The Single Mom's Second Chance (Sweet Briar Sweethearts Book 7)

by Kathy Douglass

  “You’re welcome, Mommy,” the girls chimed in unison.

  Paul could tell that Roz was beginning to fade. Her smile seemed forced and she shifted in her seat as if in pain. It was time to step in. “Okay, guys, your mom is tired. She needs a nap.”

  “You can’t make Mommy take a nap,” Megan protested. “She’s big. Big people don’t take naps.”

  “Sometimes they do,” he countered, lifting Suzanne from Roz’s lap and setting her on her feet.

  “Like when they might die?” Suzanne whispered, her eyes wide with fear. Roz’s illness had been difficult on all of them, but Suzanne continued to have the hardest time coping. Paul tried, but he hadn’t been able to convince her that Roz would be okay. Her hospital stay had set Suzanne back quite a bit.

  “Mommy’s not going to die.” Megan punctuated her statement by stomping her foot.

  Nathaniel wrapped an arm across his sisters’ shoulders and drew them close, protecting them from a world that had become a scary place.

  “Megan’s right. I’m not going to die,” Roz said. “I’m just tired. I’ll take a nap and then make dinner. Okay?”

  The kids nodded but they were still subdued. Paul helped Roz stand. She swayed a little and he held her more tightly, careful to be gentle. Her sweet scent surrounded him as if tempting him with images of a potential future together. Once, he’d dreamed of making a life with her. Heck, she’d been the entire dream. She’d destroyed more than his plans when she betrayed him. She’d ripped out his heart and then shredded it. It had taken him years to get over the hurt. No matter how soft her skin was or how comfortably she fit in his arms, he knew better than to get swept away by the moment. That would only lead to heartache.

  “Can you make it on your own?” He suddenly needed more distance between them, but he wouldn’t let her go if she’d only fall flat on her face. At least, that’s what he told himself as he continued to hold her pressed against his side.

  She blew out a breath before speaking. He felt her heart pounding against his chest, saw the pulse thumping in her throat. “I think so.”

  Slowly moving away from him, she took one staggering step and then another before gripping his wrist. Without thinking, he swept her into his arms. She gasped but otherwise made no complaint, her silence telling him all he needed to know.

  “Why are you carrying Mommy?” Suzanne asked.

  “I’m carrying her for the same reason I carry you to bed sometimes.”

  “Because she likes it?”

  “Because she likes it,” he confirmed. And though he was loath to admit it, he liked it, too. Roz was thinner than she’d been years ago, but she still fit in his arms like she’d been made for him. They fit together like puzzle pieces he’d been finding all over the house. That was a ridiculous thought. Life wasn’t a child’s game.

  Paul circled the room, deftly avoiding a dollhouse and scattered crayons as he made his way to Roz’s first-floor bedroom.

  “I’ll turn down the blankets,” Megan cried, running ahead of him.

  “Me, too,” Suzanne added, chasing after her sister.

  “I’m worried about Suzanne,” Roz whispered. “I thought she was improving, but now I’m not so sure.”

  “Remember, we aren’t supposed to expect a miracle,” he said although he was worried, too. “Now that you’re home, she’ll bounce back.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  So did he. “I am.”

  “Look, it’s all ready,” Megan said as he stepped into the room.

  “Thank you,” Roz said. “You girls are wonderful.”

  Paul set her on the bed then got the peach gown he knew was her favorite.

  She held out her hands. “I can get dressed on my own.”

  He nodded. “Come on, girls, let’s give your mom some privacy.”

  Megan hopped across the floor on one foot, her new favorite way of getting from place to place, but Suzanne didn’t budge. “Aren’t you going to kiss Mommy’s cheek before she goes to sleep? You always kiss mine.”

  His eyes flew to Roz, who was looking at him, a thousand different emotions flitting across her face, none staying long enough for him to name. “Sure. I’ll come back after your mom has changed.”

  Roz made a strangled sound. For a moment, he tried to figure out what her reaction meant, then decided it didn’t matter.

  * * *

  Roz tried to slow her galloping heart. She needed to rein in her feelings before they raced ahead of her. So Paul was going to kiss her cheek. What was the big deal? It wasn’t as if he wanted to kiss her. That would be a big deal. He was only going to brush his lips against her cheek because her daughter put him on the spot. The kiss wouldn’t last longer than one second. Surely she could maintain an image of indifference for that long.

