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the cheeseburger.”
    Owen draped his arm over Karen’s shoulder. “And why I don’t get the cheeseburger—” he pointed toward Jack “—unless I’m with someone like this guy.”
    Karen wrinkled her nose. “Encouragement feels good.” Wyatt squalled, and she handed him another cracker. “I’m glad you’ve moved back here, Jack. You and Owen will be good for each other.”
    The front door of the restaurant opened, and Pamela and their daughters walked in, followed by Mike, Tammie, Kirk and Callie. Jack’s heart raced at the sight of his girls. Emma was so tall, and he could see Emmy’s dimples from across the room as she laughed at something Kirk said.
    They didn’t see him, and Jack contemplated whether he should wave or simply watch. When the hostess seated them on the other side of the diner, he decided to watch. Emmy sat with her back to him, but Emma sat beside her mother, facing him. He couldn’t believe how much alike they looked. It was like seeing Pamela in elementary school all over again.
    Someone said something, and they all laughed. Jack bit his lip, wishing he could go over there. Maybe he should. It wouldn’t be so bad. He had the right to see his daughters.
    “Don’t do it, man.”
    Jack blinked, his thoughts focusing again on the people in front of him. He looked at Owen and furrowed his brows. “What?”
    Owen glanced over his shoulder. “Not yet. You gotta talk with Pamela first.”
    “The girls might not even know you’re in Tennessee,” added Karen.
    Pamela looked his way. Their gazes locked. At first her expression lifted, and he thought she might smile. Then she squinted and a scowl marked her face. She stood and walked toward the restrooms. Jack stood, as well.
    “Man, don’t.”
    Jack glanced down at Owen. “I think she wants me to follow her.”
    “I’m not so sure that’s—”
    Jack didn’t wait for Karen to finish her sentence. He walked to the back of the diner and waited outside the ladies’ restroom. Pamela opened the door. Anger and bitterness filled her face in a way he’d never seen. She spat through gritted teeth, “If we’d known you were here, we wouldn’t have come.”
    Somehow he had to make her see he was a different man. That he’d never again hurt her or the girls. That God controlled his life, not the bottle.
    He thought of the conversation with Owen and Karen from only moments ago. For the rest of his life, he’d battle the bottle, but each day he stayed surrendered to God the temptation weakened. And Pamela and the girls could be additional encouragement. “Pamela, I—”
    “Jack, you’re not listening.” She pointed to her ear. “I don’t care what you have to say. My own parents want me to talk to you, but I don’t care.”
    His heart skipped when he heard Mike and Tammie had been talking to her, that they wanted to give him a second chance.
    “I’m different. I want you. I want—”
    She lifted her hand. “You have no right to want me.” She crossed her hands in front of her chest, then swiped them to each side. “None.”
    Bitter contempt radiated from her with such certainty, he took a step back. He loved Pamela. He wanted her as his wife again, but he’d have to start with the girls. She had to listen to him at least on that account. Any judge would side with him if he paid child support and stayed sober, and he had every intention of doing both. “The girls. I have the right to see them.”
    “You have no right. And if you step one foot toward our table, I will scoop up my children and walk out of this restaurant.”
    He felt as if he’d been punched in the gut as she stomped back toward the table. He heard Emmy ask her what was wrong. Pamela plastered a smile on her face. Sadness swallowed him as he shoved both fists in his jeans pockets. He could follow her, introduce himself to his daughters and demand the right to spend time with them, but that would put a rip between Pamela and him that might never be mended. God,