Finding Gavin (Southern Boys #2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

years of my life.
    How would I let go of all the hurt and anger in me? How could I forget the struggles my momma and I had gone through…or the nights we both cried ourselves to sleep?
    I’ve watched my momma struggle to keep her head above water on a daily basis. But we made it through and are stronger for it. We learned to rely on one another and let go of the man we both had hoped would return and make things right.
    He never looked back, and the hate grew daily.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Five
     
     
    “Acute Myeloid Leukemia,” I said, as I looked down at the cup of coffee in my hands. “He, um, he went through treatment last year. It went well apparently, because he was in remission.” I looked up at Kori from across the table. “Now I guess it’s back with a vengeance, and the treatments aren’t doing much for him. He has decided to um…” I took in a shuddering breath. “He’s not going forward with any other treatments. He has chosen to let go of life and say goodbye.”
    Kori stood up and walked around the table, taking me into her arms. I wiped away the tears that had run down my cheeks. “I don’t even know why I’m crying for that man.”
    “Because regardless of what he did, he’s still your dad. You don’t have to be tough all the time; you know that. It’s okay to cave and lean on someone for a change.” She stepped back and cupped my cheeks with her hands. “Maria, you are a compassionate, loving person. I know how your father’s leaving all those years ago has affected you. You don’t think you deserve anything good, but you are so damn wrong. You deserve the kind of happiness that leaves you feeling like you’re floating. Like nothing in the world could hurt, because the happiness you feel is too strong.”
    I stared back at her, as my throat burned from the intense feelings inside of me. “You need closure just as much, if not more, than he does. If you don’t take this trip, you’ll regret it later. I know you, and I know there are things you need to say, things you need to hear. It’s time to go say goodbye and let go of all the things that hold you back when it comes to your father.”
    That was all it took for the tears to spill over. Damn him for making me feel anything for him.
     
    ***
     
    The trip to Montana was uncomfortable. I had to miss out on the last two weeks of school. They called in a substitute to finish out the year.
    I shut down and curled into myself, as I dreaded seeing him again. I had no idea what to expect. I didn’t even know what I would say.
    What would he say?
    When we pulled up to the rundown property with the shutters weathered and worn, I was shocked. I had pictured him living in luxury. I figured he’d have sprawling land with a big old beautiful home, but not this. It almost looked deserted, with tall grass and weeds growing along the garage. There was a rundown old truck I remembered as the one my dad used to drive when I was a toddler. Some of the pictures my momma still had of him showed that very same truck. Now it was deserted and rusted.
    My eyes immediately connected with Jake’s in confusion. “Everything’s not what it seemed, Mar. He lost the Custom woodworking business; he lost everything. All the tools, saws and equipment—it’s all gone.” I was dumbfounded and confused as hell.
    My brothers climbed from the truck and grabbed my momma’s hand to help her down. I followed behind, as all three of them walked toward the front door. With each step my chest grew tighter.
    I stood on the front porch even after they had all entered the house. I was suddenly terrified of what I might see once I entered. It was as if my feet were so heavy I couldn’t lift them.
    Randall stepped out onto the front porch and I blinked up at him. He looked just like the pictures Momma had from when Daddy was younger. He was handsome.
    “Hey, little bean,” he whispered cautiously.
    The emotions overtook me. It was hopeless to attempt to