Page 22 of When You Were Mine

Which was saying something because Cole had a great group of childhood friends. “And you know you’re mine.”

“Yeah, I do. Which, I guess, is the point. You’re a terrific grandfather to my kids. They worship the ground you walk on. Dad, we’re good.I’mgood.”

Darby sidled up to him, putting her hand on his shoulder, urging him to turn around.

But he was still locked in this conversation with his son. Because he wanted to bring up the issue. He wanted to befamily—not a guest. Not someone they felt they had to entertain.

Why did your wife say she can’t handle one more person under her roof?

But now was not the time. Not when the girls were sick. Besides, it needed to be done face-to-face. “Yeah, okay. Keep me posted. If you need anything, I’m a plane ride away.”

Once he disconnected, doubt grabbed hold of him.

Because his instincts had always been wrong. Obviously, since that was how he’d lost the only woman he’d ever loved. And they’d been wrong every time he’d signed a new contract to do the next film instead of coming home to raise his son.

Maybe they were wrong now. Maybe he should’ve stayed in Calamity and brought over soup and ginger ale. Done a few loads of laundry.

“What’s wrong?” Darby’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

He pocketed his phone. “Just checking in on my family.”

“Yeah, I know, but you’re just standing there. Is everything okay? It’s just the flu, right?”

“Yep.”

“That really sucks. Bad timing for them. But really, thank God, we’re not there. I hate getting sick. EspeciallythisChristmas.” She got up on her toes and kissed his cheek. “Because I get to parade you around. No more pitying looks for the spinster Darby.” She shook her head. “I’ve won more NASCAR races than any other woman in history, and the only thing I get from my family is, ‘Did you know Emil is single again?’ Or, ‘I’ve got this guy you should meet. You’d love him.’” Her thumb rubbed off the lipstick imprint she’d left on his skin. “Well, not this year. Now, let’s see what my brother’s got cooking.”

But he couldn’t shake the feeling he’d gotten it wrong. And he very much wanted to get it right with his son. In fact, nothing was more important than knowing whether he’d made the right choice in leaving town for Christmas. “Go on without me. I’ll catch up with you in a minute.”

“What? No. My brother cooked for us.”

“I know. But I’m worried about my family.”

“They have the flu.” She studied him. “What’s really going on?”

They hadn’t known each other long enough to discuss regrets and life choices. It had only been a month. But theyweregetting married. Eventually, they’d have to unpack a lot of history, and he might as well start now. “I have some guilt about the way I raised him.”

“Oh, for God’s sake.” She gripped his elbows. “Look at me. Your son is happy, healthy, and living his best life. He was one of the greatest forwards in the NHL, and now, he’s married with four children… He’s good, Trev. Really good.”

“He is. But I caused him a lot of pain.”

“Well, that’s part of the human experience, isn’t it? We’re flawed, and because of that, sometimes, we hurt the people we love. But let me tell you something. You were allowed to have a big career. You were allowed to follow your dreams and live out your passions.”

Yeah, that was something else they hadn’t talked about. How do you explain that the field you spent thirty years in wasn’t your passion? How do you tell a woman who loves her career, who throws herself into life with suchzest, that you don’t feel passionate about anything?

Only someone. But at least, Darby knew about that. She understood she wasn’t the great love of his life.

“You didn’t abandon your son.” Darby’s confidence was empowering. “You didn’t ignore him. You provided him with the best of everything. And when you look at what he achieved in life, you can see you were a great role model. Now, let him deal with four puking children. Believe me, the last thing he wants right now is a heart-to-heart with his guilt-stricken dad.”

That was true.

“And we need to talk to our wedding planner, who’s only in town for a few days, so come on.” She sashayed away from him. Glancing over her shoulder, she said, “Show off your fiancée.”

As they headed out of their room, he asked, “We’re keeping this wedding small, right?”

“Oh God, no. It’s a first for both of us. Let’s make a splash.”

She was good for him. She yanked his mind out of the past. He smiled and reached for her hand. “Whatever you want.”

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