Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 58

"You still have me, kid."

As Conrad spoke, he patted the back of my head gently with his large hand before letting me go.

Even though I was never a crier, I could feel my tears suddenly rushing to my eyes and falling down my face.

I couldn't even stop them if I tried.

I didn't want the tears to actually fall. That would betray me.

I desperately tried to hold my tears in, but they refused to be held back. In fact, they flowed even more heavily the more I tried to stop them. All I could do was look away and refuse to let him see my pathetic display of feelings.

Conrad softly caressed my hair with his large hand. "It's not embarrassing to cry in front of me, remember?"

He had told me that once before."

He was reminding me of that again.

However, that situation was preying on the only bit of dignity I had left. I turned around so my back was facing him and quickly wiped my tears away.

I was trying to do and picked up my suitcase. "I'll put this in the car

he left, I covered my face with

allowed my tears to

and Zack were busy in the kitchen. Their joy at

I didn't want them to see my red, swollen eyes, and I didn't

staring off into the distance. He seemed to

tweaked the corners of his mouth.

me to fetch you?"

head and did my best to force out a smile. "You haven't been here in four years. The town has

didn't want him to

When I started the engine, he suddenly put a hand on the

smiled bitterly and took his hand

smaller and smaller behind me in the rearview

home of ten

Goodbye, my love.

from the

Bree didn't call me

home, put my suitcase down, and