Big Girls Don’t Cry (Dundee, Idaho #6)(57)
Author: Brenda Novak

But was Isaac really the enemy?

“This is going to be complicated,” she whispered.

“Not if we don’t let it get that way,” he insisted.

“Right.” Taking a deep breath, she nodded.

“Are you ready for me to go?” he asked.

“No.” She studied him for another moment, taking in his curly dark hair, his golden irises, the clean angles of his face. Then she held out her hand. Would he take it? He was attracted to her, too; she felt it.

He hesitated for only a moment before cursing softly and curling his strong, tanned fingers through hers. “This isn’t going to help, Reenie,” he said.

“I don’t care,” she responded, and smiled as his warmth seemed to glide right through her. “Just tell me about Africa.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

KEITH’S ANGER MADE IT almost impossible for him to stand in one spot as he waited for Liz to open the door. He kept picturing Isaac and Reenie at the farm alone, imagining what they might be doing right now. And it made him want to hit someone.

When Liz finally appeared, he shoved his way into the house and tried to kiss her. He knew he was being too aggressive, but he couldn’t contain his frustration any longer. He was so sick of having no control over his life, no ability to bring what he wanted most back to him. If he couldn’t have Reenie, he’d take Liz. He couldn’t lose both families. Not for good! He’d paid his price!

But Liz turned her face away so that he couldn’t reach her lips and pushed on his chest until he finally let her go. “What’s wrong with you?” she breathed, her eyes snapping. She didn’t raise her voice—but he knew that was only because she didn’t want to wake the children.

“I’ve been humbled, okay? I—I regret what I did with every breath I take. It’s time to forgive me.”

She shook her head as though he’d just said something absolutely insane. But it didn’t sound insane to him. He couldn’t understand how Liz and Reenie, who’d both loved him so much, could turn their backs on him now. He spent half his time rambling around the empty house he’d shared with Reenie and his girls, marveling that he could suffer such a quick and immediate reversal.

“I’m afraid you don’t get to decide what I do or do not feel,” she said.

“But I’m available now, Liz. There’s nothing standing between us. I have no one else to worry about, no secrets. You could have my complete attention.”

“It’s too late,” she said.

“Why?”

She lifted her hands in a helpless gesture. “It just is.”

“I’ll be good to you. I’ll—I’ll make it so that you never have to think of Reenie again.”

“That’s impossible, and you know it. What you did has very far-reaching consequences, Keith. I can’t change that.”

He grabbed her hand. “You could forgive me.”

She pulled away. “Even if I could, you really want Reenie, not me. You’ve made that very clear.”

“That’s not true.” He feared she’d easily recognize that statement for the lie that it was, but he was desperate enough to use almost anything to convince her. At least he could live a semblance of the life he once knew if she’d come back to him. At least he could walk away from Reenie with a little of his dignity left. “I love you, Liz. Look at everything I gave you. I never bought Reenie a diamond tennis bracelet. I gave you a better house, paid for a part-time nanny—”

“I was working, too, Keith. Except for the bracelet, we bought those things.”

“I gave you more of my paycheck than I did her!”

“The question is why?”

“To make you happy.”

“No.” She shook her head. “To make you happy. You were trying to maintain a certain lifestyle, Keith. You were living your fantasy life, weren’t you? A nice house, a pretty wife, a nanny for the two kids, a membership at the club. You were taking advantage of the chance to be something completely different than you are when you’re here in Dundee. I think you got a kick out of putting on a show for our friends.”

“That’s not fair. I bought those things, did those things for you.”

“If you were thinking of me, what happened would never have occurred,” she said softly. “Now, I’m going to ask you to leave.”

“What?”

“I don’t want you here. You can call when the kids are awake, but don’t come over here again without permission.”

“I can stay as long as I please,” he said.

“No, you can’t. Isaac’s asleep down the hall. I’ll call him if you won’t go.”

“That’s bullshit,” he scoffed. “Your big bad brother isn’t even home.”

She lifted her chin but didn’t respond.

“Don’t you want to know where he is?” he taunted.

“Not necessarily.”

“He’s with Reenie,” he said. “Isn’t that a bitch? He’s probably screwing her brains out right now.”

“Get out.” Her hands curled into fists, and the loathing that filled her face finally registered.

“Forget I even came here,” he said. “When Isaac leaves, Reenie’s bound to realize what she’s throwing away. Then she’ll come back to me. You’ll see. And you’ll be sorry you didn’t act when you had the chance!”

With that he marched out and slammed the door. Part of him hoped she’d follow him, beg him to come back in so they could work things out. She used to do that kind of thing when they had a disagreement. But she didn’t. Instead, he heard her lock the door behind him.

ISAAC LAY on the floor with a pillow, staring up at the ceiling while trying to keep from touching Reenie, who had her head on his chest and was lying perpendicular to him. The fire flickered in front of them, crackling, popping, and smelling like smoke and sap.

“So they still speak French in Africa?”

They’d drawn the drapes in case Keith returned. The house felt warm, close and private, and although they were both relaxed, there was a subtle yet undeniable tension in the air—tension that came from restraint.

“Early colonization made a lasting impact on the whole continent,” he explained, allowing himself the small concession of playing with her hair.

“But I thought the people in Central Africa spoke mostly Bantu.”