Free Love's Embers (Canon City Series) by Lauren Marie

have meant you and me were related. I had a terrible crush on you back then.” He ran his hand through his long hair and coughed. “Anyway, when Mom came to see me, she said she was very disappointed with me. She asked what was I thinking when I killed my father. I told her that I was trying to save her ass.” He shook his head and his voice began to fade. “She frowned at me and said your father never would have hurt me. Christ, he beat her all the time, why on earth would I think he was trying to kill her? He was drunk as shit and had a death grip around her neck.” He went silent and squeezed his eyes shut. “Then came the real kicker. She said, you know, I never wanted a baby. Your father was Catholic so I couldn’t have an abortion. ”
    Lark’s heart was being ripped apart in her chest. A tear rolled down her cheek and she was unable to move or say anything. It was all she could do just to breathe. She couldn’t believe the hell Charlie lived through.
    “She stayed about ten minutes and when she left she said she didn’t expect to see me ever
    again. Great family, right? Gran told me she died a few years ago. So much for mending that fence.” He brought his eyes up to Lark’s and stared at her. “You are so beautiful and I see it. Crazy me, back then I thought we had a tight connection, but I got that letter the same day she visited. You were out here living life to the fullest and there I was unable to move anywhere without being watched. I did hate you and knew if I saw you I’d be a dick about what the cards dealt. I would have said something mean and would have hurt you worse. I cared for you too much to do that.”
    It was all she could do to keep from crying her eyes out. She moved up to him and put her hands up on his shoulders and then pulled him into a tight hug. She put her head on his chest and didn’t say anything. She felt his hands move around her waist and he tightened his hold.
    After a moment, she looked up at him again and touched his face. She pushed up on her toes bringing her lips to his and brushed them gently. “I’m sorry. I never knew, Charlie. I never meant to hurt you,” she whispered.
    He picked her up and lowered his head. She felt his lips and tongue graze against her mouth and she pulled to him tight. It was the kiss she remembered from so long ago and it warmed her, but the guilt in her heart stabbed at her. Tears continued to roll down her cheeks as they gently kissed.
    He brushed his hand through her hair. “Don’t cry Lark. It’s in the past. I know it.” He let her back down, but left his hand in her hair and massaged her neck. “You have nothing to be sorry for. I was too young and it was easier to run away.” He sniffed and chuckled. “You know what’s funny?” She shook her head. “At least we know what to do with our tongues now.”
    She wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her sweater and laughed. She looked back up at him. “If it’s any consolation, prom sucked. Zack got stoned with his buddies and I rode home with Jay Hager and his date.” She backed away and sniffed. “Talk about being a third wheel. I think it was all they could do to keep their hands off one another. I think they talked about getting married, but broke up after graduation. Zack works for his dad at the savings and loan and, yes, he’s still a jerk.” She leaned against the opposite wall and smiled at him. “We still have a lot of past to go through, Ducky. We both have a lot to forgive.”
    “And you’re supposed to be getting married New Year’s Eve, Lou.”
    Lark had an Oh right moment, but felt so elated they’d both used the nicknames from their childhood. “Feel like having an all night talk session? I’ll bring the tissues and vodka or maybe Gran’s hot chocolate.”
    “I don’t drink and I better get some more wood for the fire. It’s chilly in here,” Charlie said, grinning. “Aren’t you tired? You’ve had an upsetting evening so far.”
    “I think I’m