CHAPTER 12
Of all the things for Tyler to ask Ares for, of all the things to even bring up today, Kelsey couldn’t believe he’d chosen forgiveness.
It was too soon to even broach the idea. Ares was already on the edge dealing with the fact that his mother was back and in his house, topped with learning he had a brother and sister. He needed a heck of lot more time to consider forgiving his mother.
If that was even possible, given the hellish place she’d left him in.
A muscle was jumping in his jaw—and his siblings looked desperately hopeful. It was the worst possible scenario, certain to end in disappointment and deeply ravaged emotions for everyone involved.
Kelsey hoped she could do something, say something to salvage the tentative bond Ares and his brother and sister had begun to forge
over pizza and conversation. He was clearly impressed with their smarts, their courage, and their fierce protection of their mother.
She needed to remind him of all those things. Thank God she had several years of experience with family therapy to draw from.
“I’m really proud of the three of you.” Every eye turned to her. “The way you’ve spoken so honestly with one another today isn’t
easy. Not even for family members who’ve known each other their whole lives.”
Kathy abruptly reached for Ares hand. “I know this has all come as a huge shock, but I’m so happy to meet you. And to have another
brother. One I already know I’m totally going to like.”
Kelsey choked up as Tyler nodded. “You could have kicked us to the curb and shut Mom down completely. But you haven’t.” He
swallowed hard. “Whatever you decide from here on out, you’re a good man. And I’m proud to know you’re my brother.”
For several long moments, Ares didn’t speak. He was too good at burying his emotions. It wasn’t his way to put his feelings out there
for everyone to read, but since his return from his self-imposed exile in Europe, he’d armored up like every day was war. Even his
apologies to Sally, George, and the Baddricks, though heartfelt, had still masked his deeper emotions.
The only time his guard had dropped was the moment he’d kissed her in Chicago, with snow falling all around them.
Finally, Ares said, “We should all exchange contact information.” He reached for his cardholder in his pocket—like a true investment
banker, he was never without it—and handed one to each of them.
Tyler and Kathy gave him their own cards with huge smiles transforming their faces. Though there was no discernible change in his expression, Kelsey silently applauded this major step for Ares. She was proud of him for not cutting them off entirely. And her heart bubbled over with joy for him and these true blood relations who’d managed to find him.
Even if her own blood relation had proven herself beyond redemption.
As if she’d conjured Keira up, Kelsey’s phone suddenly jumped in her pocket. Her heart was in her throat as she slipped it out just
far enough to see the name on the screen.
Keira.
“How about we walk off some of this pizza in the garden while we wait for Tessa to come back out?” Ares suggested. “I’ll have Mrs.
M. bring her out to us when she’s ready.”
“Actually,” Kelsey said, “I’ve got to deal with a quick phone call that just came in, so I’ll wait for your mom inside.”
As the three siblings headed outside, it struck Kelsey how they were not only similar in looks, they also moved with the same long-
limbed grace and confidence that belied their humble childhoods.
Pulling the phone from her pocket, she saw that Keira had left a message. Odds were her sister had finally returned from the south of
France and was still hoping to convince Keira to change her mind about whose side she should choose.
Kelsey deleted the voice mail without even blinking. She couldn’t talk to Keira after Ares kiss, couldn’t bear to listen to her sister
cajole and rationalize.
She stuffed the phone back in her pocket, metaphorically shoving her sister away too, then headed toward the guest bathroom to wait
for Tessa to emerge.
When the door opened a short while later, Tessa’s face was moist and shiny, as if she’d patted herself down with cool water.
“I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“That’s very kind.” Tessa clasped her hands tightly in front of her and studied the floor.
“I’m sure it must be a shock, seeing your son again and learning that your husband has been dead for many years,” Kelsey said.
“It’s a lot to take in,” Tessa agreed, her voice the same soft, timid tone in which she’d spoken most of the afternoon. “But I’m not
surprised about Ares father.” Not her husband, but Ares father. “The drinking finally took its toll on him.”
And talking about the drinking was the perfect segue for Kathy. “I know this isn’t my business.” She fully intended to say it,
however. “But your daughter told us about Paul, and I want you to know that you don’t have to take abuse from anyone. If you ever
need to talk things out, I’m a family therapist—you can call me anytime. I’ll give you my number.”
“Thank you. But it’s really not as bad as the Kathy and Tyler think. It’s not like it was with…” She paused, breathed deeply, then
finally looked Kelsey in the eye. “With Ares father.”
Who was the woman trying to convince, herself or Kelsey?
“The bruises Paul left weren’t real?”
“They were,” Tessa admitted. She looked back down at the floor before adding, “But he didn’t mean to do it. He just got excited.
And he apologized.”
Kelsey dipped her head, trying to meet Tessa’s gaze once more. “How many times did Ares father apologize?”
Tessa laughed without a single trace of humor. “He never apologized. We got married when I got pregnant, and he was mad about the
baby.” Her voice dropped low. “We ruined his life.”
“Those years must have been very hard on you.” Kelsey sympathized with the choices a young woman had to make, feeling trapped
and terrified and not knowing how to get out until the day she had to make a heart-wrenching choice.
Tessa bit her lip. “It was a very difficult time.”
“I’m sure it was. But can you see how things escalate? You get a bruise, but there’s an apology, and you think it will get better.” She
took a chance and reached out to squeeze Tessa’s clasped hands. “You might think that because Paul apologized the way your
husband never would, that the same bad things won’t happen to you down the line.”
“It was only the one time. Don’t people deserve a second chance?”
