Page 60 of Unexpected Danger
Mila propped her sandaled feet on an overturned bucket. “Roarke mentioned you were practically like family.”
If only Londyn could turn back time. If she could, so much wouldn’t have happened. She wouldn’t have broken Brodie’s heart, and she wouldn’t have disappointed the woman who was more like a mother to her than her own mother.
“Yes. They were my surrogate family. My mom is too busy marrying and divorcing, and my dad has no room in his life for us. The last time we heard from him was because he was attempting to convince Mom to reduce his child support.”
“Wow. Sounds like father of the year.”
“Yeah, pretty much. I lost track of him years ago. The Brennemans became the family I never had. Whenever they would go on vacation during my junior high and high school years, they would take me along with them. I joined the church youth group upon Brodie’s suggestion, and it was there that I surrendered my life to Christ.”
“They really did have a lot of influence on you.”
“They did.” Londyn stared out across the yard. What would she have done without the Brennemans?
“When I was going through some tough stuff, Aileen opened her house to me. She is a wonderful woman. My heart breaks for her that she struggles with ongoing chronic pain.”
“Aileen definitely has the gift of hospitality. I’m thankful the Lord made her strong, as she’s dealt with a lot over the years.” Londyn turned to face Mila. Allowing a new friend into her life wasn’t easy. Not after Jasmine and Dustin, but there was something different about Mila. Not only because she marriedRoarke, but because she was genuine. “I heard about you witnessing a murder. I’m so sorry about that.”
“Thank you.” She shivered, even in the heat of the day. “Were it not for the Lord’s protection, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
They sat and watched the boys splash around in the water, and Yukon's continual standing in the pool and shaking out his fur before Mila spoke again. “I understand about not having parents who are positive role models. My mom was a drug addict, and I never knew who my dad was. My grandma raised me.”
“I’m sorry. That’s tough.”
“It was. But my Grandma Nan was such a godly influence in my life. Had my mom raised me, I would not be the woman I am today.”
Londyn had never known her grandparents. She had spoken to her maternal grandmother once, but had never met her.
Mila crossed her legs at the ankles and reclined further in the chair. “So, you and Brodie have just always been good friends and had just recently dated?”
“Right. We’d recently begun dating before he proposed.” She’d fallen for him so easily, but fear, trepidation, and concerns allowed Londyn to be content with the role of being girlfriend and boyfriend, even though marriage was the next natural progression.
For a moment, Londyn was back at the park that night. It was the same park they’d gone to for the prom all those years ago. Perhaps that’s why Brodie had chosen it to pop the question. A man who savored tradition, he was also predictable, which was why it still shocked her that she didn’t realize what he was planning to do.
“Brodie popped the question ten years after our prom date. I broke his heart that day.”
There was no judgment in Mila’s gaze as she asked her next question. “You left after he asked you to marry him?”
“I did. Much to my regret. I broke up with him and left town.” Should she share more with Mila? Confide in her? It did feel good to get some of it off her chest. “Just between us…”
“Of course.”
Londyn had no reason to doubt Mila’s sincerity. Unless she was like Jasmine. Which, Londyn doubted. Mila was different, and they’d connected immediately. “I think a big part of it was fear. Fear that I would be like my mom and someday break his heart. The ironic thing is, I did break his heart.”
“Like your mom?”
“She can’t stay married for anything. As a matter of fact, it’s probably only a matter of time before she tires of her current husband.”
That day was cemented in Londyn’s mind, not only with what happened with Brodie, but also what happened earlier that day. Mom had called her to say she was divorcing her fourth husband, Lance, after seven years, the longest she’d been married to any man. While most of Mom’s husbands entered and exited through a revolving door without much notice of Londyn, Lance had been different. She was already an adult by the time Mom married him, yet she was the closest to him and second only to Mr. Brenneman, considering him somewhat of a father figure. He had grown children of his own, but he always included her in any of their family activities.
That was until Mom decided she’d found someone else. Then Lance walked out of Londyn’s life as well.
“But you’re not your mom.” Mila’s words interrupted Londyn’s recollections.
“Thank you. I know, but it’s just…” How could she explain it? That she was wary of deep emotional attachment, although she and Brodie had always shared that through their friendshipand later their relationship? Londyn had freaked out that day, to the detriment of losing Brodie’s friendship, his respect, and his family’s respect. But Londyn knew—she just knew—that someday she’d probably be just like Mom. Tiring of the men she’d welcomed into her life. Casting them aside as if discarded clothes. Initiating divorce and moving on. Never caring how it impacted her kids.
If Londyn had agreed to marry Brodie, she wouldn’t have been the wife he needed.
“Do you think there’s a chance you two would maybe someday be more than friends?”
