Page 165 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Pops sat down in the recliner. “I tried to tell you,” he began, “but you wouldn’t listen.”

“You should’ve told me earlier.”

“Earlier?” Pops chuckled dryly. “I couldn’t even get you to come home for a visit, how was I supposed to tell you that?”

“You could’ve called.”

Pops’ eyebrow shot up. “And have you self-destruct?”

He rocked back. “I hardly think I’d self-destruct,” he muttered.

“Look, it’s been hard enough for you to come to terms with Lou Ella being put in the care center.” He paused. “I didn’t want to add insult to injury.”

Acid rose in his throat. “You should’ve told me.” He shot Pops a condemning look.

“I’m not the enemy here, son.” Tears gathered in his eyes. “You don’t think it’s been hard for me? To sit by helplessly, watching my sweetheart deteriorate? First her mind? Then her body? I love her with all my heart.”

“I love her too.” A sob rose in Corbin’s chest. “I know it’s not your fault. It’s my fault. I couldn’t come back … couldn’t face it.” This time, he was unable to stop the tears.

“It’s nobody’s fault.” Pops was at his side in two steps. He sat down and put his arms around Corbin, letting the grief flow out.

Delaney pulled her knees into her chest and wrapped her arms around them, staring unseeingly ahead. Her life was a tangled mess. Maybe she’d overreacted. But watching Corbin strike the chopping block over and over, his face twisted in rage, had jolted her to the core. How many times had she seen that same ruthless look on Tuck’s face before he vented his anger on her? She shuddered, her stomach churning. Would she ever be whole again? Free from the fear? While her rational mind knew that it wasn’t fair to project Tuck’s sins on Corbin, her feelings screamed otherwise.

A knock sounded at the door.

“Go away,” she said reflexively. She’d have to face Corbin sooner or later, figure out if her reaction to his anger was valid or not. But for now, she just wanted to be left alone.

Another knock.

She gritted her teeth. “I said go away!” Why couldn’t Corbin allow her some time to sort this through?

“It’s Wallace.”

She jerked, heat stinging her cheeks. “Oh, sorry.” Hastily, she wiped her tears with her palms.

“Can I come in?”

She didn’t want to see anyone right now, not even Wallace. But she didn’t want to be rude. She blew out a long breath. “Sure.”

As he came in, she smoothed down her shirt and sat up, trying not to dwell on how horrible she must look.

Wallace sat down on the edge of the bed.

She frowned. “Did Corbin send you in here to talk to me?” It wasn’t right for Corbin to make his grandfather do his dirty work. If Corbin wanted to talk to her, he needed to face her himself.

“No, he doesn’t even realize I’m in here.”

“Really?” She eyed him to see if he was telling the truth.

“Corbin went out.”

She stiffened. “Where?”

“To grab a pizza for dinner.” He paused. “And I suspect to apologize to Addie for the way he reacted to Lou Ella’s cancer.”

“Oh.” At least Corbin had the decency to apologize for being wrong. This made her feel a little better about him, and somewhat guilty for jumping the gun.

Wallace gave her a tentative look. “Corbin told me what happened with the chopping block.”

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