“Yes, he was freaking out about some music. He’s a great guy, don’t get me wrong, but when he has his mind set on something, he is relentless until he finds the answer.”
My music. He’s still thinking about it? She thought that episode was forgotten. Zoey hadn’t planned on sharing with him about the compositions and why she’d written them, but if it was troubling to him, she’d have to.
“What music?” Lena asked.
Oh, God. I don’t want to have to explain to everyone. It’s bad enough I need to tell Bennett. “Some music that I had lying around.”
“I was honestly blown away that Bennett even knew how to play. He thought maybe the music belonged to your father,” Morgan added.
“No. I have nothing of that man in my house.” Zoey’s voice filled with bitterness as she spoke.
“Sorry. I shouldn’t have brought him up,” Morgan said, giving Zoey’s hand a consoling pat.
Zoey shrugged. “You’re all family now. It’s no secret. James Henderson was... incredibly unkind to all of his children.”
Lena nodded. “I met James years ago when Brice and I were involved the first time. He made my skin crawl. I don’t know how you all turned out to be the wonderful people you are, growing up under that man’s control.”
Tessa chimed in saying, “My father always preached that we’re not given a good or bad life. It’s our choice what to do with the life we’re given, good or not.”
Zoey could relate to that. It’d been her choice for years to shut herself off from everyone and anything. She didn’t do anyone any harm except herself. After much reflection, she had to stop blaming her father and accept some of the responsibility. Her brothers had broken away. It hadn’t been easy for them. Heck, Dean hadn’t seen the family in almost ten years. What she wasn’t going to do now was beat herself up for not leaving then. Instead, she set her mind on one thing: the future. I only hope that includes Bennett, because it’s not going to be the same without him.
“I forgot your father is a preacher, Tessa. I wonder if he rubbed off on Dean?” Zoey teased.
“Funny. It’s truthfully the opposite. I think Dean has been good for my father.” Tessa laughed. “Dean reminds my dad that life’s short so if you want something, stop wishing for it, go out and make it happen.”
“Dean is very good at making things happen. But I think a preacher would use different tactics. Dean is like a hammer,” Zoey said.
“I think all the Henderson are,” Lena added, “in business at least.”
That was one thing they all got from their father. No one stopped them from getting what they wanted. If they weren’t men of character, it’d be dangerous associating with any of them. And they never would have women like these in their lives either.
“At least you’ve found yourself a man who isn’t going to cower before them,” Morgan said. “I’ve seen him in action, firsthand. I guess that’s why Shaun has given Bennett his approval.”
“Approval for what?”
“Zoey, do you know that Bennett met with each of your brothers after that party?” Morgan asked. Zoey nodded. “It wasn’t a business meeting. He was there making a statement. A bold, brash one, but he did. He drew a line in the sand and made it known he wasn’t going anywhere. Shaun and I already liked him, but this sealed it. That man loves you, Zoey, and you have Shaun’s blessing.”
“Brice’s as well,” Lena stated.
“I know this will shock you, but Dean’s too,” Tessa said. “Now the question remains, how do you feel about him?”
She already knew what was in her heart. I love him. But there was still so much he didn’t know about her. The ladies were right; they hadn’t spoken about children. She had no idea if he wanted any. Bennett was almost forty. It was possible he didn’t like them. What would she do then? Zoey wanted to be a mother. The only thing that terrified her was the possibility of being anything like her parents. Zoey wanted to give children what she’d never had: a loving home.
I wish he’d come back so we can talk. There’s so much I want to tell him, but most of all, I love him. Why didn’t I tell him before he left? She knew why. The timing wasn’t good. She didn’t want to say it after making love. How she felt about him didn’t have anything to do with the mind-blowing orgasms he’d given her. Of course, I did love that too. It was how she felt about herself when with him.
She never forgot what he said as he kissed her goodbye that morning. “If I could give you one gift, it would be for you to see yourself through my eyes. Only then will you know how truly special you are.” Bennett’s words had touched her heart that morning. She’d remembered them every day. Although he never told her he loved her, those words expressed it beautifully, and she’d cherish them always.
“I... love him too. But he hasn’t told me that he—”
“Zoey. Men express their love. Words are sometimes hard. Look at his actions. What do you see?” Tessa asked.
Zoey wanted to believe Bennett loved her. They were right about men being different, but she needed to hear the words. No one had ever said them to her, not even her brothers, although she knew they did. It was a word she didn’t associate with herself, but when it came to Bennett, it was more than the four letters put together. She needed him to say it. How can Bennett not see that? He seems to be able to pick up on everything else.
She also knew she couldn’t ask Bennett to change who he was just for her. If he could never say the words, yet showed her in how he treated her, she would need to accept that. Better than a man who says he loves me and treats me horribly.
“He makes me feel... loved.”
All the ladies smiled, got up, and gave Zoey a group hug. She realized then that she had so much more love in her life than she’d noticed before. I have a family. A good, loving family. A family that I want Bennett to be part of.