Page 59 of Moonlight Feels Right
"It doesn't sound like you could have done that," she murmured.
"I wish I could have found a way."
Her gaze locked on his. "I really hated you for being alive when Gary was dead."
"I know. I hated myself."
"But it wasn't fair to you. It wasn't your fault. I shouldn't have fallen apart the way I did. I'm a military wife, or I was. I was used to taking care of Olivia on my own because Gary was gone so much. But after he died, I found out our finances were in bad shape. I had to move in with my parents because of that. But then, my dad was drinking too much, and my mother was covering it up, and I knew they weren't capable of babysitting. I couldn't trust them with Olivia. I didn't think I could trust anyone." She let out a breath. "And then I heard Gary's voice in my head saying there's one guy you can always trust. Stop being mad at him for something that wasn't his fault and ask for help."
He could actually hear Gary saying it exactly like that. "I'm glad you came to me with Olivia, but you could have stayed and let me help both of you. Your actions really confused Livvy. And that was wrong, Bree."
"I know. How has she been?"
"Well, she's been okay. The first few days were bumpy. Emmalyn was a godsend. She's a kindergarten teacher at Ravenswood, so she helped Olivia get acclimated. And my neighbors have also rallied around. Olivia made a friend in Henry, and she hasn't had a lot of time to be sad, but it still comes at her, especially at night. She asks me a lot of questions about Gary and about you."
"I'm a terrible mother."
"You were in crisis, and you put Olivia somewhere safe. I get it now. But you have to do better, Bree."
"I know that, and I will. I feel stronger. I can do this. I can raise her."
"Good. Because she needs you as much as you need her." As he heard the sink turn off, he added, "She's almost done. We should talk more later. You are staying, aren't you, Bree?"
"I want to stay, but you don't exactly have the room."
"You can sleep with Olivia. I've been on the couch, and I'm fine with that."
"Okay. I'd like that. I've really missed my girl."
"She's a wonderful kid, Bree, a mix of you and Gary."
She teared up at his words. "Sometimes, she's so much like Gary, it makes me want to cry, but then I try to be happy because it means he lives on in her."
"And in you. What are your plans beyond tonight?"
"I'm not sure. I need to find a job and a place to live. Since Olivia is in school not far from here, I thought I'd try to stay in this neighborhood."
"That would be good. Olivia has already made friends in school, and she loves her teacher." He paused. "There might be an apartment in this building. I can find out."
"I'm not sure how much I can afford."
"I'll help you figure it out. You don't have to do this alone."
"You'd do that for me after I dropped my kid on you without any warning?"
He gave her a small smile. "To be honest, after the shock, I realized it wasn't the worst thing in the world. She's a great kid."
"Are you talking about me?" Olivia asked as she ran into the room with a bright smile.
"I am," he said. "I was just telling your mom what a good girl you've been."
"Are you going to tell me a story tonight, Hunter?"
"I'll let your mom do that. I'll see you in the morning." He gave Olivia a kiss on the cheek, feeling a wave of relief when she walked into the bedroom with her mother. He'd been worrying about what he would do if Bree didn't come back before he finished his tests and possibly got reassigned, but now that wouldn't be a problem.
As the quiet of his apartment settled around him, he really wanted to talk to Emmalyn, but he needed to stay and speak more to Bree when she was done putting Olivia to bed.
Pulling out his phone, he sent her a text: Bree is staying the night, and then we'll figure out what's next. She says she's got her head together now.
