Page 77 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
‘Gina worked in her father’s real estate business while I went to college and the police academy. She never asked why I didn’t propose, but something kept holding me back until after I graduated and had my badge.’His family wouldn’t admit to pressuring him but he’d felt it anyway, plus even more from Gina’s parents. Tom tried to explain to Fee how it’d been.
‘What did your grandmother think?’
Tom cracked a smile. ‘She was the only one who questioned whether I loved Gina the right way. Being Mee Maw she dragged me to one side in the middle of our engagement party.’
‘Great timing.’
‘Oh, yeah. She asked me if I’d met Gina then instead of years earlier would I have asked her out and considered building a future with her. I lied and said yes, but she knew the truth.’
‘She would.’ Fee’s wry comment made him laugh. ‘And then the wedding treadmill started.’
Tom nodded. ‘It sweeps you along. Soon I had a beautiful woman as my wife and a job I loved. Lifewas good.’
‘Did you make her happy?’ Fee wasn’t certain how she hoped he would answer.
‘I think so at first, but she needed me to be everything for her and… I let her down. She resented the fact I was ambitious because it took me away from her and she was lonely. We argued a lot and I took on more overtime to avoid going home.’ Tom’s pain resonated between them.
‘If GaryHiggins hadn’t come along what do think would’ve happened to you both?’
Tom flinched at her bluntness. Fee knew she’d asked the question he’d let destroy him for the last sixteen years.
‘I don’t know. But I hate the fact I got my freedom at the cost of Gina’s life.’
Fee wrapped her arms around him. ‘It didn’t free you though, did it?’ He shook his head and shudders ranthrough his body. ‘You need to let go. Nothing can change what happened. The only way any of us survives is to learn from our mistakes and move on.’
He eased away and stared down at her, his deep brown eyes full of love. ‘I’m not the only one beating themselves up here. I’m ready to make a fresh start if you are too.’
Fee’s heart raced. What exactly was he saying?
