“I think God told me where you were.” Well, that was one way to start.
“Not really sure why anyone cares I was gone.” Her eyes were red-rimmed, her cheeks pale. She shivered, and he wished he’d thrown a blanket in the duffel.
“I brought you snacks.” That he left in his truck. In said duffel.
She shot him a bewildered look, looking around at the obvious lack of snacks.
“They’re in the truck, sorry.” He ran a hand through his soggy hair. Messing this up, once again. But that was okay. They had time.
He had to believe that.
“It’s okay. I’m not hungry.” She rested her chin back on her jean-clad knees.
“Not just about that. I’m sorry about a lot.” He pulled his legs up, mirroring her position. “I haven’t been honest with you.”
“I know.”
“I should have told you what I’m pretty sure you overheard.”
She narrowed her eyes. “How’d you know I was eavesdropping?”
So they’d assumed right. “I didn’t at the time, but Zoey and I pieced it together.” He waited a beat. “Saw the window cracked in your room. The missing unicorn…”
“Frederick.”
“Right, Frederick.”
Her hair dripped water off her face, and she swiped it away with the back of her arm. “You can stop pretending now.”
“Pretending what?”
“That you want me around. You don’t want to ask Mom to give up her rights, so obviously you don’t want me.”
“I was afraid you thought that.” Linc brushed water off his eyes. “You broke a promise, you know.”
“Not to run away?”
“Yeah.”
“Felt like the deal was off when it was clear you didn’t want to keep me.” She scowled.
“See, that’s where you’re wrong. We do want to.” The inclusion of Zoey came naturally, but for a moment, he wondered if it was applicable. Would she forgive him? He had to find her next.
Had to step out in faith.
He cleared his throat, repeating the sentiment. “Zoey and I both want you.”
“Then why did you?—”
“I just didn’t want to go to court, put you through all that.” Linc shook his head. “That’s a totally different conversation.”
Hope hovered in Amelia’s eyes. “So you mean?—”
“We do want you? Yep.” He tapped her zipped backpack, where he knew the unicorn was tucked safe and dry. “Frederick too.”
Amelia winced. “So I?—”
“Ran away, broke your promise, and sat outside in a thunderstorm for nothing?” Linc nodded. “Yep.”
