Page 108

“I didn’t know.”

She stared at him as if he were crazy. “You would never leave Harrison in a dangerous situation. No rational person would consider it. He’s your son, and you would die for him. None of this is your fault. She’s a sick, sick woman, and I’m sorry you didn’t press charges.”

“Me, too. But he didn’t want to go through it.”

“I understand that, but it leaves me with a lot of rage and nowhere to put it.” She gave him a faint smile. “Sorry. Not your problem. I’m sure you felt the same, but ten times worse.”

“It was a tough time.”

“I hate her.”

He smiled. “That’s my Reggie.”

“I mean it.”

“I know you do.”

She looked fierce and determined, but also frustrated. None of that surprised him. He should have known she would react like this. His worry had been silly and a waste of time.

“She’s the reason you don’t want to get involved,” she said slowly. “You fell in love with Lori, and she turned out to be a monster, so now you can’t trust yourself.”

“I didn’t love her,” he admitted. “I thought Harrison needed a mother, and she was a likely candidate.” He’d enjoyed her company and had cared about her, but his feelings hadn’t been deeper than that.

“Dumb reason to get married,” she told him. “Harrison is thriving. You don’t need to create a family for him. He has one already. Not just with you and Judy but in the town. This isn’t a community that turns its back on people.” She paused. “Okay, you weren’t living here then, but I’m sure you had a circle of friends who were like family to Harrison.”

Which was exactly what Dr. Nina had told him.

“I know that now,” he said.

“But you’re still not willing to trust.” She held up a hand. “I get it. I really do. I don’t know that I’d trust anyone after that. Does Dena know?”

He nodded. “I told her at the beginning of the school year, in case something happened.”

“She hasn’t said anything to me, and I won’t say anything to anyone, either.” She drew in a breath. “I just want to go hug him and never let go, and I want to find Lori and bitch-slap her.” She smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry I can’t do more than that. I’m not good at violence.” She brightened. “If Belle continues to grow a little attitude, I could train her to growl on command. That would be scary.”

Deep in his chest, a little of the guilt and fury broke free and evaporated in the warmth of her caring. Reggie had her flaws, but lack of loyalty and heart wasn’t on the list. He remembered how she’d stood by him when her parents and her friends had questioned her willingness to go out with a guy like him. She’d agreed to follow the rules her parents had set in place, but had refused to not see him based on rumors and a family history.

“You’re a good friend,” he told her.

“You’re a good dad. I know you doubt yourself because of what happened, but we’re not responsible for other people’s sicknesses. That’s on them.”

“I lie awake at night and wonder if I missed a sign somewhere.”

“Unless she had one on the wall that said ‘hey, I lock kids in the closet,’ then you didn’t. Harrison has healed. He’s brave and strong. Trust that and trust yourself.”

Without thinking, he stood and pulled her to her feet, then wrapped his arms around her. She hung on to him, burying her face in his shoulder.

They stayed that way a long time, with him breathing in the scent that was Reggie and feeling his anger fade as wanting took its place. How would grown-up Reggie be different from the teenager he’d known? What would be new and what would be the same?

Not that he was going to find out. While he was glad she knew what had happened, her knowing didn’t change his fundamental belief that he shouldn’t get involved with anyone.

He stepped back. “Thanks for listening,” he said. “I’m sorry all this got dumped on you with no warning.”

“Don’t be. I’m honored Harrison trusts me with something that important.” She stared into his eyes. “It’s okay to forgive yourself, Toby. You don’t have to forget, but you need to accept that you’ve learned from your mistakes and you’ll do better next time.”

“Always seeing the good in people?” he asked, his voice teasing. Keeping things light was a whole lot easier than dealing with the dark stuff.

“No. I see the good in good people, and that’s you.”