Only You (Adair Family #5)(53)

A man driven by his trauma and his fears.

Someone I was ashamed of.

Yet a man could change, couldn’t he? A person could become better than they were before?

I turned around and bent down into the car.

Monroe’s wide eyes held mine.

“No.”

She raised a brow. “What?”

“Not goodbye.” Determination filled me. “I’ve spent my life running from anything that might hurt me, but I’m done. I know with my very being that I will never intentionally hurt you again.”

“Brodan—”

“You don’t believe me. I know. I understand why. But you will believe me, eventually. I’m going to prove it. Just give me time.”

“For what purpose?” She looked so exhausted I wanted to take her in my arms and keep her there forever.

However, patience was required for that outcome.

“To be with you,” I answered honestly.

Her lips parted in shock.

“I want what I could have had if I hadn’t acted like a frightened wee boy when we were kids. I want you.” Deciding she’d had enough shocks for one day, I gave her a small smile and stood up to close her door.

The memory of her stunned expression made me smile sadly to myself as I walked toward my SUV. Patience wasn’t one of my virtues, but for Monroe, I’d have all the patience in the world. Fear lingered in the background, just as Lachlan had warned, but I was done letting it win.





21





Monroe





I still wasn’t quite sure how this had happened.

One minute I’d been sitting in the caravan, marking my kids’ jotters, watching the sky darken before four thirty. And in what seemed like the next minute, I was standing in Mackennon Galbraith’s cottage.

The knock landed on the door after the grind of kicked-up gravel drew me to the caravan window. To my surprise, two SUVs had parked beside my car, and then two very tall men jumped out of them. The security light outside the caravan door revealed them, and I drew in a breath at the sight of Brodan and Mac.

What the hell were they doing here?

The last few days had taken their toll. I was emotionally and physically drained by what had been revealed, still reeling from Brodan’s pronouncement that he wanted me.

As much as I hated to admit it, a small part of me still belonged to the girl from the past, and she experienced a flare of relief and exultation. However, grown-up me didn’t believe him. He was guided (or misguided) by guilt, and soon enough he’d realize what a mistake the two of us were together. We were from different worlds now. I was a primary school teacher, and he was a famous Hollywood actor. We made little sense. But the most important roadblock between us was my lack of trust in him.

I’d promised myself after the relationship with Steven turned violent that I’d never again allow a man to treat me like his punching bag, emotionally or physically.

Brodan’s vow to never mistreat me felt like an empty pledge in the face of his past actions.

Which was why I was genuinely surprised to see him the evening after our moment in my car, now standing on the caravan steps with Mac.

I opened the door, licking my lips in nervousness, and Brodan stared at me wide-eyed for a second. Mac nudged him and cleared his throat. Brodan blinked rapidly and then walked right in.

Huffing in exasperation, I stepped back to allow Mac in too. They dwarfed the caravan as they looked around the small space. “Uh … can I help you?”

Brodan turned to me, his expression granite with determination. “It’s Baltic in here, and you’re not staying in this death trap any longer.”

“Excuse me—”

“He’s right,” Mac cut me off. “Gordon’s caravan is old. It’s not built with the proper insulation like the newer models in his park. You can’t stay here in the winter, Monroe.”

I raised an eyebrow at their bossiness. “You must be Mac.”

He held out his hand. “Apologies. Mac Galbraith. Nice to officially meet you.”

Shaking his big hand, staring up close into his ruggedly handsome face, I could certainly see the attraction. Brodan and Lachlan were the tallest of the Adairs, but Mac had height even on them. I was tiny next to him, and he was overwhelmingly masculine. “You too. Though I’m still confused by what you both expect to achieve here.”

Brodan grinned at my schoolteacher voice, and I grew still at the affection in his smile. I hadn’t seen that look in eighteen years. “We’re moving you out. Right now.”

Flabbergasted, I threw my hands up. “To where?”

“My cottage on Castle Street,” Mac supplied, his gaze darting around the caravan again. “I have a tenancy agreement in the car you can read over. For now, let’s get you packed up. Any of the kitchen appliances belong to you?”

I shook my head, too flustered to speak.

“Okay. I don’t think we’ll need too many boxes, but I’ll grab some from the car.” Mac disappeared out of the caravan.

I whirled on Brodan already walking toward the bedroom. “What are you doing?”

“Do you have a suitcase in here?”

“Under the bed,” I answered without thinking. “Brodan! You can’t just barge in here and take over.”