“I don’t know. I’ve leaving that up to my daughter and Blake.”
Heath didn’t appear convinced. “You are playing a dangerous game, my love.”
“I know, but one that’s necessary for my girls and for their father, if Eddie’s ever going to have a relationship with them again. It’s not for him as much as it is for Hillary and Marie.”
He accepted her decision, but she could see that he wasn’t completely on board. Not that she blamed him. Heath had no reason to champion Eddie, although he seemed to understand why she felt joining forces with Laura would help.
She gave him a few minutes to process and then added, “No one is more surprised than me to learn that Laura and I have more in common than you would assume.”
Heath locked eyes with her. “I doubt that.”
“We both love the same men.”
He snickered softly. “All right, I’ll concede that point.”
“We both want what’s best for our children.”
Heath hesitated. “Is this your way of telling me you want to get our children together and resolve their dislike of each other?”
“It would be ideal, if possible.”
“Now you’re really taking on more than either of you can handle.”
“Oh ye of little faith. Perhaps individually it would be, but working together, Laura and I see potential for healing all around.”
“I wonder if it’s possible,” Heath whispered.
“If we are going to stay together—”
“And we are,” he inserted.
“Yes, we are,” she agreed. “Then I would sincerely hope that I could at least be on friendly terms with your sons. If Adam accepts me, then I think in time Michael will, too.”
Heath shook his head. “I’d like that, Julia. I haven’t said much because I knew it would upset you. Since Michael and Adam found out about the two of us, my relationship with them has been strained.”
This was what Julia had feared most, and she wished Heath had said something sooner, although she didn’t know what she could have done.
“So you see this isn’t only about Eddie. Laura and I realize this is for us and all our children. We all have wounds, and some of them cut deep. Until we find a way to heal, they will continue to fester.”
Slowly Heath nodded. “I’m surprised at Lee. You said she was the one who contacted you?”
“Yes, and she did it out of love for Eddie.”
“And she’s willing to help forge a relationship with you and our boys?”
“Yes.” That was something else they were working on making right. It wouldn’t be easy; it wouldn’t be overnight, either. But it was important.
“I’m surprised you’re a willing partner in this, especially since Eddie cheated with her.”
“Ah, but, Heath, if it hadn’t been for Laura marrying Eddie, I would never have met you. To my way of thinking, I have a great deal for which to thank her.”
He grinned and leaned close to kiss her cheek. “Leave it to you to find the positive.”
“This is something I learned from my father. He was the one who reassured me when life turned bleak and I couldn’t see anything good coming out of it. He’d tell me: It’s better this way.
“Those are the very words I whispered when I signed the divorce papers, and at the time it seemed a stretch. Heath, it was because of that betrayal that I met you, and what we have, what we share, is by far better than anything I ever had with Eddie.”
Chapter 28
Heath didn’t have high hopes for this idea Julia and Lee had cooked up, but, having nothing better to offer, he went with it. All he could do was hope this fiasco didn’t explode back at them.
Michael and Adam had been cool toward Heath ever since they’d learned he was unwilling to let Julia go. He’d left no doubt about his feelings for her. His sons had let it be known in subtle and not-so-subtle ways that they strongly disapproved. They had repeatedly warned Heath he was setting himself up for a world of hurt with his involvement with that woman. Heath assured them he knew what he was doing, and he had the distinct impression they viewed him as an old fool. He very well might be an old fool, but he was a happy one.
His doorbell rang and, squaring his shoulders, he opened it to Michael and Adam. He’d invited his boys to watch the Seahawks play an away game. When he’d first mentioned it, they’d had a dozen excuses why they couldn’t join him. For the last month they had begged off several of his invitations. He’d asked again, and his voice must have relayed more than his words, because both boys agreed to spend Sunday afternoon with him.