Floored - Karla Sorensen Page 0,94

inflicted in turn. You've recognized that Lia's absence, her ability to walk away for the health and well-being of your child and your ability to parent that child in a healthy way, is a boundary she needed to erect in order for you to seek that change."

My head dropped back on the driver's seat, something unlocking in my chest. A pressure eased that I hadn't even been aware of, even though I'd probably been carrying it around for half my life.

"I know. But it's still not a choice I would've made."

"No, but think about what you can choose within this situation."

I rubbed my forehead.

"Jude," he continued, "you can't force your parents to change any more than Lia can force you to change. You can choose to work on these things. So can they. It's all connected. But if your parents are willing to try, then there's hope. Maybe that's the reason Lia and this child are in your life."

His words, even though they were freeing, unraveled a domino effect inside me. I missed her so bloody much and seeing her was just out of reach. My flight for Seattle left the next morning, and this stop was something I had to do before I attempted anything else with Lia.

Terror and hope were so inextricably entwined, and I'd never been so fully aware of it until I was on the cusp of everything I wanted.

A life with Lia, if she'd still have me, gave me so much hope, but I couldn't really achieve it until I faced this monster, one that was partially of my own creation.

"I can do this," I said quietly.

"You are doing this," he affirmed.

"Thank you, Kendrick." I grinned even though he couldn't see me. "You're not so bad."

"High praise indeed. Send me an email if you need to schedule a session while you're in Seattle. We could do a virtual appointment."

"I will."

We disconnected the call, and even though I needed to put the car in drive and finish the rest of the five-minute drive to the farm, where my parents were expecting me, I decided to take a moment longer in the still and calm.

Glancing down at the passenger seat, I picked up the small sheep, dingy with age. But still, it was soft in my hand, and I ran my thumb over the face, imagining it in the small, uncoordinated hands of a child with Lia's eyes and maybe my smile.

The sheep was set carefully on the dashboard of my car, a symbol guiding me forward to a place where hopefully I would find a small measure of peace in my past and establish a foothold to the future I wanted.

With a deep breath, I eased the car into drive and moved forward.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Jude

Eyes gritty and back sore from a long day spent traveling, London to Chicago, where I spent a sleepless night waiting for the first flight out to Seattle, I wasn't feeling my best as I approached the arrivals area at Sea-Tac airport. There would only be one person waiting for me there, and it was up in the air whether he'd greet me with polite reserve, a warm welcome, or a kick to the bollocks.

Were I in his position, it'd probably be the latter.

I didn't have much in the way of luggage, as three large boxes of my belongings were being shipped by Rebecca, who'd made me swear a blood oath that I'd do a FaceTime with her when the baby was born. And I felt like that was a good thing when I turned the corner and saw Logan Ward for the first time.

He was tall—taller than me—and solid muscle, arms crossed forbiddingly over his massive chest. His eyes were shaded, a Washington hat pulled low over his forehead. I found myself swallowing heavily as I approached. We were interrupted briefly, a pause button on our little showdown, when a small boy approached him.

Logan softened immediately, the change in him so profound that I blinked. He crouched down with a smile and shook the boy’s hand after they exchanged brief, quiet conversation, then allowed a picture when the boy's mother asked for it. The whole thing lasted only a minute, just a shade more, but it established an immediate kinship.

His grin was wry as he stood back up. "Never know when that'll happen, do we?"

"We don't." I held out my hand, and immediately, he took it. His grip was firm but not overbearing, and I breathed just a tad easier that he'd