Page 26 of Love, Always and Forever
She pointed to a bag sitting on the hood of his car. “It should be enough for a couple of dinners.”
He managed a small smile. “Thanks. I would’ve hated to miss out on one of your pot roasts.”
Marlene took a half-step in his direction. “Can I hug you?”
It broke his heart that she even had to ask. “Sure thing.”
For the second time in one day, she surrounded him with her strength and scent. Both went a long way toward soothing his heart. “I love you, Mom.”
She cupped his cheek with her warm hand. “I love you, too, Misha. Now go home and eat that food before it gets cold. Then get some sleep, but not before you call me.”
So Jack had delivered Mikhail’s message as promised.
“I will.”
He put his bag of goodies in the passenger seat and drove away. He risked a glance in the rearview mirror and shook his head. Just as he feared. Most of the family had joined Marlene on the front porch and were watching as he approached the corner at the end of the street. Tino and Jack had flanked their mother, offering her what comfort they could. He was okay until she swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. God, he hated that he’d hurt her.
He gunned the engine to put more distance between himself and his family while regret and guilt marched in lockstep through his head and heart. Slamming his fist down on the steering wheel, he let loose with a string of curse words but ran out of breath long before he ran out of anger.
Traffic was heavy enough that he needed to get his head back in the game, but damn, damn, double damn, he hated feeling like this.
