Broken Wings (A Romantic Suspense)(45)

“Jealous of me?”

“She wants to know her brother. She’s only ever spoken to him on the phone. Hopefully if we give them a moment alone he can introduce himself properly and they’ll stop giving you the eye.”

I nod and stand up. “Thank you.”

“What you said, about disgusting us. It’s not true.”

I blurt out, “I’m ugly,” without thinking.

“You really believe that, don’t you?”

I nod, slowly and sadly.

“I don’t think you are. Jack is over the moon for you. I can see it in the way he looks at you.”

I smile a little in spite of myself. I am almost starting to believe.

“You’re not ugly,” she says. “Do you like to read?”

I blink a few times. “Yes. Why?”

“Just curious. You spend a lot of time reading?”

“Yeah.”

“I was an English major. I met Jack’s father while I was in school. We went to Penn State together.”

“Ah,” I say. “He was an English major?”

“No, business. He was there marking time, really. His grades were bought; there are a few buildings there with his father’s name on them. Not to say he was a poor student. Jack inherited that from him. He was always so smart, so ahead in school, and he did very well in his studies and in the military. He has a really sharp mind.”

She kneads a towel in her hands. “I’d hoped he’d stay in the military and stay away from his father.”

I swallow against a dry throat. “Are you upset that he came back for me?”

She looks up, tilts her head to the side, and smiles in a distant, soft way. “No, of all the things to come back for, I’m glad he chose that. I’m starting to believe he really loves you.”

“I don’t know why.”

I flinch as she reaches out and brushes my hair back. I can barely feel her running her nails over my scars.

“This isn’t you,” she says. “You read a lot of romance novels, don’t you?”

I blink and nod. “How did you know?”

“You’re scarred, but you’re not ugly. A physical defect doesn’t make someone ugly, sweetheart. Beauty and ugliness come from here,” she touches her chest, “inside, where the real person is. Jack’s father was an Adonis when he was Jack’s age. I mean, handsome wasn’t even enough to describe him. He was magnificent.”

Her eyes un-focus a little, like she’s still seeing him that way.

“He just might be the ugliest man in the world.”

I nod. “I know you mean well, but I know what I look like.”

“Yes,” she says. “You do. I’m not going to lie to you, Ellie. Sooner or later you’re going to meet people who can’t handle your appearance, who are mean or cruel to you because you don’t look like everyone else. That won’t be because you’re ugly, it’ll be because they are.”

“I don’t know. I don’t really spend time with anybody but my mom. The wedding was the first time I’ve been out in public since the accident.”

“When Jack looks at you, he doesn’t see the scars, honey.”

“What does he see?”

“You’ll have to ask him. I have to know something, hon. Jack says you’re getting married.”

“Yeah, that’s the plan. Apparently.”

“You sound unsure.”

I sigh and start pacing the kitchen. “This all happening so fast. A week ago I hadn’t spoken to Jack for almost ten years. Then she shows up and… He told me to come with him, and I said yes. He told me to stay with him, and I said yes. He says he wants to marry me, so I said yes.”

“Are you afraid you’re doing the wrong thing?”

I nod. “I am. I’m scared. What if we get married and then he doesn’t want me anymore? It hurts just to think about it. It hurts me here.” I clutch my fist over my heart.

“You need to talk to him about it. Really talk.”

“I know.”

“Do you want to go back out into the dining room and eat?”

I think about that for a moment. I keep expecting the girls to be disgusted by me, but they don’t seem to be. Jack’s mom hands me a tissue and I swipe at my eye. I know I look a little red and raw, but I open the doors and step out anyway. The kids have finished their food and run back out into the living room. They must have the day off for some reason.

I sit down next to Jack and start nibbling on my sandwich. I can’t take big bites, so it takes me a while to eat. He slips his arm around me while his mother sits at the head of the table.

My head falls on Jack’s shoulder and I sigh.

“My husband will be home around five,” his mom says.

“I haven’t had the pleasure. We’ll leave if you want,” Jack says.

His mother looks at the wedge of sandwich she’s eating. “I’ll keep him calm. He’s going to be upset to see you here, Jack. Your father is not a welcome topic of conversation in this house.”

“Good thing I’m not my father,” Jack says sharply.

“If Richard learns you’re here, there could be trouble,” his mother says quietly.