Page 39 of Gideon’s Gratitude (Love in Mission City #5)

Chapter Twenty-One

Gideon

T his made no sense.

I’d been doing so well. Or so I thought I had.

I’d tried to be charming and witty. A credit to Archer.

And the family seemed to like me. His mother planning my wedding felt over-the-top, but I’d rolled with it.

I hadn’t found a moment to tell Archer how I felt about him, but that time would come. That insane group would head home soon.

Cherry—the sane one—had insisted all canines be left at home. So animals awaited their owners back in Vancouver. And, thank God, no one had brought overnight supplies. No, shortly we’d have the place to ourselves.

A home I still didn’t feel completely comfortable in. Everything was so…new. And expensive. And fancy. Although I gleaned the décor was less high-end than Archer had initially planned. Something about needing the house to be more kid-friendly .

I agreed wholeheartedly with that sentiment. I’d have my family over all the time if I could.

God, I miss my kids.

I held Archer’s hand as we walked along the path between the two properties. Snow was forecast for later tonight. Fortunately, the Chamberlains would all be home safe by then. And if it meant I got snowed in with Archer for a few days? I was okay with that.

We emerged from the clearing, and I jerked to a stop.

Archer stopped as well, turning to face me. “You can do this.”

“That’s Leo’s car. Why is Leo’s car here?”

“He wants to talk to you.”

My heart stuttered. “Is he taking the kids away from me forever? Is that why he’s here? To tell me off once and for all?”

Archer took my cheeks in his hands. “You know that’s not why he’s here.”

“You know.” A realization dawned. “You did this.” Am I pissed or grateful? Depends what happens next.

The front door opened, and I barely had time to register what was happening before Melodie raced across the yard with her arms flung wide. I knelt so I could catch her mid-stride.

She nearly knocked me over, but Archer’s muscular arm at my shoulder held me steady.

“I love you, Daddy. I missed you, Daddy.” Her words were garbled, but a more beautiful sound, I couldn’t remember hearing.

Leo stepped aside and Lucky, who had been inside the house, barreled over, running circles around the new cluster.

Trevor was slower to approach. He held Leo’s hand, and the two of them moved together toward us.

“Hey, buddy.” Damn the catch in my voice.

“You really here?” Trevor’s brow furrowed .

“I am. I really am.” I wanted to scoop both children into my arms, but no way could my back support them. My heart broke.

“Doggie?”

Lucky took that as his cue. He gently approached Trevor, dropping to his belly. Clearly he’d steered clear in the house.

The young boy tentatively rhythmically petted the Labrador’s head.

The dog angled himself to lick Trevor’s hand.

My son pulled back, giggling.

“Why don’t we go inside?” Leo’s voice was a low rumble. “I think Daddy needs to be sitting down for a proper hello.”

I caught his gaze, expecting derision. Nothing but compassion exuded from those stunning-green eyes. Eyes so familiar to me. Eyes that no longer damned me.

Leo scooped Trevor into his arm and positioned him over his hip with an ease I could only envy.

Archer surreptitiously helped me stand.

Leo caught the man’s eye. “Leo.”

He stuck out his hand. “Archer.”

Leo looked around the clearing. “Thank you for calling. We’ve got this.”

“Archer is—” I struggled to get words out.

“Going,” the man supplied. “This is family time.”

Please stay. Please don’t abandon me. I glared beseechingly at him, but my lover didn’t appear to notice. He gave a curt nod, pivoted, and headed back the way he’d come.

“Daddy, I’m cold.”

Melodie’s words spurred me into action. I grasped her hand in mine as we followed Leo back to the house. The house that felt so cramped and old compared to Archer’s grand showcase .

When we were all inside, Leo gestured me to the sofa. He placed a reticent Trevor next to him, but the boy popped off.

“Want to play with toys.”

“Well, I want Daddy.” Melodie crawled into my lap and threw her arms around my neck. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” I pressed my nose to her hair and inhaled the shampoo she favored. Raspberry scented. I pointed to the hearth. “Presents for the kids.”

Leo nodded but hesitated. “We need to talk.”

Tears prickled my eyes. Of course we did.

“Not in front of the kids.” If I was to have my heart broken again, I couldn’t bear for Melodie and Trevor to witness it.

I pressed a kiss to Melodie’s temple. “Why don’t you take Trevor upstairs?

