Page 105 of Stone
A few seconds later, I walked closer to the window where she remained staring out at the tarmac where Tyler’s plane remained. She was tense, her muscles stiff, and I could tell she was more emotional than she’d allowed herself to be the day before.
“What did you say to him?”
She shrugged, even pulling her sunglasses from her purse. “I told him I hoped he knew his birth mother had loved him from the day he was born.”
“Did he ask you why you gave him up?” We’d talked about the situation causing his adoption, but for everyone, questions remained.
Dani tilted her head. “No and even if he had, I don’t know what else I would have told him. How do you tell your son that his biological grandfather hadn’t wanted him and had lied and arranged for him to live with another family? How do you do that? If Tyler thinks I gave him up or we gave him up and that protects him, then so be it.”
“That’s very unselfish of you.”
“Not unselfish. Just realistic. There’s no need to ruin a young man’s life like mine was. I hate my father and would like to see him crushed, but I won’t be cruel to our son. Not under any circumstances.”
“You’re an amazing woman, Dani Vale.”
She turned toward me, shaking her head. “No, I’m not. I’m not even certain who I am any longer.”
Sadly, I wasn’t certain where the time spent with Dani would lead. She was still strangely distant, her eyes filled with the kind of sadness that even learning about her son’s existence couldn’t erase. But even her despair couldn’t change the fact we’d created a life and from what I’d seen, a pretty cool one at that. One thing I knew. I wouldn’t be another person to keep her from achieving her dream. No matter how much letting her go would crush me.
As I watched the plane rolling down the tarmac, I also was faced with the understanding that families could be taken away in an instant.
Just like my parents had been.
“Are you okay?” Dani asked. It was only the second time she’d asked, the first being on the beach.
“Better now that I’ve gotten to spend some time with Ty.”
“He’s very much like his father.”
“You think so, huh?”
She turned toward me, rubbing her hand over my tee shirt. “A big, strong, strapping kind of guy. Highly intelligent. Charming. Well, gruffly charming.”
“You must have me confused with someone else.”
“No, I don’t think so.” She glanced at the small plane as it lifted off. “And don’t worry, he’ll return one day.”
“Maybe he won’t. Maybe seeing us was too much for him.”
“He loved being on the boat. Snorkeling. The dinner you made. He mentioned he’d like to come back.”
I took a deep breath as she rolled her hand over my shoulder. “But things were tense, Dani. I’m no fool. To be honest with you, I think the kid was overwhelmed.”
“First of all, he’s no longer a kid. He’s a grown man. Second, what did you expect? He doesn’t know us. He’s far away from home and his typical protective unit. He’s a stranger filled with questions and emotions.”
“I guess you’re right.” Nothing felt right. I gathered her into my arms and as usual, I had difficulty finding the right words to say, but I needed to establish a baseline, to let her know where I stood on her career. “Dani. Don’t push aside this opportunity you have with the tour. You’ll regret it if you do.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Yeah, I think I do. You placed so many wants and needs on the backburner because of your father and the pregnancy. But now is your time to fly. I won’t stand in your way.”
“You’re not standing in my way. I can paint anywhere.”
“Are you trying to tell me you’d like to stay?”
When she faltered, I knew she remained conflicted. “I’m thinking about it. If you’d like that.”
“I’d love to have you, Dani. These last few days have been… incredible.” I laughed as I brushed my fingers across her cheek.She looked so damn beautiful. “But you will regret missing the opportunity of a lifetime and the last thing I’d ever want is for you to blame me for standing in the way of your dreams.”
