Page 17 of When You Were Mine

No. I want Elzy.

My Calamity Jane.

Her face popped up in his mind. Not the professional headshot she used on her website—that wasn’t his sweetheart. But the way she’d looked when they’d exchanged vows in that Las Vegas chapel.

God, she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

And he’d ruined it.

Fucked it all up.

Sentenced himself to a life without love, passion… or true happiness.

So, yeah, he saw Darby’s point.

“Trevor Montgomery?” Her eyes glittered with mischief. “Will you marry me and be my plus one for the rest of my life?”

Startled, he could only let out a laugh. “You’re giving me a lot to think about over the holidays.”

“Well, at least it’s not a no, right?” Her gaze lingered, searching, no doubt, for a window of hope he couldn’t give. Darby was determined. She got what she wanted.

Maybe she’d get her wish with him.

“It’s not a no.” He kissed her cheek. “Safe travels.”

As he turned to walk out of the terminal, he got a text from his son.

Cole: Well, merry fucking Christmas. All four girls are puking their guts out.

Trevor: Flu?

Cole: Yeah. So much for all the fun shit Hailey had planned. Looks like we’re just going to hang out around the house.

The jolt that went through his body surprised him. Had he just been kicked out forChristmas?

His daughter-in-law had grown up as an only child, so raising four kids had to be overwhelming for her. She had sick kids. It was a lot. He got it. He understood.

But Christmas?

He had only himself to blame. He knew that. Because he’d let his son be raised by nannies. Of course, he was a guest in Cole’s house.

And, so, maybe Darby’s invitation into her world would give him a chance to be part of something, give him a purpose. To belong.

Because Jessica Elsworth is not coming back.

And your son will never be close to you because you didn’t form that bond when he was a child.

But Darby wants to give you companionship for the rest of your life.

His daughter-in-law’s voice slipped into his thoughts.

I can’t handle one more person in this house.

An urgency shot through him, and he turned around, darting between families, travelers, and airline employees to get to his friend.

“Darby,” he called. “Darby!”

She turned around, concerned.

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