Page 84 of Unexpected Danger
“Do you plan to stay here then?”
“I’ve been praying about it, but I hope so. I feel like this is my home. I reapplied for my former job and hope to hear back from them soon. Once we catch Dustin, I’ll find an apartment.”
“You know Mom will allow you to stay at the ranch for as long as you need.”
“I know, but I never want to take advantage of her generosity.”
“Did you know I was going to ask you that night?” Brodie had been told he was predictable. Had Londyn suspected when he showed up that night and suggested that they go to the park that he was going to ask her something as monumental as marrying him?
“I thought you were acting strangely. But I honestly didn’t think anything about it, and a marriage proposal wasn’t on my radar.” She clasped her hands together. “I had a lot on my mind that night because of what happened with Mom and Lance.”
Brodie hadn’t known anything had happened between her mom and her mom’s most recent boyfriend on that night. Although he did know that Londyn’s mom was now remarried to someone other than Lance.
“Mom decided earlier that day that she no longer wanted to be married to Lance, so she left him for a guy she met at work. Of course, she called me all excited about it.” Londyn sniffled, andBrodie rummaged around in the glove box for a pack of tissues and handed her one.
She dabbed at her nose. “I immediately called Lance and expressed my condolences. He told me that because he and my mom were no longer married, I was no longer welcome in his life either.”
Brodie hadn’t known these details. He’d met Lance a few times and knew he worked at a local construction company, but that was the extent of his dealings with Londyn’s former stepdad. Brodie suspected Londyn’s mom wouldn’t stay with Lance—the man Londyn was closest to out of all of her mom’s husbands—but he’d had no idea her mom had broken up with him the same day Brodie proposed. “I’m sorry about Lance. I know he filled the role of father more so than the others.”
“He did. At first, I thought maybe because he was hurting so badly, he took out that pain on me. I know we’re all guilty of doing similar things.” She glanced at Brodie before returning her attention to her folded hands. “I seem to have a knack for not keeping the important men in my life.
“I’m still in your life, Londyn.”
“I know,” she whispered. “And I’m grateful for that.”
“Londyn…” The pain pinched his chest. But he had to know. “Why did you leave?”
Londyn wiped a tear away with the back of her hand. “Ironically, I hurt you more than I ever could have imagined that night. I will always regret that for as long as I live.” She blinked rapidly even as the tears welled in her eyes. “But honestly, I was so afraid of being just like my mom.
“Your mom? You’re nothing like your mom.” He nearly spat the words.
“What if I had married you and couldn’t maintain our relationship and broke your heart?” A cry escaped. “I couldn’t have lived with myself if I had hurt you in that way, yet I did hurtyou.” Her shoulders shook. Should he wrap his arms around her? Comfort her? The mass of conflicting emotions inside him was relentless. Anger, frustration, hope, and love for her all tied into one. So he remained on his side of the truck, feeling cold and numb while she cried.
I just—” she extracted a wad of tissues from the pack and dabbed her eyes. “I’m sorry, I’m just a mess.”
“We had a great night tonight at Jimmy’s. We can talk about this later, as I don’t want anything to ruin that.”
“We did have a great time. It was almost as if…”
He waited for her to continue.
“If I were in your life permanently and turned out like my mom and—”
“First of all, you’re nothing like your mom. At all. Secondly, I know that every man who was ever supposed to love you has walked out of your life. Your dad, Logan, Lance, and your grandpa when he died. But I’m not like that. I’m loyal and steadfast, or at least I’d like to think I am.”
Makeup smeared across her cheeks, and a stray hair stuck to her face. “You are loyal and steadfast. You’re an amazing man, Brodie Brenneman. That’s why I thought you deserved so much better than the daughter of a woman who can’t stay married and is a lousy mom as well.”
“I think I’m old enough to be able to determine who I would like to spend the rest of my life with.”
“I wasn’t saying that. I know you’re wise and—I’m sure you prayed before proposing. Despite my ridiculous actions, I care about you greatly, Brodie.”
“As a friend.”
“Yes, as a friend.”
A slam of anger pitted itself in Brodie’s stomach. This conversation wasn’t going anywhere. At least they were still friends. Was he hoping she’d change her mind after their timeat Jimmy’s? After the harrowing experiences she’d faced? After he reassured her, he was there for her? Cared for her? “I wanted more than friendship, Londyn, and I can’t force you to love me.”
She straightened in the seat and pointed at him. “Well, for one, you know how strong-willed I am, so I don’t think anyone can force me to love them or to do anything. And two, I pretty much do love you.”
