Page 42 of Unexpected Danger (Mountain Justice #2)

“If I were in your life permanently and turned out like my mom and—”

“First of all, you’re nothing like your mom. At all. Secondly, I know that every man who was ever supposed to love you has walked out of your life. Your dad, Logan, Lance, and your grandpa when he died. But I’m not like that. I’m loyal and steadfast, or at least I’d like to think I am.”

Makeup smeared across her cheeks, and a stray hair stuck to her face. “You are loyal and steadfast. You’re an amazing man, Brodie Brenneman. That’s why I thought you deserved so much better than the daughter of a woman who can’t stay married and is a lousy mom as well.”

“I think I’m old enough to be able to determine who I would like to spend the rest of my life with.”

“I wasn’t saying that. I know you’re wise and—I’m sure you prayed before proposing. Despite my ridiculous actions, I care about you greatly, Brodie.”

“As a friend.”

“Yes, as a friend.”

A slam of anger pitted itself in Brodie’s stomach.

This conversation wasn’t going anywhere.

At least they were still friends. Was he hoping she’d change her mind after their time at Jimmy’s?

After the harrowing experiences she’d faced?

After he reassured her, he was there for her?

Cared for her? “I wanted more than friendship, Londyn, and I can’t force you to love me. ”

She straightened in the seat and pointed at him. “Well, for one, you know how strong-willed I am, so I don’t think anyone can force me to love them or to do anything. And two, I pretty much do love you.”

“Like a brother? Like you love Roarke, Grayson, and Danny when he was alive?”

“No, not like that.”

She sobbed, and without another second of hesitation, he stretched his arms around the console and pulled her close. She rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m just so sorry, Brodie. If I could take back that day, I would.”

Her words now were so muffled in his mind because he was thinking about how she said her love for him was not like the brotherly love that she felt for Roarke, Grayson, and Danny.

But he’d probably heard her wrong. Heard what he wanted to hear.

Or maybe he had heard her correctly. Maybe there was hope.

He reached over and swiped a tear from her face.

Londyn had never been one to share her innermost thoughts.

It had served her better to keep her feelings inside, but in this moment of transparency with Brodie, the words had fallen from her mouth before she could stop them.

How she wished multiple times over that she had not left Pronghorn Falls that day the way she had.

If only she had handled things differently.

Sure, if she’d stayed, she would never have met Dustin and had to worry about nearly losing her life at his hands, but it was so much more than that. If she’d made a better choice, she wouldn’t have hurt the only man she had ever loved—whom she would only ever love.

Londyn denied her feelings for him for far too long, worried that she would hurt him the way Mom had hurt so many of her husbands, including Lance.

She allowed pride to cloud her vision and stupidity to replace wisdom.

And now she might never—and rightfully so—have the chance with Brodie that her heart deeply sought and yearned for.

She rested in his arms, inhaling the familiar scent of him.

She knew every contour of his handsome face.

The mole on his neck and the tiny scar behind his ear.

The way the corners of his eyes crinkled when he laughed.

She knew his favorite food, his favorite pastimes, and the things that bothered him most in his job.

She knew all about his future dreams and goals and how deeply the love for his family ran through him.

He knew just as much about her. He knew all about her past, what she wrestled with when it came to her mom, and the rejection she’d so often felt.

Had a slice of that fear of rejection wormed its way into her heart when it came to Brodie?

No. He was not like the men who had left Mom, including Dad, who’d been unfaithful. He wasn’t like Logan. Brodie wasn’t like Lance, who, because Londyn was her mom’s daughter, now wanted nothing to do with her. Lance reminded her of that during her subsequent calls.

Brodie was a good, kind, honest, and gracious man who cared for others and sought to do what was right.

Who did his best to follow the Lord and commit his ways to Jesus.

The tears burned her eyes and blurred her vision.

She appreciated his forgiveness. Appreciated that he still wanted to spend time with her.

Appreciated perhaps most of all the way he put his life on the line to protect her from a narcissistic sociopath.

A glimpse at the window indicated Xander again waving at them.

Mila gently took him aside and closed the curtain.

This entire family was at risk because of Londyn.

This entire family had put their lives on hold because of a madman.

If something happened to them because of Dustin, it would be Londyn’s fault. She would never forgive herself.

She loved Brodie so much more than just as friends. She loved Aileen like a mom, loved Roarke and Grayson as brothers. Was so grateful for the new friendship she’d found with Mila, and how Xander had readily adopted Londyn as his aunt.

Londyn wanted to be around to share a life with the Brennemans.

How could she have resisted their kindness and their love in pursuit of her own selfishness and fear?

She’d spent a few hours with Aileen discussing her error in leaving.

Had rested in the comfort of the woman who was her surrogate mom.

The one who’d forgiven her and encouraged her to discuss this with Brodie, no matter how difficult it would be. The one who prayed with and for her.

A full range of emotions settled in her heart. “Brodie, I do care about you, and I do love you, and not just like a brother.”

With her head resting on his chest, she could hear the rapid beat of his heart, but he said no words. Instead, he was silent just as she predicted he would be. Did he believe her? Believe her sincerity?

“I take full responsibility for what happened.” She’d spent more time in prayer these last few months than she ever had throughout all of the trials—some of her own doing—and some at the hands of others.

All that had happened in the past and all that now happened, especially with Dustin’s stalking, cemented hers and Brodie’s relationship. She relied on him more now than ever. But that wasn’t why she loved him. It was so much more than that.

“Londyn…”

“I know, I’ve just been rambling, but I do have feelings for you.”

“I don’t want you to feel like I’m pressuring you.”

“I don’t.” She stared into his eyes. “I don’t feel like you’re pressuring me.”

“Well, in that case. This changes a lot of things.”

She put a hand on his chest. “Am I too late?” Londyn bit her lip and prayed she hadn’t blown it completely. That God’s will would be done in this situation.

Twin creases marred his forehead. “You’re not too late, Londyn. You could never be too late.”

Hesitant relief and joy billowed within her. “I’m not too late?”

“No. You’re not too late.”

The lights flickered on and off, and Brodie jerked away, ever ready to react to any danger. But when he pointed at the window, Londyn laughed.

Xander stood in the window, giggling. Londyn could almost hear his little boy laughter.

“I somehow don’t think it’s anything nefarious or even an electrical or a burned-out lightbulb issue,” said Brodie.

“I agree. I think we have our culprit for the flickering lights.”

Brodie deepened his voice. “Young boy, approximately four feet tall, fifty pounds, in footy pajamas decorated with bugs. He was seen with two accomplices, a live dog named Yukon, and a stuffed one named Spider.”

“Spoken like a true member of law enforcement.”

They both laughed, a welcome reprieve from the heavy emotions of the past half hour.

“I suppose we should probably go inside,” said Brodie. “I’m sure Roarke and Mila would probably like to get Xander home for bed.”

“Thank you for forgiving me and for the second chance.”

“We needed to have this conversation.”

“We did.”

“Xander cracks me up. He’s going to be one tired boy tomorrow with this lack of sleep. You ready to go inside?”

She wasn’t, but she knew that was the best course of action, especially where rambunctious little boys were involved. Xander bounced around in the window. Londyn already loved Xander and wanted to be a part of both his and the new baby’s lives.

This family was her family.