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.

picked up my suitcase. "I'll put this

I covered my face

my tears to pour down my

went downstairs, both Bree and Zack were busy in the kitchen. Their joy at their son's return had outweighed the

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

me in front of the car while staring off into the distance. He seemed to be thinking

he saw me, a mild smile tweaked the corners of his mouth.

me to fetch you?"

to force out a smile. "You haven't been here in four years. The town has changed a lot. You're going to get lost." His smile widened ever

shoes instead of talking to him directly. I didn't want him to see my reddened eyes. "I'm leaving now. I'll

driver's seat. When I started the engine, he suddenly put a hand on the window and asked, "Where are you staying now? Can you tell me?" I tightened

his hand off the window. "Drive

the car passed the threshold, I looked at the house growing smaller and smaller behind me in the rearview mirror as

home of

Goodbye, my love.

me from the

call me because

my suitcase down, and did