at the greenlight digital clock above the burners. “I told Amanda to come over for dinner since Dad’s gone, but I said to be here by five if she was coming.” Since it was five-thirty, Taylor was probably safe in assuming Amanda wasn’t going to be able to make it.
“Yeah, I understand. She’s got a lot she’s dealing with.” Roman’s tone had a bit of dejection to it.
Taylor turned with the hot pan in her hands. She softly set it on the stove top. “Are you okay? I never thought about what this would mean to you guys. I was just concerned about Amanda.” She hadn’t thought about what it would do to her husband to find out his father was an adulterer.
Was it enough to tear apart the man Roman was? Would he question his life choices or decide he wasn’t meant for family life?
A small sliver of fear worked its way through her chest. He’d walked away from Taylor once because of the things his father had said. Would Roman do it again because of the things his father had done?
Roman shook his head, sinking into the seat he usually claimed as his own at the table, not more than a foot from his son. “I’m fine. Trust me. I knew my father wasn’t a saint a lot sooner than most of the family. I left…”
He shook his head. “I left when I shouldn’t have because I let him have more sway on my decisions than I should have. The last thing I’m going to do is let him mess with my head at this stage of my life. His mistakes are his own. He’s going to have to deal with the fallout in the next life. I’m not going to take them on. Plus, I love Amanda as a sister already. This just cements our bond more, you know? I’m sure some of the other boys won’t feel the same way, though.” He suddenly chuckled, startling Taylor as she scooped some of the chicken casserole onto his plate. “You know what’s funny about all of this?”
Taylor furrowed her brow. “There’s something funny here?” She couldn’t wait to hear it.
“Yeah, well, Levi had suggested we match Colt to Amanda since you and I and Brock and Lily were such good matches. Colt hasn’t been able to live it down since we found out. He’d almost been matched to his half-sister.” Roman laughed, shaking his head as Taylor set his plate in front of him. “This looks delicious, love.” He reached out, claiming her hand in his. The moment sobered as he stared up at Taylor, Isaac playing with his tater tots in relative quiet. “You know I wouldn’t trade my life with you for anything, right?”
Taylor swallowed and licked her lips. “Really?” But it came out as a whisper. She hated that she was still insecure about him and his choice to marry her, but she couldn’t help it. That’s just how it was when you’d been abandoned before by the same man you’d married.
“Yeah, really. This life with you is better than anything I could have ever dreamed of or hoped for. I’m happy.” Doubt shadowed his eyes. “Are you?”
A slow smile spread across Taylor’s lips. He was worried that she wasn’t happy. He was insecure and that didn’t make her happy, but it made her more secure in her feelings.
She sidled around the high chair Isaac sat in and sank onto Roman’s lap. “I’m happiest with you, Roman Wilson. This is where I belong.” She leaned forward, pressing her lips to his, enjoying the heat that zapped between them. They’d been together for years and Taylor’s pulse still raced when she was in her husband’s arms.
That would never go away, just like her hunger to hear how much he loved her.
At least she could claim that much.
She only wished she could help Amanda find the same happiness she had.
Chapter 5
Tommy
Tommy would know that thick luscious curly hair anywhere. He smiled as he approached the table she waved him over to.
“Wow, fancy meeting you here.” Amanda grinned and motioned him onto the bench across from her.
“Yeah, I had no idea you’d be here. This is lucky. The waitress told me it’d be a thirty-minute wait. Thanks for rescuing me.” Except Tommy had known. He’d been following her since she left the conference room earlier that day. He just did a really good job of staying in the shadows and blending in.
He glanced around and then back to