Forever My Baby

by Jacquelin Thomas

  Ryker resisted the urge to shift under her probing gaze. “I just want to make sure the girls are happy.”

  “They are happy, but I need to know something from you, Ryker,” she said. “Are you okay with this arrangement? I need to know the truth.”

  “It seems to be the best we can do for now.” he responded. “I’m glad that we have reconnected, Garland. There was a piece missing and I’m now realizing that part was you. I have to be honest with you, Garland. I’ve missed you as much as I’ve missed your brother.”

  * * *

  She and Ryker spent the next hour watching TV and laughing with the girls. When Kai began to yawn and become cranky, he decided it was time for them to head back to Charleston.

  It was also Amya’s bedtime.

  Garland walked Ryker to the door. He carried Kai in his arms.

  “I’ll see you soon,” she told Kai. “I’ll give you a call, Ryker,” she said as she closed the door behind them.

  Ten minutes later, her doorbell rang.

  Garland stepped aside to let Trina enter the house. “I thought maybe you changed your mind about coming over.”

  “Did I just see Ryker DuGrandpre leaving here?” When Garland nodded, she added, “How’s it going between you two?”

  “Fine,” Garland responded.

  At that moment Amya ran out of her bedroom, her eyes searching. “Daddee...”

  “He’s not here, honey. He and Kai went home.”

  “No,” Amya responded.

  Garland picked up her daughter. “You’ll see him on Saturday.”

  Trina met Garland’s gaze. “Did she say what I think she said?”

  She nodded. “Amya adores him. When Ryker was over here, she completely ignored me. I guess she has really been missing out on a father figure in her life.”

  “Kai looks like you from what you’ve told me,” Trina stated. “She is a miniature you.”

  Garland broke into a smile. “She’s so smart. Trina, you should see the two of them together. They get along so well.”

  “Like siblings.”

  She nodded. “I’d like to raise them as sisters.”

  “What does Ryker want to do?”

  “We haven’t really talked about it in depth,” Garland replied. “Our focus has been allowing the girls to get to know one another. We both feel it is for the best. Amya hates to see them leave. She gets so upset.”

  The truth was that Garland hated the thought of leaving Amya with Ryker—not being there to see what happened, what she said and what they did.

  “So, do you think you and Ryker will reconnect?” Trina questioned. “He’s a handsome man and a successful lawyer.”

  “That’s not where my head is at, Trina.”

  “I don’t know why not,” she stated. “That man is near perfection.”

  Garland laughed. “Then maybe you should date him.”

  “I don’t think he’s interested in me—Garland.”

  “Ryker is just being nice, Trina. Don’t read any more into it,” Garland stated. “I’m certainly not going to, although he did invite me to be his date at his parent’s anniversary party next weekend. It’s only because of Kai and Amya, though.”

  “Or he might actually want to spend some time with you, Garland.”

  “His marriage will always be a wall between us.”

  “His wife is dead,” Trina said gently. “Ryker may still love her, but she is no longer here in this world.”

  “Ryker is still grieving for Angela and is still very much in love with her. Trust me. There is no room in his heart for anyone else except his daughters.”

  * * *

  Kai cried during the first ten minutes of the drive back to Charleston. The tears became whimpers until she fell asleep.

  Ryker’s mind raced, jumping from one idea to another, never settling on one. Garland still haunted him. He was not able to get her out of his mind, and with that came guilt. He felt like he was cheating on Angela, although nothing sexual had happened between them. He had not even kissed her, but he thought about it often.

  He tried unsuccessfully to convince himself that she was just another woman, but he knew that was a lie. Garland was special. She was not a woman on the prowl or a superficial socialite.

  The years had been good to Garland. Her curves were more pronounced now that she had given birth. Her gorgeous hazel eyes had a hypnotic quality to them.

  Garland was more than beautiful and sexy. She was also very intelligent. Despite her family background, she was determined to make a success out of her life. He admired her hunger and motivation to turn things around for herself.

  He was proud of her accomplishments. Ryker glanced heavenward and whispered, “Your sister has done well, Parker. I know you’ve been looking out for her all these years. Hey, if you see Angela, tell her that I love and miss her.”

  Chapter 11

  “So how are things going with Garland?” Jadin inquired when Ryker joined her and Jordin for lunch a few days later. They were celebrating Jadin’s big win in court.

  “Good,” he responded. “The girls are bonding well.”

  “Are you and Garland bonding, as well?” Jordin asked while opening the menu. Her eyes traveled slowly over the selections.

  “We’re getting along, if that’s what you mean. It helps that I have known her for a while. You remember Parker?”

  Jadin and Jordin both nodded.

  “Garland is his sister,” Ryker announced.

  Jadin gasped. “Are you serious?”

  He gave a slight nod. “Yeah. It’s a small world, isn’t it?”

  “That’s for sure,” Jadin responded.

  “Maybe this will make the transition easier,” Jordin interjected.

  “Garland doesn’t want the girls switched—she believes it would be too traumatic and confusing for them and I agree with her,” he said. “She and I are trying to figure out what will work best for all of us.”

