Free Blindsided (Indigo Love Spectrum) by Tammy Williams Page B

but I didn’t want to pile on too much at once.”
    “So, you’re not sick?”
    “I’m the picture of health, baby, really.”
    R eese sighed in relief. “Thank God. So what’s with all this talk about my father?”
    “I’ve mentioned Ben’s desire to do relief work in Africa.”
    “Yeah, and I think it’s great.”
    “It is great. A lot needs to be done over there, and they need all the help they can get. Ben’s leaving for Uganda after the wedding, and I’ve decided—”
    “Whoa!” Reese broke in, getting a sinking feeling where this was going. “You’re not going with him, are you?”
    “Sweetheart, I know this is sudden and unexpected, but I need you to understand.”
    “Understand what? You leaving me to run off to Africa with your new husband! I guess that explains your sudden urge for me to know my father.”
    Tears filled her mother’s eyes. Regret grabbed Reese by the throat. “I’m sorry, Mom. I should’ve said that better.”
    “People don’t tend to think when they’re angry.”
    “I know, but I’m sorry I hurt you. It’s just . . . You have to know how this looks to me. You’re leaving the country at the exact time you decide it’s time for me to know my father.”
    “You’re right, Reese, this looks one way, but my deci sion to go to Africa came after I decided it’s time you met Norris.”
    “That’s his name? Norris?”
    “Yes, Norris Converse. He’s an accountant in town. You need to know coming to this decision wasn’t easy. I s truggled with this, but I realized it was something I had to do.” Gail pressed her hand to Reese’s cheek. “I’m so selfish when it comes to you,” she said with a kiss to Reese’s forehead. “For sixteen years I had you to myself, and even when you asked about your father, I fought you. I didn’t want to share you. I realize I was wrong, but it doesn’t make sharing you easier.”
    “Mom . . .”
    “No, let me finish. Self-reflection can be very hard, especially when you find things you don’t particularly like. I’ve made some mistakes in raising you, in keeping your father from you, and I’m trying to make that right. You need to know Norris, and I need to let that happen without interfering the way I know I would if I were around. Baby, I don’t want to do this, but I need to. My saving grace is knowing you’ll get to know your father while I’m in Africa helping to save lives.”
    Reese clasped her hands around her mother’s. “Mom, you’re working under the assumption that my father, this Norris, wants to get to know me. Maybe he doesn’t.”
    “No, he does. He wants to have brunch with us tomorrow.”
    Reese sighed. Meet her father tomorrow? She released her mother’s hands and eased further down the couch. This was happening way too fast. “I don’t know about all this.”
    “Reese, I would never entertain the notion of leaving you if I thought for one second you wouldn’t be in good hands.”
    “ But these hands belong to a stranger, Mom. You only knew him for a short while, and I don’t know him at all.”
    “You’re right, my time with Norris was short, but it was profound. It gave me you.” Gail smiled. “As nervous as you are about this meeting, I’m sure Norris is feeling the same.”
    “I guess he might be feeling more. I always knew he existed, but he never had a clue about me.”
    “That’s another reason I think my going away is important. Six months won’t make up for the sixteen years he’s missed, but it will give you both some much- needed time alone.”
    Reese groaned as butterflies flitted in her stomach. “This alone thing, Mom. Do you really think that’s a good idea? If we’re both nervous and tentative, how are we going to get any bonding done? Will we be living together?”
    “I’ve thought about that. I do want you to spend time with Norris, and living together is a consideration, but if you’re not comfortable with that, I’ve made arrangements for you to stay