Page 76 of Painted in Love

Susan feathered the hair back from Saskia’s face. “I only say what I believe, my dear.”

That made Susan’s words all the more heartwarming and accepting.

Chapter Twenty-Five

The moment Susan Spencer whisked Saskia away, Clay found himself drawn into the fun, laughter, and games with the kids out on the tiled patio, which was warm with spring sunshine.

Laughing, he remarked to Ari Tremont, “I can’t believe how fast these babies crawl.”

Ari grabbed Penelope before she disappeared off the patio. “I said I’d never have a baby gate. But I was so wrong. You have to keep them corralled. At least in the classroom, you can close the door.” She was a kindergarten teacher, and he knew she had to be excellent at it.

It struck him that it had been more than half an hour since he’d last seen Saskia with Susan, who was now speaking with Fernsby.

He went in search of the woman he adored and found her on a bench out in the resort’s garden. Sitting beside her, he draped his arm over her shoulders. “Hey babe, why are you out here all alone?”

She closed her eyes, breathed in deeply, then looked at him. “Spending time with your family is amazing. You’re all so loving and supportive.” She hooked a thumb over her shoulder at the patio crowded with Harringtons and Mavericks “You’re all one big, beautiful, happy, loving family.”

He stroked her hair. “Yeah, we are.”

She sighed. “It makes me think more about my parents.”

Guilt wormed through him. Maybe it had been too soon to bring her here after what happened yesterday. His heart hurt for her. For the way her parents had shown up again like ticks, trying to burrow back into her life. “What are you thinking?”

He rubbed her shoulder, letting her know he was here no matter what.

“Today, I’ve seen what real family love is like, how Susan and Bob Spencer are beacons of light for everyone. My parents made me feel like they owned my talent because they allowed me to be born. Then they kicked me out because I wanted to paint my way instead of theirs.” She shuddered.

He dropped a kiss on her hair, even as his heart ached for her.

She gazed up at him, her eyes shiny with tears, but something more too. With strength and resolve. “Yesterday, when my father asked only about the money I made, all I wanted to do was scream at them both.” She sighed. “But I’ve had time to think about it. Should I go see them at their hotel? Should I write them a letter telling them how I feel? Should I try to fix things with them? This afternoon, being around your wonderful family, I find I don’t want to hate them anymore. I don’t even want to be angry with them. They are who they are, and they’ll never change. I can accept that. I think I can even forgive them.”

He leaned his forehead against hers. “I know you can. You’re the strongest person I know.”

She pulled back far enough to meet his eyes. “I can forgive.” She pursed her lips. “But what I’ve decided is that I can’t ever be a part of that kind of family again. I have to let them go. They’re toxic. I don’t want that in my life. Forgiving them, then letting them go is the best thing for me.” Though tears glittered in her eyes, she didn’t let them stop her.

He was so damned proud of her. “I fully support your decision. I wish more than anything they could see how amazing you are. But they’ll never see past their own egos. None of us need people like that in our lives.”

She dipped her head, nodded.

He dropped a kiss on her beautiful lips. “If you ever change your mind and want to see them, I’ll be by your side every second. Whatever you need.”

She wrapped her arms around him, her voice a choked whisper. “All I need is to be free. All I want is to love you and to make your family my family.”

He held her tightly enough to show her he would never let her go. “I love you. Now and always.”

They returned just in time for cake.

Saskia had made her momentous decision. Truly, she was free. Free to love Clay, to find happiness, to throw her all into her art.

With the children seated at the birthday table with balloons tied to each chair, Fernsby and Gabby Harrington, Clay’s youngest sister, carried out trays of cakes. Fernsby claimed the honor of setting one small cake in front of Savannah and another for Keegan.

Evan Collins, tall and handsome like all the Mavericks, ran a hand through his tawny hair as he leaned over his twins. “They each get their own cake?” He looked at Fernsby his gaze wide-eyed—and terrified?—behind his glasses.

Fernsby, being himself, which Saskia was getting used to, drawled, “It’s a smash cake, sir.”

Evan reared back as the rest of the adults stepped forward to listen. “What the heck is a smash cake?”

Fernsby seemed to smile, barely. Then he pointed as Keegan smashed his little fist into his cake and shoveled chocolate into his mouth.

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