Page 75 of Loving at 40

Was she apprehensive of me as well? She’s protective of her mother, and rightfully so. She won’t forgive me as easily as Rosie, but she does press out of her chair and come to me.

“Hey,” I whisper, reaching out for her little wrist and wiggling her arm, waiting on her to come closer to me for a hug, if she wants one, if she’ll give me one.

“Where were you?”

My eyes glance up at Jenna, looking for guidance, but she gives me nothing. I’m on my own here. “I had a top secret job to do.”

“I told you he was a warrior,” Rosie interjects, and I chuckle softly, jostling her on my thigh while holding Talia’s arm.

“And I was called back to finish the job.”

Jenna’s breath catches, and she shakes her head. Her wide eyes warn me to keep it simple and brief, although I wasn’t about to spill the details of my assignment to two innocent minds.

“The job is over now.” I hold Jenna’s gaze. “And I’m free.”

“Were you in jail?” Talia asks, and I look at her.

“What? No?” I laugh a bit bitterly. “Why would you think that?”

“I heard Mr. Becker say you were a bad man, and he hoped you’d stay away.” Mason? That fucker.

“Talia, that isn’t what Mr. Becker meant, and no, Archer wasn’t in jail.” Jenna peers at me, tipping a brow for confirmation.

“I wasn’t in jail. Remember, I told you, I’m a good warrior.”

“Like Mulan,” Rosie murmurs in awe. I’m not certain who that is, so I suggest someone I think Talia might relate to.

“Like Elsa.”

“Elsa isn’t a warrior.” Rosie snorts, playing with the collar of my jacket.

“Yes, she is. She’s tough and strong. She knows her own mind and does things to protect her family.” I squeeze Talia’s wrist.

“She left her sister,” Rosie adds.

“And then she came back because she loved her. Because they are family.” I glance back at Jenna, who twists her lips and peers out the window behind the couch. The snow is falling again. The storm last night was hell driving through, but I was determined to get here. Determined to be here.

“Are you staying here?” Rosie asks, and Jenna looks at me once again.

Shifting my gaze back to Rosie, I address her. “I was hoping I could stay here, yes. Since you little monsters invaded my apartment, I thought I’d invade your house. It’s my turn.” I sneak a peek at Jenna before jostling Rosie. “Maybe I can have a sleepover again with Mommy.”

Jenna snorts, and the sound says snowball’s chance in hell. I won’t push, but I’m also not leaving. The door is closed on the past, and I’m only moving forward toward a future I never saw coming my way.

“Our couch pulls out to a bed. It’s really cool. Our grandma stays there when she visits,” Talia offers.

“Think Grandma will mind if I sleep in her spot?”

“No,” Rosie says, slipping her arms around my neck again. I close my eyes, soaking in her acceptance while tightening my hold on Talia. She takes another moment to watch me, but then she steps forward and wraps an arm around her sister and me, hugging us both. It’s more than I deserve and more than I expected, but it’s everything I’d hoped for. My eyes close a second, inhaling them both and the bayberry scent of their home. Wintery and comforting, the fragrance conjures images of Christmas trees, presents underneath one, and a future. Something I’ve never had.

“The question is if Mommy minds Archer sleeping in Grandma’s spot,” I ask.

Both Talia and Rosie twist in my arms to look at their mother, but they don’t move away from me, and I’m thankful for the support. I might be leaning on them more than the other way around, and I hold my breath, wondering what Jenna will decide.

30

[Jenna]

Motherfracker.