she could safely navigate the treacherous terrain with her bad ankle. She held on tightly to the arm he offered and walked slowly toward the front door.
They removed their shoes inside the door. Landon hung their coats and immediately went to tend to the fire.
Amanda sat on the sofa and removed her sock to take a look at her ankle, which was far more swollen than it had been earlier. It was also badly bruised, from her ankle to her toes. Ugh.
“That looks painful,” Landon said.
“It doesn’t feel good.”
“I’ll get you some ice.” He went into the kitchen, grabbed the ice pack she’d been using from the freezer and returned with that and a chilled glass of the Chardonnay she enjoyed.
“Thank you,” she said, taking the wineglass from him.
“Welcome.” He positioned a sofa pillow on the table for her foot and placed the ice pack over her ankle. “Does that feel okay?”
“Feels good.”
“Need anything else?”
“Nope. I’m good.”
He went back to the kitchen, got a beer from the fridge and came to sit next to her on the sofa, turning so he was facing her. “I’m sorry about the shitshow that tonight turned into.”
She blinked and gave him a blank look. “What happened?”
Sighing, he said, “You know what I mean. Don’t make me say it.”
“Okay, I won’t.”
He reached for her hand and linked his fingers with hers. “I’m sorry you were sad at Dani’s.”
“It happens sometimes. I, um…” She took a drink of wine and glanced at him, trying to find the courage to tell him something she rarely told anyone. “When I was seventeen, I had a baby.”
“Oh. Wow.”
“I gave her up for adoption because I was too young to care for her properly. My mom had me when she was almost forty, and after having essentially raised two families, because my siblings were so much older than me. She said she didn’t have it in her to do it again.”
“What about the father?”
“He was a one-time mistake at a teenage party at a time when all my friends were losing their virginities. I was under the mistaken belief that I wouldn’t be ‘cool’ if I held on to mine. It was the stupidest thing I’ve ever done, and the result was just… It was devastating.”
“I’m so sorry that happened to you.”
“Thanks.” She wiped away tears that materialized any time she thought about that time in her life. “Holding Savannah was wonderful, but it was also a reminder of that time. I’m just a mixed-up emotional mess since the fire reminded me of all the things I’ve failed to do because I’ve been so busy avoiding anything that could ever hurt me like that did.”
“That’s understandable.”
“Maybe,” she said, shrugging. “But it’s no way to live. Thus my desire to go a little wild and shake things up.”
“Do you know anything about her or her life?”
“I get pictures once a year. She’s a beautiful twelve-year-old named Stella, with my hair and her father’s green eyes. She’s into soccer and dance and lost her adoptive father to a heart attack when she was seven. They’ve moved around a lot, but overall, she seems to have a good life in Albany, New York. It helps me to know she’s happy, and at some point, when she’s ready, her mother knows I’d welcome hearing from her.”
“I’m so glad you’re able to know how she is.”
“Me, too. Adoption has come a long way from the days when it was locked down and mothers could never know anything about the babies they gave up.”
“It’s better this way. For everyone.”
“I agree.”
“I really appreciate you telling me. I know it’s probably not something you tell just anyone, and I’m honored you told me.”
“I’m glad you know. If you’re wondering why I’m such a weirdo, that might give you some insight.”
“I don't think you’re a weirdo. Not at all.”
“I’m well aware of the fact that I can be difficult to get to know. I’m far more cautious than I used to be.”
“Believe it or not, I understand that better than you might think. I want to tell you something about me now. Something no one but Lucas knows.”
“Before you say anything, Landon, I just want to say… You don’t have to. Just because I told you about my daughter doesn’t mean you have to bare your soul. You don’t owe me anything. The time we’ve had together has been fun, and I’ve enjoyed it very much. But it doesn’t have to be more than that, if you don’t want