Spark of Hope (MacKenny Brothers #3) - Kathleen Kelly Page 0,46
She’ll need to take it easy for the next little while. Those ribs are going to be uncomfortable, and if she’s in pain, an ice pack will help.”
“Thanks, doc.”
“You know where to find me if you need me.”
He nods once and leaves. The doctor is a good man. He doesn’t ask questions unless it’s related to an injury, and he knows how to keep his mouth shut.
My cell phone begins to ring. The caller is Annie Farrow.
“Hey, Annie. I’ve been meaning to call.”
“Lola is here. She’s asleep on my sofa. You best come and get her.”
“Annie, I love you.”
Her sweet laughter trickles down the line. “Smooth talker, so like your Da. Now, get your butt over here.”
Annie ends the call, and I’m headed for the door. Sean is coming in as I’m heading out.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to Annie’s. Watch the kid.”
“Who’s going to look after you?”
“I’ll be fine.”
Cutter is still on his bike and stares at Sean. “I’ll go with him.”
Not wanting to argue with either of them, I say nothing.
Annie must have heard us pull up as she has her front door open. I go to speak as I climb stairs, but she holds a finger up to her lips.
“Shh, she’s still asleep,” whispers Annie.
Cutter is right behind me. Annie points to Lola, and then she grabs Cutter’s hand and pulls him toward her kitchen, leaving me alone with Lola.
In sleep, like her son, she looks younger and much more peaceful. I brush the hair off her face, and she slowly opens her eyes.
“Hey, you.”
“Shit! Did Annie call you?”
“Yeah. What were you thinking?”
“I was thinking you’d packed up all my stuff. I didn’t tell you about Logan and my family…” her words trail off.
Slowly, I exhale and run a hand over my face. Sinking into Annie’s sofa, I tilt my head up and stare at the ceiling. “I understand why you’d assume I wanted you gone.” Turning my head, I peer into her eyes. “It wasn’t my intent. You and Logan need a home. I have one. I was going to move us to Da’s house.”
A tear runs down Lola’s face. “Y-You weren’t getting rid of me?”
“No, love.”
Lola’s face crumples as a sob breaks out of her. As gently as I can, I drag her onto my lap and embrace her.
Whispering, I say, “No more secrets. I always thought you and I had an understanding, but Lola, you’ve been keeping some pretty big secrets from me.” Lola nods and pushes her hair out of her face so she can look at me. “I can’t have that. Not from you. I love you, Lola, but you lie to me again or keep things from me, and we’re done. Understood?”
Lola sniffles and wipes her nose on her good hand. The sobbing stops, but the tears keep coming. She stares me in the eyes and nods.
“Is there more?” I ask.
Lola throws her head back and looks up at the ceiling. “No. Yes.” Her eyes find mine. “Jesus, Kyle, I don’t know.”
Cupping her face, I bring her forehead to mine. “It’s okay, Lola. We’ll find our way.”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
Her bottom lip quivers, and she drops her gaze from mine. “I’m not worth it. I never was.”
I bark out a mirthless laugh causing Lola to look at me. “You belong to me. I decide what’s important to me.” I place a hand behind her neck. “You have a piece of me, Lola, one you can’t give back.” I place my other hand over her heart. “There’s nothing I won’t do for you. It’s been four years, love. Did you think I was only using you for a fuck?”
Lola shrugs.
“Your son does that. It’s fucking annoying.”
Lola nods, sits up straighter, and places her hand over my heart. “I’m sorry.”
I smile at her. “And that’s the first step.”
Lola smiles back at me and puts her lips to mine. The kiss is soft, feather-light, and it’s fleeting. Without thinking, I embrace her to deepen it, but she gasps in pain.
“Shit, sorry. I’ve missed you.”
Again, her face twists into a mask of sorrow, and more tears fall.
“Hush, let’s get you to Da’s. Have you settle, and I’ll go and get Logan. We’ll work this out, together, as a family.”
The tears come hard and fast, and as gently as I can, I hold her until she goes quiet and can’t cry anymore.
With red-rimmed eyes, Lola whispers, “You never wanted a child. You never wanted to claim me. You like your life as it is… uncomplicated.”
“I did.” Putting a