“I know how hard it was for you to change your whole life after Mom died and I got stuck in that chair. But it also brought us closer together. I didn’t want things to change. This is going to be hard, and you hated to watch me struggle. It upset you so much. I didn’t want to hurt you more.”
Oh, they’d needed to have this talk for such a very long time. “It was not hard. I hate what happened to you and your mother, but getting to spend every day with you was the best thing that ever happened to me. Being your dad has been the joy of my life, Noelle. But I’ve done you a disservice because I was happy. I wanted things to stay the same so I didn’t have to worry about you again. If you were home, you were safe. Life isn’t about safety, baby girl. Life is about taking risks and pushing yourself to be the best Noelle you can be. I forgot that.”
“I love you, Dad. I’m sorry I was so stubborn.”
She hadn’t been the only one. “I’m sorry, too. Know that I’m going to push you from now on. I was afraid, too. I put you in that car.”
She shook her head. “You wanted to see me. I wanted to see you, too. It had been too long. I could have waited until morning, but I didn’t want to waste the time we did have together. I fought with Mom that night.”
It wasn’t anyone’s fault. They’d all meant well. It had been an accident and one it was long past time to forgive themselves for. “We’re going to move past this. We’re going to do it as a family. I promise the next time I’m feeling guilty, I’ll talk about it. And the next time you think you’re a burden, tell me and I’ll remind you of all the ways you’re loved.”
He got to his knees and looked around for Lila. She should be here with them. She was the reason they were here. God, he needed to hold her, to tell her he was sorry for not understanding what she’d been trying to do.
He needed to tell her how much he loved her.
“I think she left,” Noelle said, allowing him to help her up.
Tanya was there, holding the wheelchair steady as he got to his feet and picked his daughter up. “She went back to the clinic. I think she was trying to give you two some space. Oh, Noelle, I’m so happy for you.”
His daughter was light in his arms, but he’d mistaken her size for fragility. Noelle was strong, and she could fight her way through this. He would be by her side. He needed to make sure Lila was with them. They weren’t complete without her.
Noelle settled in and nodded up at the therapist. “I want to try again. Lila said I should try at least three times.”
“I can make that happen, but we’re going slow. Lila will chew me out if I let you hurt yourself.” Tanya smiled Armie’s way. “It’s okay, Sheriff. I can handle the rest of the session if you want to go to the clinic and talk to her.”
“Can I have a minute with my daughter?” He needed to make something clear. There was no way to move forward without the most important part of his personal future.
“I’ll go grab us some water,” Tanya said with a wink. “Be right back.”
He turned to his daughter. “I’m going to marry Lila. I love her and I love you. I will always love you, but . . .”
Noelle held up a hand to stop him. “But I won’t be here forever, Dad. I’m going to go to college. I’m going to be a chemist and I’m going to have my own family. I love Lila, too. I can’t think of anyone I would want as a stepmom more than her. And, Dad, I know you’re scared of having more kids, but I think you should. I think I would be a great big sister.”
Something had happened to her in those moments when she’d taken her first faltering steps. Something mature and confident had come over his daughter. She’d been a scared little girl, but a woman sat in that chair now, one who would fight for herself.
He leaned over and kissed her forehead. “I agree. I think any kids who get you as a sister will have a hell of a role model. I’ll bring her back. I promise.”
He nodded to Tanya as he strode out of the building.
It was time to bring his wife home.chapter eighteen“I think you boys should get on out of here.” Mabel’s voice was clear, but there was a shaky quality to it.
Lila started to back away. She didn’t recognize the voices, but she was worried she might know who they were. If she was right, they were absolutely not here for medical care. The computer had been coated with gasoline, and so had the filing cabinets from the looks of it. Someone wanted to get rid of all her patient records, and there was only one person she could think of who might want to do that.