  “I would think she’d want to raise her own child.” Jadin took a sip of her iced tea. “I know that I would if I were in her shoes.”

  “I’m not happy at the thought of giving up Kai,” Ryker confessed. “She will always be my little girl. As far as I’m concerned, I now have two daughters.”

  “How does Garland feel?” Jadin questioned. “Does she feel the same way?”

  “Yes, she does.”

  Jordin took a sip of her lemonade. “I can’t wait to meet Amya.”

  Ryker grinned. “She looks just like Angela and she is absolutely adorable.”

  Jadin wiped her mouth on the edge of her napkin. “We now have two little angels to love on.”

  “I suppose this means that, in some way, Garland is now a member of our family,” Jordin said.

  He met Jordin’s questioning gaze and nodded. “She is the mother of my children. She can never replace Angela’s role completely, but Garland is the only mother Amya and Kai will ever know.”

  “Do you have feelings for Garland?” Jadin asked.

  “She is Parker’s little sister and she has been raising my daughter,” Ryker responded. “Of course I care about her.”

  “I get the feeling that there’s more going on between you.”

  “We know how much you loved Angela, but she’s gone, Ryker,” Jordin added. “She would not want you to be alone forever.”

  “I still feel married sometimes,” he confessed.

  Jadin pointed to his wedding ring. “Maybe it’s because you’re still wearing that.”

  “I guess it’s time I took it off.”

  “You’ll do it when you’re ready,” Jordin said.

  “What are your plans for the weekend?” Jadin asked. “Are you in town or going to the beach?�
��

  “We’re all going to the beach Saturday. Kai is so excited.”

  Grinning, Jordin said, “I have a feeling that she’s not the only one who’s looking forward to tomorrow.”

  Ryker’s expression remained neutral.

  * * *

  “The girls had a wonderful time today at the beach,” Garland said as she eased a sleeping Amya into bed. Ryker watched from the doorway, then they headed down the hallway to the family room. “Why don’t you let Kai stay here for tonight?”

  “I...”

  “You’re more than welcome to sleep in the spare bedroom if you’re not comfortable leaving her here with me, Ryker.”

  “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

  “I don’t,” she said. Truthfully, it bothered her some, but Garland understood his hesitancy. She was not ready to let Amya stay with him without her nearby.

  “I just think it’s too soon for a sleepover without me being present.”

  Garland smiled. “I understand. I appreciate you letting Kai spend the day with Amya and me. She called me Mommy today.”

  “Really?” He paused. “Well, I suppose it’s natural. It’s what she hears Amya call you.”

  She met his gaze. “Does it bother you that she calls me Mommy?”

  Ryker shook his head. “You are her mother. Besides, Amya calls me Daddy. It’s almost as if they know the truth somehow.”

  They settled down in the family room.

  “What do you think about swimming lessons?” Garland asked. “For the girls.”

  “Aren’t they a little too young?”

  “No. Babies younger than them have taken swim classes,” she explained. “I’ll be there with them in the water.”

  Ryker nodded.

  * * *

  Not long after, Garland led him to the guest room, then headed to bed.

  The room she had Ryker staying in featured a four-poster queen-size bed in mahogany, heaped with pillows in lacy cases and covered by a peach lace comforter. Ryker thought the room utterly feminine, but he’d only be sleeping there for one night.

  Ryker went down the hallway to check on the girls before going into the bathroom to brush his teeth. He met Garland face to face outside of the guest bedroom.

  “I was just coming to see if you needed anything before I checked on Kai and Amya.”

  He smiled. “I just looked in on them and they are fast asleep.”

  “Great,” she murmured. “Do you need anything before I go to bed?”

  Ryker shook his head. “No, I’m fine.”

  “Good night then,” Garland stated. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  He gave a brief nod.

  “Oh, and don’t forget about the festival on Saturday. We’re taking the girls.”

  “We will be there,” Ryker promised. “I never knew that you were the one behind this annual event.”

  “It’s the one thing I look forward to each year,” she stated.

  Garland smelled of lavender and roses.

  Their eyes met and held.

  Before Ryker realized what he was doing, he shifted closer, his hands in the silken curls, angling her head to increase the contact. When his lips touched hers, Garland let out a whimper that slayed him. For a heart-stopping moment he pushed aside the fact that she was Parker’s little sister—that she was the sort of woman who would expect more than he could give.

  She feathered her mouth across his in a way that was so soft that Ryker did not know what to do with the moment. The barely there touch of skin on skin managed to affect him more than a more carnal action could have. An odd, soft feeling seeped into his chest.

  Garland suddenly stepped away from him.

  He cleared his throat. “I have wanted to do that from the first moment I walked through your door.”

  “I guess we can put the kiss issue to rest then,” she responded with a smile.

  The smile on Garland’s face left him wanting to kiss her again. She was driving him wild with strange, complicated, confusing feelings.

  “You are so beautiful,” he murmured against her cheek.

