Love Will Find a Way by Barri Bryan Page B

her. “I thought you'd be glad."
    Why would she be glad to see him suffer? If he felt half the pain she had experienced when he left her, he must be in agony. “Is there any hope of reconciliation?"
    "None, it's over."
    "Maybe...” Emily began.
    "Drop it, Emily.” Robert ordered. “For God's sake, let it go."
    "Is there something I can do?” Was she out of her mind, making such an offer?
    One of his eyebrows lifted in surprise. “Do you mean that?"
    It was too late to back down now. “I do."
    Robert swallowed. “I'd like to mend the rift between me and my sons."
    That was something Emily wanted, too, as much for her sons as for their father. “I'd like that, too."
    Hopefully he asked, “Do you think things can ever be the way they were before?"
    She didn't. After a painful silence, she said so and then added, “But that doesn't mean they can't get better than they are now."
    "What do you suggest I do?"
    Once again Emily argued with herself and once again, she let her heart rule her head. “This estrangement didn't happen overnight. It will take time to mend."
    Robert was having trouble controlling his voice. “I have the rest of my life."
    She thought that it might take that long to reconcile with Kevin. Larry was not nearly so antagonistic toward his father. Could she handle being near Robert for an extended length of time and not make a fool of herself? For her sons, she could. “If Larry could see that you and I had resolved our differences, it would be a start."
    Robert reached out his hand as if to touch her and then let it fall to his side. “Have we resolved our differences?"
    "As well as we ever can. Why don't we forget about ourselves and concentrate on our children?"
    Robert shrugged. “If that's what you want, who am I to argue?"
    After a moment's thought, Emily said, “Maybe we could demonstrate to Larry that we are on friendly terms again.” From the blue, an idea came. “Remember how we drove to Austin with Kevin and helped him settle in his dorm?"
    "We were so proud of him.” Remembering brought a smile to Robert's face. “And he was so excited."
    Emily tapped her fingers on the steering wheel. “Maybe we should do the same for Larry.” She pushed down an inner voice of caution. “If you have time, that is. I know you're very busy."
    "I'm not too busy. I'd like that very much.” His eyes held a mixture of hope and pain. “Thank you, Emily. I know I have no right to ask for your help, not after all I've done to you."
    So he was still feeling guilty. There was a way she could alleviate some of his suffering. “Not all the recent changes in my life have been bad ones. I have a new career now and a new life."
    Robert's voice was accusing. “You make the divorce sound like a blessing."
    His bitter words stung. She retaliated by saying, “Maybe, in a way it was."
    "Do you really believe that?” Was he hurt or relieved? She couldn't tell.
    Pride brought Emily's chin up and strengthened her voice. “In many ways my life is better than it ever was before."
    Robert shifted in his seat and stared out the windshield. “I'm glad to hear that."
    Emily was feeling a little restless herself. “Then stop looking so guilty. I'm a very resourceful person. I can make it on my own."
    He kept his face averted. “I hope that's true, but I worry sometimes. I don't want you to be hurt again."
    Once again she reminded him, “I'm no longer your concern."
    From out of the blue, he blurted out, “You can't trust a man like Thad Thackery."
    She should have told him that Thad was only a friend. She couldn't bring herself to do that. By his own admission, Robert's love for her had died a slow death. It soothed her battered pride to have him believe another man might care. “I've learned not to expect too much from any man."
    "I have no right to intrude into that area of your life, but—"
    "That's right, you don't,” Emily interrupted. “You're stretching the limits of friendship."
    He shifted again and