Page 40 of Gideon’s Gratitude (Love in Mission City #5)

He didn’t mean looks of course. Because there were virtually no similarities.

The coloring was different. The physical perfection was clear—although that wasn’t what Leo meant.

He was wondering why I’d chosen another very powerful man.

But I no longer saw my ex when I looked at Archer.

“He’s not you. He’s not a replacement for you. He’s the guy living next door.”

“I think he’s good for you.”

“I think so too.” I hesitated.

“But…”

“But I don’t know if he wants kids. He never had them with his ex-wife.”

Leo’s right eyebrow rose.

“Bi.”

He nodded. “Would that affect your decision about Melodie and Trevor? ”

“Absolutely not. And I don’t think he’d want me to choose him over the kids. I mean, if he does, then he’s not the man I know.”

“The man you love.”

I met Leo’s gaze. I swallowed the lump in my throat. “The man I love.”

He smiled. “I want to see you happy, Gid. I want to remember the good times, and I want us to co-parent these amazing kids. Kids who should come down and open their presents.”

“Yay!” Melodie clomped down the stairs, Trevor in tow.

Lucky leapt up and ran circles around the kids.

“Were you eavesdropping?”

“No, Papa, I was listening to you.” Her blue eyes went wide. “I didn’t want you to fight.”

Leo patted the sofa between the two of us.

Melodie hopped up and, after a moment, Trevor joined her.

“We’ll always be a family, and we’ll always love each other. We’re just not all going to live at the same house.” Leo looked at each of them.

“Presents,” Trevor declared.

“Can I play Santa?” Melodie’s ability to read made her perfect for the role.

Trevor had been working on letters before my life imploded.

I hoped he’d kept that up, and I planned to read to the kids again as soon as they came to visit. Their rooms were full of books.

Three hours later, the kids were fading.

With great reluctance, I helped load them into Leo’s car.

Leo rounded the hood and pulled me in for a gentle hug. “I’ll bring them on Friday.”

“For New Year’s Eve?”

“Did you have other plans?”

I shook my head. “I’m elated. I can’t even find the words. ”

Leo pressed a finger to my lips. “Don’t search for the words. Search for the love. They’ve missed you terribly, and that’s on me.”

“No recriminations. I needed time to heal.” Maybe not physically, but I’d needed to learn to forgive myself for endangering our precious children. Time to deal with the addiction. Time to acclimate to living on the mountain.

Time to fall in love with a beautiful man.

Leo gave me one final squeeze before sauntering over and getting into the driver’s seat. More like a platonic-friend hug.

Huh. I didn’t feel the pang of loss. The yearning. Only a warmth deep in my gut. I’d made the right decision for our family. Now I just had to make sure things were right with Archer.

Lucky and I waved at the departing car.

Trevor’s head already lolled. The kid ran like the wind, then would drop like a stone from exhaustion.

“You want to see Archer?”

Lucky’s ears perked. He ran to his favorite patch of grass, did his business, and once finished, barreled down the path between the properties.

I was slower to follow. If the man’s family was still there, I’d quietly back away. I didn’t want to intrude. Family time, as I well knew, was so important. It warmed me that Archer was making space for his family up here in his mountain retreat.

Plans for the cabin were finalized, and construction would start in the spring.

I'd ferreted out from the man that he was backing away from his practice in Vancouver. I just didn’t know what that meant.

One car remained in the long driveway, and I was about to whistle for Lucky to return when the front door opened .

Chad and Pia, clad in their coats, stepped out onto the porch, Archer fast on their heels.

Lucky barreled over and lunged for the newcomers.

Pia giggled and bent over to give the dog a thorough scratching.

My dog preened.

Chad spotted me and waved. “We were just convincing him to go find you. Sorry you missed the rest of the party.”

I met Archer’s gaze. “I am, too.” I focused my attention on Chad. “My kids came for a visit. Easy decision.” I shrugged. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Pia pressed a hand to her small baby bump. “Children always come first.”

Archer clapped Chad on the back. “You’ll make an amazing father.”

Chad’s expression was guarded.

Pia pivoted, took his cheeks in her hands, and planted a huge kiss to his lips. “Together. Forever.”

He smiled and took her hand. Together they crossed to the sports car. He glanced over at me. “We’re shopping for a minivan in the new year.”

I gave him a thumbs-up, unable to form words. The love I witnessed warmed my heart. In a moment of worry, Archer had shared Chad’s struggle with schizophrenia. I understood the concern, but also comprehended life was a crapshoot.

Yes, the baby had a slightly higher risk of developing the illness, but mental illness struck people who didn’t have a family history as well.

With all those grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, the baby would have unending support.

Chad had also been stable with his meds for almost a decade, so that was worth celebrating as well.

As the couple drove away, I approached cautiously.

