eleven

The doors slammed as Kyle and Mr. Jones exited the truck.

“Do you mind if I make a phone call before I go in?” Mr. Jones asked.

“Sure. Take your time.”

Kyle strolled around the truck, up the walkway, taking the few steps up the porch to the front door. Entering his key, he unlocked the door and eased into the foyer, leaving the door ajar for his father-in-law.

The loft was quiet as he walked through, pulling the coat from his broad shoulders and tossing it over the sofa in the living room.

He paused, took an eye around, then zeroed in on the muffled voices coming from the patio.

The door slid open as he approached, and with eyes half-mast, London entered the room, gliding right into his arms, laying her head on his chest.

“I’m sorry.” She hugged him tightly, then looked into his gaze. “I love you, and I’m so sorry. I should’ve never held anything from you. I don’t know what I was thinking. I…”

“Slow down, borboleta.” He rubbed her chin and placed a kiss on the bridge of her nose. “You don’t have to keep apologizing.”

“Yeah, but I do. I feel so bad. I—” The front door closed, and the noise drew her attention. “Is someone with you?”

Coming around the corner, Mr. Jones and London locked eyes.

“Daddy?” she said, surprised.

“Hey, baby girl.”

Easing around Kyle, London strolled to her father.

“What are you doing here? Is everything okay?”

“Yes. I told Kyle I wanted to stop by and see you. I hope I’m not interrupting.”

“No. Not at all. I just didn’t expect to see you.” Her eyes roamed over his appearance. A little ruffled, but his demeanor was brighter than usual in the aspect that he was talking to her like he used to. Using her childhood sentiment, baby girl.

Mr. Jones grabbed London’s hands and she noticed the gauze wrapped around his knuckles.

She frowned. “Daddy?”

“That’s nothing to be concerned about.” He paused and glanced at Kyle, then back to London. “I want to apologize to you. I’ve been obsessed with making sure what happened to you never happens to you again. Or your mother. So much so that I’ve completely abandoned you two.” He shook his head. “I didn’t even notice it until Kyle came over today.”

Mr. Jones regarded Kyle, who stood a few steps behind London, a sentimental expression on his face as he watched the two.

“Daddy, you don’t have to apologize.”

“But I do.”

“You’ve lost someone who was near to your heart. I imagine it’s like a funeral without an actual death.”

He nodded, the first sign of acknowledgment he’d given since the kidnapping all went down.

“Be that as it may, there’s no excuse for abandoning you and your mother. As your father and her husband, not only do I have a duty to protect you both, but also make sure I’m your sounding board whenever you need one.” He glanced at Kyle. “Though I’ll have some help now.” A smile eased across his face as it did Kyle’s.

It was the first time in months that London witnessed an inkling of happiness on his face. It brought tears to her eyes, and she held her lips tight and tossed her arms around him.

Mr. Jones embraced her back, his hug the tight bear hug London remembered.

She drew from him but held on, looking into his eyes.

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