Page 86 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

“Jesus.” I pull her into me and hold her.

Her body shakes and she sniffs.

Cupping her small face in my hands, I sweep away her tears with my thumbs.

“Sometimes I feel as if I don’t deserve to be happy. Like it’s my penance.”

I press a kiss to her forehead. “I get that. Believe me, I do.”

She has no idea how much her words mirror my own thoughts some days. Deep down I blame myself for Skylah’s disappearance, her probable death. If my mother hadn’t had me, there would’ve been no way of him finding her, or us. She could have travelled anywhere, but it seems she wanted to remain close to me.

I take her hands and link our fingers. “Your family would want you to be happy.”

“I know.” She bows her head and rubs her hands over her rounded belly. “And I need to move on, I do. It’s not healthy for the baby for me to continue to harbour these feelings. Some days I’m fine, others I’m not. It’s hard.”

“I know all about hard.” This is an opportunity to help, and I’m gonna grab it with both hands.

Her watery gaze searches my face.

“Anythin’ I can do to help, just ask.”

“You’re a good man, Jericho McAllister. A good man.”

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