Page 84 of Hidden Vows
Even after that conversation, things between them were still strained. It wasn’t until three or four months later that things between Edward and Abbey really got better.
Edward showed up at the bar one day—very differently than any of his previous visits—and apologized for everything. I thought it was fake at first, but when I truly looked at him, I saw the sorrow in his eyes.
It was the look in my father’s eyes over Edward’s shoulder that made me realize he stepped in to help.
It didn’t surprise me to learn he went to Edward to talk about their past. Once Dad woke up from his coma, I couldn’t avoid telling him the truth forever.
I’d been right about his reaction, though—he’d been mad and disappointed I never went to him in the first place. But he loved me, and was happy I was home and working things out with Abbey.
Abbey hated taking the money from me for the bookstore, but the way I saw it, there was no one else I’d spend the money with or on. Her dreams were my dreams, and this was an easy one for me to help make a reality.
Besides, having Abbey in my life had those creative juices flowing, and my books were selling better than ever before. I still don’t make public appearances, and my identity’s still a secret from the world at large, but the people who matter most to me know the truth, and that’s more than enough.
Arms slip around my waist as a body I know well presses into my side. Abbey’s soft voice sounding in my ear pulls me back to the moment in front of me. “What are you doing?”
“Feeling very thankful for the life I have.” I wrap my arm around her, pulling her front even closer into my side.
“We’ve built a pretty amazing one.” Her eyes drift to our son, laughing at the silly face my father makes.
“It’s perfect. Better than I ever imagined.”
