Page 24 of The Homemaker (The Chain of Lakes #1)

Chapter Twenty-Four

Alice

Ask him to wait. Forgive him when he doesn’t.

Eight Years Earlier …

With my heart tightly lodged in my throat, bandaged hand hugged to my chest, and other hand poised to knock on Murphy’s door, I took a steadying breath.

After two soft taps and about ten seconds, he slowly opened it. The only thing he offered was a heartbreaking frown as he stood shirtless, shoulders curled inward.

“I don’t have a husband,” I whispered. Then I drew in a shaky breath to keep the tears at bay.

“No kids. No dog.” My heart ached behind the bandaged hand on my chest. “I’m not terminally ill.

But I …” I closed my eyes for a breath. “I am really fucking lost. And I’m not ready to be found.

And I’m sorry that I can’t give you more. ”

I stepped inside, toe-to-toe with him. When I lifted my chin to look into his eyes, he threaded all of his fingers through my hair.

“And I can’t stay. But I want to return.”

A reluctant smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“Will you wait for me?”

He dipped his head, brushing his lips against mine. “I’ll wait,” he whispered.