Page 77 of Heartbroken Husband
I found myself drumming my fingers on the steering wheel, glancing up into the rearview mirror every so often to check on her. She was bouncing as much as the seatbelt in her car seat allowed, singing along to every word like she was on stage herself, and I realized then that I’d actually had fun.
Lu was a handful, but I honestly enjoyed spending time with her. She challenged me, but that kept me on my toes and I liked it. I also just liked the energy both her and her sister werebringing to my life, the singing, and the swimming, and so many things I hadn’t done for so long.
When we got home, I pulled up in the driveway, expecting Lu to run inside to go see if her mom and sister were awake, but instead, she stuck with me as I offloaded the bike. “I don’t want the training wheels on. Those are for babies.”
“Are you sure?” I asked. “They also make it easier to?—”
“No training wheels,” she insisted, her little face a stoic mask of resolve. “I’m going to learn how to do it right.”
“Okay, then.” I set the bike down next to the car and glanced at the house. “Do you want to go get some breakfast first?”
“No. I’m okay. I had the donut.”
“Right, but that’s not exactly a nutritional way to start the day.”
“I had a banana too. Why do you run so much?” she asked, completely done with my other concerns.
I thought about my answer for a beat. “I’m training for a marathon in October. Are we going to do this thing?”
She nodded, listening to me when I walked her through what to do, and then giving it a try. She wasn’t loving it at all, but within half an hour, she was giving it her best shot and I was running in short bursts beside her, steadying her so she wouldn’t fall.
At least she’s got the helmet back on.
“Why do you want to run a marathon?” she asked at one point while she was stopped.
I opened my mouth to answer, but then I realized that I didn’t know what to say.I’m punishing myself? I’m beating my loneliness into submission by spending my free time huffing, puffing, and obsessing over my pace and stride length?
All of those were true, but I couldn’t exactly say it to a five-year-old. Eventually, I went with the simplest answer that was also still true.
“I like it,” I said. “It helps me relax.”
“Marathons?” she asked, her voice filled to the brim with doubt.
“Yeah. I know how it sounds, but after a long day at work, there’s nothing like getting out there and just running, and when I have a marathon to train for, it gives me a sense of purpose too.”
Her little head cocked. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Yes.” She got back on the bike. “I’m ready. Let’s try again.”
She took off like a bullet, and this time, she made it to the very end of the driveway, past the guesthouse, and all the way to the mailbox before wobbling into a shallow easement. I ran with her the whole way, cheering and encouraging her.
“You’re doing it, Lu!” I shouted. “You’re riding the bike. That’s it. Keep pedaling. Great! You’re doing it.”
When we finally came to a stop, she was beaming and she practically flung herself off the bike, throwing her arms open wide. I thought she was going to take a victory lap, but instead, she ran straight over to me. I dropped to my haunches just in time to catch her in a hug. I lifted her with me, tossing her into the air and laughing as I caught her again.
“Zach!” someone shouted from the house. “Lu!”
I turned with the little girl still in my arms to see Jennifer racing toward us. She was clearly thrilled too, her smile so wide, it practically swallowed her eyes as she ran.
Adeline wasn’t far behind her, standing on the porch with her coffee in her hands, and the way she was looking at me made me want to ensure this marriage happened.
At any cost.
Because damn, I could really, seriously get used to this.
CHAPTER 28