Your room is up there. And his as well. You’ll find toys to play with. ”

Trevor pumped his fist while Melodie looked back and forth between her two fathers. “Are you going to fight?”

Leo pressed a hand to her black curls. “No, sweetheart, we’re not going to fight. Daddy and I want to figure out how to make this work. We both love you.”

She clung to my neck. “Promise to never go away again?”

Emotion clogged my throat.

“He won’t, Melly, I promise.” Leo held my gaze. “Daddy’s going to always be here for you.”

Reluctantly, she pulled back.

Trevor stood at the base of the stairs, waiting for his sister. As soon as she made it to him, he was off like a shot.

She followed but glanced back one more time before going out of sight.

My heart stuttered again. I didn’t want her out of my sight, but we needed to talk .

Lucky glanced back and forth between his new little companions and his faithful owner. In the end, he sat at the bottom of the stairs where he could keep an eye on everyone.

“Why now?” Emotion clogged my throat.

Leo sat beside me on the sofa. He crossed his legs casually and spread one arm along the back. He was within touching distance of me but didn’t bridge the gap.

Probably a good thing.

“He called me. Your Archer.”

My gaze shot to him.

“Oh, he didn’t tell me you were involved. Said he was your new lawyer, and that he wanted to enter into new negotiations. Said before this all got started that I should call Kennedy Dixon. Said you’d given her permission to talk to me.”

Had I? I couldn’t remember. Six weeks felt like a lifetime ago.

“His call came out of nowhere. I thought everything was settled.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I was still angry with you. I was maintaining the high ground—as far as I was concerned.”

“You were punishing me.”

Green eyes shot to mine. “I was.” A slight furrow marred his perfect brow.

“Rationally, I know nothing bad happened that night. I knew you were all fine. Logically, I knew you were in rehab, and chances were decent you’d stay clean.

I saw how much losing the kids cost you.

But I was angry. Angry that you chose pills over our babies.

Angry you weren’t trying hard enough to get better.

Angry that our lives were so different. We’d had it great.

I hadn’t appreciated that. I took it for granted until it all went away. ”

I wanted to point out that I’d never gone away. I’d tried. I’d done everything in my power to get better. Now, however, was not the time for recriminations. “Where do we go from here?” I was terrified to ask the question.

“We negotiate a new agreement. I think the kids should stay with me for now, and they can come out here most weekends.” He ran his hands through his hair. “Come February, though, maybe we can change that up.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve been offered a position at a new hospital. It’s an amazing opportunity to hone my skills and to learn a new technique…”

“But it’ll take you away from the kids.”

“Who are my number-one priority.” He shrugged. “I work long hours and our nanny is lovely, but she’s pregnant and knows she doesn’t want to come back after maternity leave.”

My curiosity piqued. “Where is this new hospital?” I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something told me this was important.

“Abbotsford.”

My breath caught. “That close?” I pressed my hand to Leo’s, then was disconcerted by the now-strange touch.

“I know the kids are your priority. I’ve always known that.

I can come and stay with them while you’re working.

” I could make the drive from Mission City to Surrey without too much problem.

No bridges, which were always the biggest issue in the greater Vancouver area.

For him, the commute from Surrey to Abbotsford wasn’t too bad.

At least he wouldn’t be crossing a river.

But he would be exhausted after those long shifts he worked.

Leo shook his head. “The townhouse is nice, but there’s nowhere for them to play.

The nanny is pregnant, as I said. We’re talking weeks.

I think…” He glanced around the house. “I think it’d be good for them to be up here with you when I’m working.

” He cleared his throat. “I’ve looked at real estate in Mission City, and I can get a decent-si zed house for the same price as our city townhouse. ” He withdrew his hand. “I, uh…”

“I’m not asking for a second chance, Leo. I know we’re done.” The words were a gut punch, but also true.

Leo’s smile was less forced. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. Maybe we would’ve grown apart in the end anyway. You’re a cardiac surgeon and I’m a guy on disability. Hardly an asset to you.” And hardly an asset to Archer, but the man didn’t seem to care.

“It’s not that.” Leo shifted. “I think…I’m willing to trust you with the kids again, but that’s as far as I can go. And God help me, if you do anything—”

“I won’t. I’d die before I hurt them.”

“I believe you.” He glanced over at the hearth. “So, you and this Archer guy…” He wrinkled his nose. “I didn’t realize you’d go looking for…someone like me.”