Page 116 of Hearts Aweigh
He rested his hand on hers. “It’s in the past. We’ve both found a better way of living now.”
She took a tentative step his way, then gathered him close. He honestly couldn’t recall the last time his mother hugged him. Her petite frame shuddered as healing flowed through an embrace that was decades overdue. Spencer wished they could stay that way. But there was one more issue to address.
“About your past affair.”
Daisy flinched and pulled away.
“I mean to say, in regard to the indiscretion you mentioned”—he reached out to her—“none of us are perfect. We all need God’s grace, so who am I to judge?” He swallowed. “However, if you require some sort of forgiveness from me, you have it.”
His entire body sagged. He’d gotten the words past his lips.
“Thank you, Spencer,” she murmured. “With your forgiveness, I think I can move on. For too long, I’ve been living like I just left a funeral.”
He studied her black silk blouse and matching pants, and his lips quirked. “Your attire doesn’t exactly complement the surroundings.”
She tugged his sleeve. “It’s time we both cleaned out our closets. This time let’s choose without considering anyone’s opinion but God’s.”
Her words felt like a benediction. Permission to live his life without worry or care for what others said. As they often did, his thoughts swerved to a certain redhead.
He agreed with his mother. A whole new world of happiness awaited, and Abby was the key to getting there. She was a gift straight from a loving Creator in heaven.
He’d almost lost her once. But he’d never make that mistake again.
CHAPTER 57
“GOOD NIGHT, PRINCESSMADDIE.”
Abby kissed her favorite passenger’s forehead as she tucked her into bed. The lovable little girl’s eyes closed when her head touched the silk pillowcase. After tiptoeing from the room, Abby peeked over the balcony. Two waiters cleaned the remainder of their room service meal from the dining table below. She waited until they left the suite before heading downstairs.
Spencer sat on the couch, perusing his tablet. He spotted her and smiled. “There you are.”
Abby flopped onto the couch beside him. She’d insisted on dressing in her Monarch polo and shorts to stem any gossip the waitstaff might spread about her dining with them. But she couldn’t resist wearing a too-tight platform sandal to lessen the height difference between her and Spencer, in case he tried to steal a kiss or two before she left. So far, the sacrifice had been in vain. She bent over, wedged her finger between her foot and the back of the shoe, and moaned.
“What is it?” Spencer dropped his tablet on the couch and leaned closer.
“My feet don’t like these shoes. I’ve been running around in sneakers for the past two years in the Kids Kingdom. I wonder if I can get away with walking barefoot to my cabin.”
“Unprofessional.”
“Easy for you to say.” Abby slid away and kicked off one shoe, lifted her leg, and pointed the other platform heel in his direction. “You don’t have to wear a pair of these. Whoever invented them should be locked up.”
Spencer grabbed the sandal waving half an inch from his knee. “I assure you it wasn’t me. Please point your weapon in another direction.”
Abby tried to lower her foot, but he held on. “You’d better let go unless”—she wiggled her toes—“you’re planning on giving me a foot massage.”
Spencer regarded the jerking digits. He scooted up in his seat and propped her foot on his knee. “Why not.”
“Excuse me?” Abby’s foot curled as he slipped the shoe off. “I was joking. You can let go.”
He ignored her. His warm hands settled on her bare skin, and his fingers kneaded the sore flesh. “I talked with Daisy today.”
“Good.” Abby applauded. “You both need to bond.”
“You must’ve been surprised at my mother’s reaction to our dating announcement. She practically told you to dump me.”
“Have you two always been so … forgive me for saying it but …coldto one another?”
“Mastersons aren’t known for their compassion.” His pressure on her foot increased. “Money. Power. Strength. We possess those in abundance. But whoever designed the family gene pool left out the softer attributes.”
