Page 25 of The Bride's Desire

“She might have been, but what if I killed any feelings she had for me?”

“You’ll fix it…”

They were interrupted when someone knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Joe yelled. He tensed when Naomi walked in and wouldn’t look at either one of them.

“What do you need, Sweetheart.” He felt like an idiot when she flinched.

“I’m ready.”

He barely heard her. His brows snapped together. “For what?”

“To go.”

It felt like his body shut down, and the room spun. He couldn’t let her go. She was the only one he’d ever love. God, what if the damage he’d done was worse than he thought? He wouldn’t be able to deal with it, and he knew he’d feel the pain for the rest of his life.

Chapter Fifteen

Naomi fidgeted as she stood by the door. “I’m ready for your mother to take me to town. That’s why she’s here, isn’t it?”

She heard movement but couldn’t look up because she was afraid she’d start crying when she looked at his face. The thought that she’d find relief would send her over.

“Look at me,” he said.

She shook her head.

“Why? Do you hate me that much?”

Her head jerked up, and her mouth fell open. “What? No! It’s just that it will hurt to see your expression.”

He looked confused. “What expression?”

“Relief.”

“You think I’m relieved that you’re leaving?” The tone of his voice deepened.

Her eyes raced to the woman in the chair and back to him, and she shrugged. “Yes.”

Joe looked at his mother. “How am I supposed to fix this?”

His mother sighed. “Hello, Naomi. I know we haven’t really met. My name is Carolyn.”

Naomi swallowed. She seemed so nice, and she wished she could have a chance to get to know her better, but it wasn’t going to happen.

“Joe and I were talking about you.”

“I figured. I heard him yelling.”

Carolyn stood and walked to her. Naomi tried not to flinch when she grasped her shoulders. “There has been a lot of miscommunication between the two of you.”

Naomi was confused. “How?”

“Let me ask you a question. You think he doesn’t want you and actually wants you to leave. Right?”

Naomi nodded.

“I’m telling you right now that he wants you to stay and he cares about you very much.”

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