“Are the kids still at your house? ”

What’s he thinking? I sought answers in his guarded expression. I shook my head. “No. They were overwrought, and we thought it best they go home for now. They’re coming next weekend for New Year’s Eve and staying the weekend.”

“How do you feel about that?”

“Sad because I want them with me all the time, but so damn grateful Leo is open to renegotiating custody. I’ll get them most weekends until February, then Leo is taking a new job in Abbotsford.

We agreed the kids will stay with me full-time while he’s working.

I’ll enroll them in the Mission City school district.

Leo plans to move to Mission City as well since it’s so close to Abby. ”

“Sounds very…neat and tidy.”

Does that mean he doesn’t want to be part of this? I hesitated.

Oh.

“Leo and I aren’t getting back together.”

Archer’s eyebrow rose.

“You thought…? No way. We’re done. We’ve been done for more than a year. The fact he’s willing to share the kids with me is thanks to you, but there’s no way for us to get back to where we were.”

“No marriage resurrection.”

I took a step forward, right into his personal space. I gazed up at him. Into those beautiful storm-gray eyes. “If you want me, I’ll be yours. But I come with a lot of baggage.”

“I hope you’re not referring to the children.” His brow furrowed.

“Possibly. And a broken body. And a former addict. I’m a lot to take on.”

“First, you’re making improvements physically.

And since I didn’t know you from before, I won’t be comparing you to that man.

I get you. That’s all I want.” He ran his hand through his hair.

“You’re in counseling. And you’re aware how easy it would be to slip back into addiction.

We both know it’s a lifelong battle, but it’s one we can face together. As for the kids…”

His voice trailed off as he looked over to my home.

Dusk settled, with the threat of snow in the air.

God knew, it was cold enough.

“I told everyone I didn’t want kids.” He sighed. “Well, I told myself that as well. In part because Thea never got pregnant.”

My heart constricted.

“I mean, I helped raise my family’s brood. Except Channing,” he was quick to correct. “I was finally at the university by the time he came along.”

What is he saying?

“I didn’t have kids with Thea because we couldn’t. And I felt our lives were complete without them. I’m glad I didn’t, because we might’ve stuck in an unhappy marriage for the sake of the children. That’s never a good thing.”

As a divorce lawyer, he’d have witnessed that plenty of times.

“When I first found out you had kids, that put a big red X over any relationship we might have. I wasn’t going to step into a custody battle.”

“And yet you did.” I longed to reach out but couldn’t. “Thanks to you, I have my kids back.” Tears stung my eyes. “I’ll always owe you for that.”

“What if…” He finally met my gaze. “What if they don’t like me?”

“They’ll love you. Leo was making little positive comments, and Melodie’s already expressed an interest in meeting Daddy’s new friend.

Trevor’s an easygoing kid. If Melly accepts you, he’ll be right there with her.

” I rubbed my forehead. “It might not be easy, but we’ll make it work.

If you want this. If you don’t, I’ll respect that. ”

“But it’ll be the end of us.” Archer’s finality bit. Hard .

“I suppose I could see you when they’re not around.” Why was this so tough? “But I don’t want to ever lie to them.”

“You don’t have to.”

I met his gaze.

“You wouldn’t be the man I love if you were willing to lie to your kids.

Today really opened my eyes. If Chad and Pia are willing to take the risk, why can’t I?

Being a stepparent was never in the plan, but is it so bad to change plans?

We could even look at making the two spare bedrooms here kid-friendly.

” He grasped my hand. “I’ve fallen in love with you.

I want to make a life with you. Whether it’s in this house, or your house, or some combination…

I just don’t want to spend another night without you. ”

“But Vancouver—”

He shook his head. “I’ll commute on the train for a month or two, but I’m coming home every night to you.

I’ve called Cadence, my realtor. He’s looking for a storefront for me in Mission City.

Or I might join an existing practice. And I’ve also contacted legal aid in town.

I want to do more to help those less fortunate.

I’ve gotten a nibble from an up-and-coming lawyer who wants buy my practice in Vancouver.

If I sell that, as well as my Point Grey home, I’ll be pretty much set for life. ”

While I would continue to struggle on my disability payments.

Archer tapped my forehead. “You’ll be raising our children. I think that’s a much more important job.”

Our children. “Leo will always be part of our lives.”

“He’s a good man. Perhaps a little misguided, but I think he’s seen the changes in you and will give you another shot.”

“He is.”

“Well then, all that’s left is for you to say yes.” He held out his hand and caught the first falling snowflake. “And make it quick. I’ve got the fire going, and I can’t think of a better way to spend the night than with you in front of it.”

Since I wanted that as well, I leaned in and pressed my lips to his.

He promptly took full advantage by thrusting his tongue in possessively. Mine .

I had no argument. Because it went both ways. Archer had gone from the annoying neighbor to my forever in the span of six weeks. What would our life together bring?

I couldn’t wait to find out.