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He jerked backward. “What?”
“You heard me correctly.” She swiped at the tear on her face. “He wants to sign his rights over so that he can raise a new baby with his wife.”
“The woman he cheated on you with?”
She nodded.
He prayed for wisdom. “Are you still in love with him?”
“No.” Bebe shook her head vehemently. “I hate how he’s ignored Hope. I hate that he cheated on me. I absolutely donotwant him back. But I don’t know how I can look my daughter in the face and tell her I agreed to let her dad escape responsibility.”
“I’m sure you prayed about it?”
She nodded.
“Then all you can do is let God lead you. You can’t make him be a parent, even if that’s exactly what he is.”
“I just don’t know how I could’ve been so wrong about him. It makes me question everything.”
“Like us?” he asked.
“Yes,” she whispered.
He tipped her chin up. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“But you are. You have to go back to Texas eventually.”
“True, but I’ll be back.” Because he wanted her in his life for the everyday activities like shopping and to be there to show Hope that she wasn’t fatherless. Whether that meant Bebe allowed him to step into that role or he continued to point her to their Heavenly Father. Regardless, he knew without a doubt that Bebe Gordon held his heart. “I’m not leaving us. But I do have a home there I just can’t abandon.”
“I know, Jahleel.” Her honeyed voice seemed to caress him.
“Then trust me when I say I’ll be back. I’m not leaving never to return. I just have to make sure my next steps lead me to a secure job.”
She gasped. “You’re not going back to the Stars?”
“No.” He slid his hands into his pockets, wishing the heartache away.
Her mouth dropped open. “But youlovefootball.”
“Ryan doesn’t believe the knee will allow me to fulfill my contract. And now, I have other priorities. Much prettier ones.” He winked.
“Then what next?”
“Time will tell.”
She studied him, then nodded.
“What’s next on the list, boss?” He pushed the cart, thankful it could take his full weight, since his cane rested inside it.
“Door prizes.”
“All right.”
As she led the way once more, Jahleel sent a prayer upward.
Lord, please help her trust that I’m not leaving her. Help her know that I want to be with herand that nothing will change that.
Then tell her you love her.
