Page 27 of Until Kendal

I took a deep breath. I’d judged everything all wrong. “That had to be hard.”

All eyes turned toward me.

Joel straightened, and Ellie returned to her husband, but then Joel asked, “How’s Hope?”

Ellie took her husband’s hand and smiled so brightly that we didn’t need electricity. “She’s amazing. I think of her as my own, as does my Jax, and she wants for nothing.”

Joel took a deep breath. “I’m glad she always had you.”

Ellie dragged her husband closer. “I’m sorry I never looked for you.”

“Don’t be." Joel shrugged then came beside me like we were a team. “You wouldn’t have found me. I have a new name, new life, and money. I figured you’d want the birth certificate in case you ever wanted to take her on vacation, and I wanted to know Hope was okay.”

Joel shrugged as he moved beside me, as though we were a team. We weren’t a couple. All we’d done was kiss. My spine tingled; I was unsure what to add.

“Thank you, Joel," Jax said. "The lawyers were hitting a dead end in getting me a copy.”

He nodded, gazing at both of them. “Look, if you ever need anything for Hope, anything at all, even if it’s just for tuition or a new car she might need, just call me.”

He handed them each a business card.

Jax shook his hand. “Look, tomorrow come by our house and see your niece.”

“I’m not trying to impose.”

“You absolutely aren’t.”

His eyes widened like he’d been punched in the stomach. “Are you sure?”

Ellie laughed. “Yeah. Jax is grilling cheeseburgers in the backyard.”

Joel turned toward me. “I’d like that, if that’s okay Kendal.”

I wasn’t in the position to give permission. I cupped his face, as I wasn’t sure he would let me in a minute. “Sure.”

Ellie pointed her husband toward the boxes. “We’ll leave you, but it was good to know you’re okay, Joel. I don’t know why you didn’t tell me the morning when I saw you waiting for Kendal.”

“Seeing you was again was shocking. You’re the only person alive who knew who I was.”

“Well, don’t be a stranger. We all need family.”

We walked them out, said goodbye, and listened to their footsteps. Once we couldn’t hear anyone, Joel asked, “Did you call Ellie?”

Now it was time to face facts. I'd destroyed my dreams of us together. I lifted my chin, hoping he would listen. “I thought the worst when I saw you had all those papers.”

His face reddened like he was embarrassed. “I should have told you the second I saw you knew Ellie.”

He owed me nothing. It was hard to imagine Joel, with those muscles all over his body, ever being ignored or able to avoid. However, I knew he was smart. I curled my hands around my waist. “I’m sorry I didn’t confront you first. I saw Hope’s picture and remembered Ellie’s past. I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it.” He reached for my waist. “You saved me some trouble.”

I gazed up at him. His warm eyes made me melt. “Forgiveness can’t be that easy.”

He kissed my cheek. “It can be. I hope you can forgive me for not bringing it up the other day.”

I couldn’t look away. I reached for him and held him as I said, “You have nothing to apologize for, Joel.”

Then he kissed me.

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