Kelsey was a big believer in second chances. And forgiveness. But some things were unforgivable. Like what Keira had done to
Ares. And what Ares father had done to everyone. “A real man never hurts a woman or a child. Has Paul ever yelled before? Gotten
angrier than the situation warranted? Even if he didn’t touch you.”
“I—” Tessa shook her head, then straightened her back a moment later, once again meeting Kelsey’s gaze. “He has. When he drinks
too much.”
“Then do you really want this person in your life? Because you deserve a man who treats you with respect. Men who are like your
sons.”
Tessa’s lips pursed a moment, as if she was holding her breath. Then she said, “Do you think Ares believes that’s what I deserve?”
“Of course he does. He would never want you to be with anyone who leaves bruises on you. What happened in the past doesn’t make
any difference to that.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“I’m sure because I know your son. He’s a caring, loyal man.”
“But can he ever forgive me?”
Kelsey felt her heart contract—actually squeeze down tight behind her rib cage—with anguish for this woman, as well as for Ares.
But she never lied to her patients, and though Tessa Lowells wasn’t her patient, she wouldn’t lie to her either.
“Ares and I have been friends for almost ten years, and I do believe he’s capable of forgiveness. But seeing you again has been very
shocking and sudden for him. Whatever happens between the two of you, whatever hurdles you need to get past—it’s going to take
some time. And as much as I wish it were so, there are no guarantees when it comes to love.”
It was something Kelsey knew all too well, given her decade of unrequited feelings for Ares.
“I knew it was too soon,” Tessa lamented. “We should have written first. But Kathy and Tyler insisted we come today. They were
convinced he’d understand. But how can he when I did the worst thing a mother could possibly do to a child? I abandoned him to a
monster.”
Kelsey rubbed Tessa’s arm in comfort. “Today was just the first step. You were strong enough to take this one by coming to see Ares
today. Which means you’re strong enough to keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles.” She paused to let the words sink in,
then added the zinger. “But you need to make a decision about Paul right away. He doesn’t sound like someone I’d want in my life,
and though I don’t know you very well yet, he’s not someone I want in yours either.”
With a sigh, Tessa finally whispered, “He’s got issues. But without him—”
“You will find a man so much better for you.”
“I’m too old.”
“Never,” Kelsey chided. “You underestimate yourself, how well you’ve raised your two wonderful children on your own, how
you’re absolutely capable of being independent again. And it sounds like you’re also underestimating the wonderful person you
could meet if you gave yourself a chance.” Then she smiled. “So ditch the dirtbag.”
She was more than a little surprised when Tessa smiled back, small and tentative, but a smile nonetheless. “You’re right. And I’m so
glad Ares is with a wonderful woman like you.”
The surprising statement knocked the smile right off Kelsey’s face. “We’re not together. We’re just friends.” Friends who kissed each
other breathless not forty-eight hours ago. “He’s married to my sister,” she reminded Tessa.
“But they’re getting a divorce, aren’t they?”
“They are.”
“Then why can’t you be together?”
Kelsey wasn’t used to people asking her the hard questions. Especially ones that tapped into every last one of her longings.
“It’s complicated,” was the best reply she could come up with.
This time, Tessa was the one reaching for Kelsey. One woman to another, both who loved the same man—one as a mother, one as so
much more than just a friend..
* * *
As soon as Kathy spotted Kelsey and Tessa entering the garden together, she made a beeline for them. “Are you okay, Mom?”
“I am.” Tessa didn’t look quite as pale or beaten down as she had when she left the dining room. “I know how worried you’ve been.
So I’ve made the decision not to see Paul anymore.”
Tyler grinned wide as Kathy covered her mother’s hand with hers. Kelsey thought hope flashed in Ares eyes, but it was gone before
she could be certain.
“That’s great, Mom. But you can’t do it just so we don’t worry about you.” Kathy faced her mother earnestly. “You have to do it for
yourself.”
Her mother nodded. “Kelsey asked me some questions I didn’t like the answers to. And it makes me realize I need to make a
change.”
“Then I’m so glad.” Kathy’s sigh of relief was loud and clear as she pulled her mother into a hug. With Tessa’s face turned away, she
mouthed, Thank you, to Kelsey.
“We’ve taken up enough of your time,” Tyler said to Ares. “And we’ve got a long drive back to Modesto. Plus, Kathy has to work
tomorrow. But I’ll spend the night at Mom’s since I don’t have to get back until Tuesday.”
Tyler was giving them notice: They wouldn’t be leaving Tessa alone, at least not yet.
That was a good thing. Kelsey wasn’t sure how long Tessa’s resolve would last, especially if Paul showed up with more of his so-
called apologies.
After a deep breath, Tessa turned to Ares, her smile tentative, her gaze still wary. “I’ve missed you.”
Just as he had when his siblings said how happy they were to find him and how proud they were to have him as their brother, he
seemed utterly lost for words. And as he had then, he reached for his cards and a small pen in his jacket.
“Write your phone number on the back of my card.”
Though he hadn’t said he’d missed her too, his mother looked ecstatic to give him her number, though her hand trembled as she
wrote. When Tessa finally smiled, the expression transformed her face, momentarily revealing the beauty hidden beneath years of
pain and abuse and guilt.
As Kelsey and Ares watched the three of them climb into their car and drive away a few minutes later, she wanted to believe this was
a huge step for him. That change was in the air.
But the truth was that nothing was certain right now. Not how he felt about his mother or siblings.
And especially not how he felt about her.
