Forever Hers by Walters, Ednah (top 50 books to read txt) 📕

cake and conversation around the tables resumed, while the kids played with Raelynn’s new toys. A few times, he caught his father watching him with a frown. He had no idea what was going on, but it couldn’t be that bad. He didn’t care if his dad dated or remarried. It would be good for him.

An hour later, they said their goodbyes, everyone heading to their cars. His father shook Amy’s hand and said, “I hope we will meet again, Amy.”

“Me too, Commander Fitzgerald.”

“That’s too much of a mouthful. Call me Lou,” his father said.

Eddie was surprised and touched. His father took a long time to warm up to anyone. “I’ll walk you to your car, Dad.”

His father nodded then looked over at Lori. “Coming, pumpkin?”

“See you guys tomorrow.” Lori kissed Raelynn’s cheek then looped her arm around her dad’s and asked as they walked toward his truck, “Can I drive?”

His father chuckled. “I plan to get home in one piece and that’s not going to happen with you behind the wheel.”

Eddie walked behind them and waited until they reached his father’s Land Cruiser. “Okay, what’s going on?”

Lori shot Eddie a warning glance and murmured, “Be nice,” then she disappeared inside the SUV.

Now he was worried. “Dad?”

“There are official things we need to discuss but that can wait until tomorrow. I want you to come and see me at nine.”

His father was the second highest ranking officer at his station and the head of Commercial Crime Division, Eddie’s division. “Then what’s going on?”

“Your mother and I have been talking the last year. She has changed and has a lot of regrets about the choices she made. She would really like to see you.”

Eddie frowned. “Lori asked for her when you arrived. Is she here in L.A.?”

A smile and a brief scratch of his nape, a gesture Eddie associated with uneasiness, then his father looked him in the eye. “Yes, son. She is here in L.A. Your mother has finally come home.”

Something warm spread in Eddie’s chest. He didn’t try to analyze it. “So why didn’t she come with you? She could have met Amy and Raelynn.”

“I wanted her to, but she thought it might be, uh, uncomfortable.”

The warmth Eddie had felt disappeared. All his cousins and aunties never forgave his mother for leaving. “Of course she did, and we wouldn’t want her to be uncomfortable.”

“You don’t understand, son.”

“Oh, I understand, Dad. I’ll see you tomorrow in the office.” He turned and walked away, getting angry with himself for hoping that once, just once, his mother would think of someone else. She shouldn’t even matter anymore. He had Amy and Raelynn.

Amy studied him intently when he slid behind the wheel. He gave her a kiss, pressed his forehead to hers and closed his eyes.

“You okay?” she asked, rubbing his shoulder.

His eyelids lifted and he studied her beloved face. “I am now. Let’s go home.”

Raelynn was asleep by the time they arrived back at Eddie’s condo. He carried her to the room Amy had prepared earlier. Amy brought in the presents.

His family had gone overboard as usual. Not only had they made a big production of the party when he’d asked for something simple, they’d bought way too many presents. On the other hand, the look on Raelynn’s face had been worth it.

He could have done without the news about his mother. For one brief moment he’d been thrilled to hear that she was back. He should have known. People don’t change. Twenty years later and she still only thought of herself.

CHAPTER 19

“She was smiling in her sleep,” Amy said as they started downstairs. She laced her fingers with his. “When you do something, you do it big.”

Eddie frowned. “You didn’t mind, did you?”

“No. It was thoughtful and sweet. Are you okay? You’ve been quiet since we left your cousin’s. Actually, since you spoke with your father,” she corrected.

“I have a meeting with him tomorrow at nine.”

“Is that a good or a bad thing?”

His job was the least of his worries. “Unless Internal Affairs guys found something on my former partner, I don’t see how it can be a bad thing.”

“You still believe he’s clean?”

“Absolutely.” He stopped at the foot of the stairs and studied her face. She stood on the bottom step, which lowered the gap in their height. “We haven’t discussed tomorrow’s trip. Ashley and Jade both offered to keep an eye on Raelynn while we’re gone, but I told them we’re taking Lori with us. That’s still the plan, right?”

“Yes.” Frowning, she reached up and pushed back the lock of hair on his forehead. “You sure you are okay?”

He lifted her hand from his hair and pressed a kiss in her palm. “I’m cool. Would you like a drink? Coffee or maybe wine?”

“Are those the only options?”

“Yep. Lori got the bare essentials.” He retrieved a bottle of red wine from a cupboard and two glasses. He uncorked the wine then turned to watch Amy as she walked around. Familiar warmth spread across his chest. He didn’t know what it meant, but he loved it.

Earlier, Chase and Baron had teased him when he couldn’t take his eyes off her. That was the kind of the effect she had on him. She could be in a roomful of beautiful women and he’d only notice her.

The print dress caressed her curves when she moved, dipping and hugging her body at just the right places. The neckline was high and demure, but it didn’t hide the lushness of her beasts. Blood rushed to his groin as he imagined undressing her. He always loved unwrapping his presents.

Oblivious to his amorous thoughts, Amy opened the fridge and studied the contents—a container of milk, regular eggs, box of egg whites, coffee creamer, orange juice and regular and turkey bacon. He’d given his sister the list.

Closing the fridge door, Amy sashayed to where he stood by the kitchen counter, blue eyes sparkling with mischief.

“I wasn’t talking about a drink.” She looped