Page 87 of Savage

“Yeah, I’m sure.” My eyes drifted to the ground as I added,“I’m sure Dad will be thrilled.”

“Your dad just wants you to be happy.”

“Yeah, that’s what I’d always thought until he broke my heart and then did nothing to help fix it.” I shrugged as I told her, “He’s my dad. I will always love him, but I’m not sure I will ever forgive him.”

“And that’s okay. You don’t have to forgive him, but I hope, in time, you will.”

“I do, too,” Dad whispered from the doorway.

“Dad,” I gasped. “I didn’t realize you were here.”

“I wasn’t. I just came back to grab my laptop. I left it here by mistake.”

I didn’t respond.

I couldn’t.

I didn’t know what to say to him.

He stepped into the kitchen, his eyes on mine as he said, “I really do hope that one day you will be able to forgive me, sweetheart. I love you so much, and I can’t bear the thought of losing you. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“You’re not going to loseme, Dad. You did lose my trust, and I’m not sure that you will ever get it back.”

“That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop trying. I’ll do whatever I have to do, and not just for you and Dalton, but for your mother, too.” He walked over to me and gave me a kiss on my forehead. “I’ve got to get to work. I hope I’ll be seeing you again soon.”

He kissed my mother, and after a quick word with Dalton, he was gone. I felt indifferent about his departure, and I could tell from my mother’s expression that she felt the same way, which led me to ask, “Is everything okay with you two?”

“No, it’s not, but that’s nothing for you to worry about.”

“But I do worry. I don’t want what happened with me and Dad to affect you two.”

“How can it not? He lied to us both. But we will get through this. We always do.” She reached over and patted my hand. “Now stop fretting over your father and me and go see about Malcomb.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, now skedaddle.”

“Okay, okay.” We both stood, and I gave Mom a big hug. “Thanks, Mom. You’re the best.”

“Anytime, sweet girl.”

She helped me get Dalton in the car, then stood at the end of the driveway and waved as I backed out into the street. It was crazy how a brief conversation with my mother could put everything into perspective, but that’s exactly what it had done. I knew I wanted a life with Malcomb, and I wasn’t going to wait another second to have it.

He said he would be waiting for us, but when we pulled up to his house, I wasn’t sure if he was even home. There was no sign of his truck or his bike, but I took a chance and got Dalton and our bag from the car. I was about to start up the steps when the front door opened, and Malcomb stepped out. “You came.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry about earlier. I just needed a minute to think.”

“And you’re good now?”

“I am.” I smiled as I told him, “We’re a river.”

“Come again?”

“We’re like a river.” I walked up the steps and smiled. “It can take a little time, but we always find our way home.”

“It’s a little philosophical, but I like it.” He slipped his arms around my waist and pulled me close. “Welcome home, baby.”

He leaned down and kissed me, and for the first time in a very long time, I knew that everything was going to be okay. Dalton and I were home, and that was where we were going to stay.

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