Page 119 of Falling for Brody

"Whatever."

Rhea looked down at her son and lifted her hand to wipe away a tear.

"All I want to do is hold onto Chip and never let go."

There was a knock at the door and Rhea started to sit up. "There might be news about Bea. Can you..." She looked at Brody, grateful for his presence. "Can you answer the door?"

"Yeah, sure." He stood up and leaned in to place a kiss on her forehead. She tried not to feel like she should send him away.

Was she just so weak and selfish that she wanted him there.

"Mom, Aunt Helene? Maybe this isn't the right time."

Rhea tensed when she heard Louise's voice.

She didn't want to talk to Louise, especially with Brody in the house, but she didn't want to be rude.

Helene came first, urging her to stay where she was, telling her, "Never wake them when they're sleeping if you can help it." She gestured at her sister-in-law. "We wanted to come and make sure that you and Chip were okay."

Rhea nodded and smiled. "I'm okay now that he's back with me. I'm waiting for news about Bea."

Helene agreed. "Let us know when you can."

"All I know," Rhea told them, "is that she was flown to a level one trauma center in Richmond. Internal bleeding. They think she was kicked when she was trying to keep Chip safe."

Helene touched her arm. "We'll add her to our prayers."

Rhea nodded. "Thank you."

Louise was standing back, hovering but not approaching.

"Mom?"

Brody turned to look at her.

"Is something wrong?"

Rhea could tell by Helene's expression that she knew about the conversation she'd had with Louise.

Louise hesitated, looking between her and her son. "I want to apologize."

Rhea didn't really react, but Brody did.

"Apologize for what?"

Louise sat down beside her son and reached for his hand.

As they sat there in their little cluster, Louise told Brody about the conversation that she'd had with Rhea.

Brody stared at his mother as if he didn't recognize her. "Why?"

He shook his head and leaned in, looking her straight in her eyes. "Why would you do that?"

"I was wrong, Brody. Please. Please accept my apology."

He sat back, folding his arms across his chest. "You shouldn't be asking me, mom. You should apologize to Rhea. I love her. And I hope that she'll love me when it's the right time. And Chip? I love him with everything I am. Today? In the woods? If he'd been hurt or taken away from us? I don't think I could have recovered from that."

Brody looked at Rhea and she smiled.

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