she knows they needed him in their life. I bet what David feared was losing a brilliant, loving, kind, generous woman like Sierra.”
“He had me.”
“And you gave him a reason to always be in your life.”
It took her a second to understand his meaning. “Hallee wasn’t planned.”
“Maybe not, but she sure did ensure you kept David coming back to you. He was coming back to you the night he died.”
True. But . . . “That’s not fair.”
“No, it’s not. Neither is what you did to Sierra.”
“I want to make it right.” She did, because she’d lost David and she didn’t want to lose her sister, too.
“‘Right’? What does that even mean? You can’t change what you did or that you have a child by her husband.”
She fell in love with the wrong, right man. She had a baby with him when he couldn’t—or wouldn’t, she sadly confessed to herself—be with her.
She never expected to be a single mom.
She never thought she’d lose David.
“I love Sierra, even if I’ve done a poor job of showing it. I want her to be happy. And if that is with you, then I wish you both the best.” Heather sucked in a breath. “I’m embarrassed and sorry about my behavior yesterday. I’m sorry I put you in the middle of me and Sierra. I have a lot of making up to do. It won’t be easy, but I want my sister back. I want our kids to grow up together.”
“She’s still sorting out her feelings. I don’t know if or when she’ll be able to consider talking to you or getting the kids together.”
Heather appreciated that he’d given up that much, but hated the way he phrased it because it implied Sierra had no intention of keeping Heather in her life. It made her sad and the guilt piled on.
“For what it’s worth, I think you’ll be great for her and the boys.” She shrugged. “That’s all I was looking for, for me and Hallee.”
“Look for it with someone who isn’t already with someone else.”
“Good advice.” She meant it despite the mirth and sarcasm.
“I hope you take it.” Mason sighed. “Look, I don’t know if this can be fixed between you and Sierra. Right now, she doesn’t want to hear anything you have to say. To her, it all sounds like excuses and empty apologies. She doesn’t want to hurt the kids. She won’t take it out on Hallee. And she doesn’t want her boys to think less of David, or even you. She’s not ready to have that talk with them. Until she is, I’m not sure she’ll be ready to hear anything you have to say about it.”
“Understandable. I always knew I’d have to explain to Hallee about who her father was and how we fell in love. We both look bad, but I want her to know that despite what David and I did, she was born out of real love. Sierra probably doesn’t want to hear that, but it’s true. I hope she can find it in her heart to understand I couldn’t turn my back on that love and as much as I regret hurting her, I am incredibly grateful to have Hallee.”
She didn’t know how else to explain it, except that for all the bad she caused, she got something so great out of it.
“Thank you for listening to me and being so good to Sierra and her kids. I appreciate it. If she stays, maybe one day soon we’ll be able to . . . well, maybe not settle this, but put it behind us. I really would like Hallee to know her brothers.”
“In time, I think Sierra will want that, too. But getting there may take some time.”
“I understand.” She gave him a halfhearted smile. She hadn’t accomplished what she’d come here to do, but maybe this was better. Mason would tell Sierra the details of their conversation. Maybe coming from him, she’d hear what Heather wanted her to know. Maybe she’d think about it. Sierra wasn’t mean or vindictive. She’d come around eventually.
I hope.
“Please tell Sierra I’m not giving up, but I will give her some space.”
“I’ll tell her.”
Heather nodded her good-bye and walked down the porch steps to her car. She’d pick up Hallee from the sitter and spend the rest of the day with her. She needed Hallee’s sweet smile and unconditional love to see her through this dark time.
She’d been alone a long time, but she’d never felt this lonely. Her whole