Read Online Lost in His Arms by Carla Cassidy - Free Book Online

for yourself, then do it for Andrew. He needs you as his father, and he’s going to continue to need you for a very long time to come.”
    â€œYeah, some father I’ve been.” His voice held a heavy dose of self-condemnation.
    â€œYou’ve always been a good father,” she protested.
    He grinned, knowing she was being generous. His grin was a flash of something comfortable and familiar. “I’m a good father when I take the time to remember I’m a father.”
    She nodded, a lump growing large in her throat. “And that’s why you have to have the surgery.”
    â€œI know.” He stepped away from her. “And I’m going to have it. I’ve done a lot of thinking since getting the diagnosis.” Again he flashed his boyish smile. “There’s nothing like a little brain tumor for making a person reevaluate his priorities.”
    His smile faded. “I haven’t spent enough time with Andrew. I haven’t told him so many things I want him to know, important things that only a father can tell a son. I suddenly feel like I don’t have any time left.”
    â€œYou have years and years left,” Elizabeth said fervently.
    â€œI won’t lie to you, Elizabeth. I’m scared.”
    She fought the impulse to wrap him in her arms. She could offer him her strength, but knew Richard would ultimately have to find a well of strength within himself to meet the challenge ahead.
    â€œYou’re going to have that surgery, and they are going to get every bit of that tumor. You’re going to teach Andrew how to drive a car, and tell him all about girls, and be there when he makes you a grandfather.”
    He nodded, and studied her for a long moment. “I have a favor to ask you. I want Andrew to come and stay with me and Talbot in Morning View for the next couple of weeks.”
    A protest formed on Elizabeth’s lips, but Richardheld up a hand. “I want you there, too. I know Andrew hasn’t really spent enough time alone with me to be comfortable without you around for that length of time. I want some time with my family before I go into surgery.”
    â€œOh, Richard. I don’t think that’s such a good idea—”
    â€œPlease, Elizabeth. It would mean so much to me.”
    His gaze bore into hers, and she’d never felt so torn. She wanted to be there for Richard, not because she loved him as a woman loves a man, but rather as a dear friend. He was Andrew’s father, and she wanted to support him, be there for him.
    And yet…her mouth still burned from the fire of Talbot’s unexpected kiss, and the thought of staying in the McCarthy home with the two brothers caused her head to throb with tension.
    â€œDon’t answer right now,” Richard said. “I know you’ve been through a trauma of your own, and I’ve dumped a lot of stuff on you. I’ll head back to Morning View now and call you tomorrow.”
    She walked with him to the front door, her mind reeling with all the sensations, all the emotions the past three days had wrought.
    She knew she was on sensory overload, and when Richard left, she leaned against the door and fought the tears that threatened to overwhelm her.
    â€œMom?” Andrew appeared in the hallway.
    â€œHoney, what are you doing still awake?” Elizabeth pushed herself away from the door and shooed her son back into his bedroom. “It’s getting late, and you have school in the morning.”
    He climbed back into bed and she tucked the sheet around him. “Dad told me about his tumor when you weren’t here,” Andrew said. “He explained to me about the operation he’s got to have, and I heard him talking about us staying with him and Uncle Talbot for a while before he has the operation. Can we do it, Mom?”
    The words tumbled from him one right after another, and finally he closed his mouth, but his eyes spoke more