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“I’ll take you home, unless…you want to stay over.”
Merry kissed him, aware Jace was probably watching and eavesdropping.
“I’ve got to get Daisy from my parents, but just so you know, I’m getting closer to saying yes.”
Clark smiled. “Guess I’m doing something right then, huh?”
“Tens across the board.”
Chapter 30
Clark
Clark pulled into the Mistletoe Hotel Friday evening and parked, sitting in his Jeep for a few more moments with Merry in the passenger seat. He took her hand in his, drawing on her strength.
“You doing okay?” she asked.
“As well as can be expected.” He pulled the thick envelope out from under his seat, the weight of it matching the sinking sensation in his stomach. “It’s not all of my savings, but a large chunk of it.”
“You don’t have to give her anything. Or at least let me help. I can give her some—”
“No,” he said firmly, softening the blow with a kiss. “I love you and I want to share my life with you. But this is my past to deal with.” He brushed his lips against the knuckles of her hand. “I promise, any future problems will be one hundred percent a we thing.”
“I guess we better get this done and get me to the parade.”
Clark knew he had to do this, that it was the only way he could look his son in the eye. “I’m ready.”
They climbed out of his Jeep and joined hands when they reached the sidewalk, heading slowly across the cracked cement to room number 15. Clark knocked and waited with nervous energy coursing through him until he heard the door chain being removed.
Patrice opened the door, her gaze widening when she saw Merry by his side. “Hello. I didn’t know you were bringing someone.”
“I’m only here for moral support,” Merry said.
“Well, come in. We are watching cartoons while we wait on food to get here.”
Clark stepped over the threshold first, taking in the king bed and open suitcases in the corner. Jillian sat on the bed, watching cartoons on the TV, ignoring them.
“What’s your daughter’s name?” Merry asked.
“Jillian.”
“Would it be all right for me to say hi?”
Patrice glanced at her daughter hesitantly. “Sure, but she doesn’t really warm up to strangers.”
“That’s cool, this guy is the same way,” Merry joked, squeezing his hand. She released his hand and walked over to the edge of the bed, speaking softly to Jillian, who shot her a suspicious glance.
“Is she really that nice or is it an act?” Patrice asked in a low voice. Clark’s lips pressed in a thin line and she sighed. “Sorry, trusting people is not my strong suit.”
“We have that in common,” he said, holding out the envelope. “Here is what you asked for.”
Patrice took the manila envelope, turning it over in her hands. When she looked inside, her brow furrowed.
“What’s in here?”
“Picture copies I thought you might like to have. I know you have your reasons for the choices you’ve made, but he is a part of you.”
Patrice’s hands trembled as she pulled the pictures out, sliding one behind another as she looked through them.
