When There Is Nothing Left But Love

“Are you saying that you’ve never tried to find out what happened to Macy back then?” I asked. My heart ached for Macy. If Jared really cared about her, why didn’t he even try?

The obvious answer was that he didn’t care. Otherwise, Jared wouldn’t have given up just like that. Not only had he never tried to look for Macy, he never even asked after her.

It made me even more fearful of handing Summer over to Jared.

He remained silent, biting his lip.

I’d calmed down. Looking at Jared’s troubled face, I vowed, “No matter what the Crests have planned for Summer, I will never give her up to you.”

I then stalked the rest of the way back to the table.

Ashton had been engaged in casual chit-chat with Joe. When he said me, he reached out in concern and asked, “What took you so long?”

“It’s nothing. Have you finished eating already?” We’d all gathered here today under the pretext of having dinner, but nobody had taken more than a few bites.

Ashton continued looking at me. “You’re not hungry?”

I shook my head vigorously. “Nope.”

Upon hearing this, Ashton pushed back his chair and stood up. Politely, he said to Joe, “It’s getting late. We’ll get going then.”

Obvious displeasure was written all over Joe’s face. He demanded, “Didn’t we agree to this get-together? Are you leaving before we’ve even gotten to say anything?”

late!” Ashton repeated firmly, hauling me along with him. Jared was smoking near the door. We passed each other without another

car. “Ashton, do you think it’s right for me to keep Summer

a mellow voice, he

“I just feel that whatever

should tell Summer everything, all those times that Jared had visited her at the villa. But

was right. Summer would leave someday, eventually.

to acknowledge each other, but she continues to stay with us. They can come over every once in a while to see her. Would you be able to accept

thought about it. For Summer, that would mean a bigger family and

for a while before replying uncertainly, “Can

took my hesitation for agreement. “Of course!” he agreed

she saw Ashton and me enter, she came running and flew into his arms. At

for you!” Summer announced, putting on an air

laughter, Ashton asked, “What

out a sweet from her pocket, hiding it in the palm of her hand. It was all very obvious to us, but

instructed, “Give

and obediently did so. A sweet encased in a shiny wrapper dropped into

of myself. Children often derived joy from the most

swept her up in his hands and carried her over to the sofa.

sweet! My friend Dottie from school said that her uncle gave it to her aunt when they got married. It’s a lucky

pricked up at her last sentence and halted immediately, turning to look

happiness made a lovely