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Because he wanted to keep her safe Wanted to keep their baby safe

He’d left when she’d asked hi she had been too upset to have the talk they needed to have, sensing that the eh He’d been fine on his drive hoh the front door But when he’d crawled into his bed, alone, he’d done what he hadn’t done in years Not since right after Sandra and Shelby’s accident He’d been fairly positive there were no tears left inside hihter died in the ER had been his first clue heHe’d felt a crack in the protective wall that guarded his heart Making love with Abby had sent a whole lot of bricks turound Bricks he’d needed to keep himself safe

But with Abby, she caht through the barriers around his heart, leaving him vulnerable

Leaving hihting to keep froether but as much as he’d enjoyed the passion they’d shared, he hadn’t enjoyed how much he’d needed her, how connected he’d felt to her, howhappened to Abby

She’d been right about him He had kept his fath How could he not? He’d always been the strong one in the family, but after Sandra and Shelby’s deaths, he hadn’t been strong

He’d hated the him that way

Hated anyone seeing him that way

So he’d shut them out

No wonder they’d held an intervention

He’d needed one And more

He’d needed Abby, so th, too, for fear of loving again, of possibly losing that love again

Need had won out Need and so much more

He loved Abby And wanted to risk holding her and the baby they’d made close to his heart

But judging by the way she hadn’t returned his calls, had all but ignored hiht have realized too late

God, he couldn’t lose Abby In her, he’d found his salvation Had found hiain