  “Good night, Ryker.”

  * * *

  He had not intentionally remained celibate—in fact, he’d never imagined it was possible for him, but Angela’s death had robbed him of many feelings. He also did not relish the idea of a string of women coming in and out of his daughter’s life. Out of loyalty to both Angela and Kai, Ryker had not had sex even when his body protested.

  Although he’d never acknowledged it before now, he was lonely. Ryker missed the benefits of sharing his life with someone special. At home, there were times he stayed awake or slept in one of the guest rooms at his home because he hated climbing into bed alone.

  Sleep continued to elude him.

  Ryker wished he could blame his restlessness on being in Garland’s home, but he knew better. She had awakened his passion, his desire to be intimate, to love and to be loved.

  Groaning, he rolled over to his left side, seeking slumber.

  * * *

  Garland could not wait to sink in the tub of bubbly water. It had been a long day and she was tired. She trailed her fingers in the hot liquid before sliding inside. She gasped at the water’s loving embrace. After picking up the bar of soap that sat in a silver dish beside the tub, she bathed her body.

  A few minutes later she got out and dried off with a soft, fluffy towel. Garland picked up a bottle of scented body lotion and slathered it on her skin.

  After dressing in a pair of pajama bottoms and a silk tank, she plumped up her pillows and sat up in bed. Garland would have trouble sleeping knowing that Ryker was just down the hall.

  She placed her fingers to her mouth. If he had kept his lips to himself, I wouldn’t be in such a tizzy, she thought. Garland had thought of him throughout the day, but he seemed oblivious to her beyond the fact that she was Kai’s biological mother.

  He acknowledged her and treated her with kindness, but never had she felt such longing for a man. Just talking to him had a raw hunger gnawing at her belly. When Ryker smiled, Garland felt it from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet and everywhere else in between.

  None of the guys in her life compared to Ryker—no one could come close to the type of man that he had become. He was that guy. No other man would ever touch her heart the way Ryker had. She’d spent her college years fantasizing about him, but those fantasies had been futile.

  He was not interested in her in that way. Yes, they’d shared a kiss or two, but Garland had no illusions about their relationship.

  Chapter 12

  Ryker heard Garland coming before he actually saw her. The hard tap of her high heels against the marble floor sounded out like tiny gunshots, even over the noise of the surrounding people. Garland never hesitated until she came to a halt in front of him. Her perfume reached for him, flavoring his every breath with the taste of her. He looked down into her eyes, saw them spark and flash and knew he was in deep trouble.

  “You and Aubry did a great job with the anniversary party for your parents. This is really nice.”

  “I hope you’re having a good time,” he said.

  “I am.” She took a sip of her champagne. “How about you? Are you enjoying yourself?”

  Ryker nodded. “I’m glad you’re here, Garland.”

  She smiled. “I am, too.”

  Jadin and Jordin joined them.

  “Garland, you look stunning,” Jordin said. “Doesn’t she, Ryker?”

  “Yes,” he responded with a grin.

  “I’m going to check on the girls,” Garland announced.

  When she walked away, Jadin said, “I really like her. She’s great with the girls. I can tell that she loves them both. If you
’re smart, you won’t let her get away.”

  “My sister’s right,” Jordin interjected. “She’s a keeper.”

  “Why don’t you two worry about finding husbands instead of trying to find a wife for me?” Ryker suggested.

  “Hey, don’t worry about me,” Jadin said. “I have a potential candidate. Jordin’s the picky one.”

  “I know what I want,” her sister said with a slight shrug.

  “I’m going to find my date and the mother of my children.” Ryker excused himself and went in search of Garland.

  He found her upstairs in the room designated as a playroom for the girls. His mother also had had one of the bedrooms redecorated in a lavender-and-white theme for when Kai and Amya stayed over.

  Garland was sitting in a rocking chair reading a story to the girls. Watching her, Ryker could see just how much she loved the girls. He loved them both just as much.

  He kissed the girls good-night and went downstairs to his office.

  Ryker sat at his desk, a Cheshire catlike grin dominating his face. He’d come up with the perfect solution. Instead of shuffling the girls back and forth between Edisto Island and Charleston, Garland and Amya could move in with him and Kai. This way they could raise the girls together.

  It was perfect.

  He could not wait to tell Garland. Ryker hoped that she would see that this was the best possible solution for the girls.

  “I think I’ve come up with a solution. It’s the best solution for everyone,” he announced when Garland came downstairs.

  “What is that?”

  “You and Amya can move into my house,” Ryker announced with a grin. “We can raise the girls together.”

  Her response was not what he was expecting.

  “I’m not interested in being a nanny to the girls, Ryker,” Garland stated coolly. “If this is what you have in mind...”

  “Garland, I wasn’t suggesting that at all,” he said. “You are the mother of my girls. We will continue to coparent our daughters if you decide to stay on the island. But I really do believe that moving in here is the best possible solution for us. Don’t you see? Neither one of us wants to give up the babies we raised, nor abandon our biological child.”