Page 5 of Corrupt Obsession

Violet’s mouth kicked up on one side, even as a tear slid down her cheek. “Thanks.” Her eyes flicked to Lynne. “When I play, I lose my head.”

“She’s competitive,” Isaac said apologetically as he put an arm around Violet’s slumped shoulders. “Since she’s usually going up against grown men, we let her take any advantage she can get. I didn’t know she wouldn’t hold back when she’s playing with kids her age.”

“It doesn’t bother me,” Jesse said.

Isaac didn’t smile, but the flash of approval in his eyes made him straighten a little, even though he didn’t know how he felt about him just yet. He hadn’t embarrassed Violet, as his father used to when teaching him a lesson. That told him a lot about the man. Though they hadn’t had a one-on-one conversation, he found himself leaning toward Mom’s opinion that Isaac was a good guy.

“I’m really sorry,” Violet said, breath hitching suspiciously.

Jesse stiffened as more tears poured down her face. “It’s fine,” he said and would have stepped forward, but Mom moved first.

“It’s okay, honey. Everything’s fine,” Mom soothed as she gave Violet a hug.

“I wanted everything to be perfect and I…” Violet hiccupped. “I ruined…”

“You didn’t ruin a thing,” Mom admonished. “Being passionate is a gift, we just need to know how to channel it andaccept defeat gracefully.” When Violet began to sob, Mom patted her back. “There’s no reason to be upset. You didn’t give Jesse a bloody nose or a black eye, which he’s gotten from playing sports.”

Violet raised her face from his mother’s chest and looked at him with puffy eyes. “You’re not mad?”

He shook his head.

Violet looked up at Lynne. “You aren’t going to break up with my dad?”

“No, I’m not going to break up with your father,” Mom said with a broad smile. “In fact, after meeting you, I think I like him even more than I already did.”

Violet’s eyes widened. Jesse was disconcerted to see that she’d somehow cried the green out of her eyes, and they were now brown again.

“Do you love him?” Violet asked.

“Violet!” Isaac said sharply and reached for his daughter, but Mom’s response made Isaac freeze.

“I do.”

Jesse’s heart slammed against his ribcage. Mom hadn’t told him she loved Isaac and from the look on his face, this was his first time hearing it as well. Violet looked like Christmas had come early. All of them were in various states of shock, while his mother calmly stroked Violet’s hair.

“Love is a strange thing. It creeps up on you when you least expect it,” Mom murmured.

“Are y’all getting married?”

“Violet.”

Isaac’s voice had lost all power. It was more of a croak.

“I don’t know if your dad’s in the same place as I am,” Lynne said before she put her arm around Violet’s shoulders. “I think you and I have given Jesse and your dad enough shocks for the day.”

And with that, Mom and Violet strolled away, leaving him with Isaac. He waited until they were out of earshot before he spoke.

“Do you love her?” Jesse asked bluntly.

Isaac closed his eyes, tipped his head back, and stared up at the cloudless sky. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he said, “From the moment I laid eyes on her.” He took a deep breath before he looked back at Jesse. “The only other woman I loved like this walked away.”

“Mom won’t walk. She’s a military wife. She’ll stick with you till death.”

Isaac nodded, but he looked troubled rather than thrilled. They both knew their lives had been set on a different course. He matched Isaac’s pace as they followed in Mom and Violet’s wake.

“You did well with Violet. I think she scares most boys,” Isaac said.

“I don’t scare easy.”

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