  Pulling off her top, she tugged on her gown, stood briefly as she wiggled out of her skirt, then dropped back onto the mattress. Unbelievably, that little bit of activity had her panting like she’d run three miles, something she hadn’t done in longer than she cared to remember. Running was one of the many things she was looking forward to doing once she was stronger. She needed to regain her strength quickly. That was why she was napping in the middle of the day and letting Paul boss her around. That and the fact that she was worn-out.

  A knock on the door had her yelping and scooting under the blanket. “Come in,” she called as the door opened.

  “We’re here to kiss you,” Suzanne announced as if Roz could have possibly forgotten. Suzanne released Paul’s hand and scampered across the room, giving Roz a rare glimpse of the happy child she’d once been.

  “I’m ready.”

  Suzanne leaned over and wrapped her arms around Roz’s neck. She pecked Roz’s cheek, leaving the stickiness of peanut butter and jelly behind. “Have sweet dreams, Mommy.”

  “Thank you.”

  Suzanne moved aside. “Your turn, Uncle Paul.”

  Roz’s heart pounded as she watched Paul’s long legs eat up the distance between them. His eyes were riveted on her face and she couldn’t look away to save her life. As he got closer, warmth bloomed in her stomach and tingles shot to her fingers and toes. He just stood there, staring at her.

  “Kiss her,” Suzanne prodded.

  “Right.” He leaned over, placing a hand on either side of her head, imprisoning her. Ever so slowly, he moved closer until she thought her heart would burst from her chest. His masculine scent, a combination of soap and aftershave, surrounded her, and she yearned to turn her face toward him and capture his kiss with her lips. Instead, she lay frozen as he brushed his lips against her cheek. For a moment, the years dropped away and they were young and in love again. She forced that thought away.

  The past was over and there was no getting back what they’d lost. She’d blown her chance years ago. Looking back, she realized she’d made a mistake, but she’d been alone and afraid, in need of someone to hold on to. Paul hadn’t understood how scared she’d been. He still didn’t. At least he no longer hated her. Over the past few months they’d become friends. Family even. That would have to be enough.

  Chapter Eleven

  Paul stepped into the hallway and slumped against the wall, fighting to remain upright. Swiping his suddenly damp forehead with his wrist, he blew out a shaky breath. What the hell was wrong with him? It was just a simple kiss, and really hardly that. His lips had barely touched her cheek before he pulled away. Despite the fact that Suzanne had leaned in close to make sure he kissed Roz as directed, and despite the fact that Roz lay as still as a stone, the kiss had nearly brought him to his knees. Even now, his lips still tingled.

  She smelled so good. Roz had never been a big fan of perfume because it always made her sneeze. To him, she hadn’t needed it. He’d always found her unique scent intoxicating. Since his arrival over three months ago, he’d seen her in varying stages
of undress and hadn’t been the least bit aroused. So why was he noticing how very soft her skin was now? Or the way her breath caught in her throat when he kissed her? There was only one explanation. He had holes in his head and his common sense had leaked out.

  Living in the same house with Roz was twisting his thinking and dulling the memory of the pain she’d caused him. It was as if the past years hadn’t happened or someone else had suffered through the agony of loving and losing her. He couldn’t let himself forget what she’d done. He couldn’t set himself up for more pain.

  He needed to get out of here before his weakening will got the better of him and he did something stupid like go back into her room and kiss her the way he was aching to.

  He managed to regain his composure before he walked into the living room. Nathaniel was sprawled on the floor reading a comic book. Megan and Suzanne were doing paint by number pictures at the coffee table.

  “I need to go out,” he said to Charlotte, who was flipping through a bridal magazine. She’d made herself scarce during Roz’s reunion with the kids. Thank goodness she hadn’t left yet. “Can you stay a while longer?”

  “Sure. Rick and Bobby are coming to get Nathaniel so they can go to the park for a while. The girls and I will be fine here, so take your time.”

  “I won’t be gone more than an hour.” That should be long enough to clear all thoughts of Roz from his mind. He gently tugged Megan’s and Suzanne’s braids. “I’ll see you girls later.”

  “Bye,” Suzanne said without glancing up from her picture.

  Megan stood and stretched out her arms, reaching for him. He bent over and she grabbed his face with her little hands then placed a sloppy kiss on his cheek. “Bye, Uncle Paul.”

  Paul jogged down the porch steps and to his car. He didn’t have any destination in mind, so he just drove aimlessly, using the time to rebuild the emotional wall he needed to keep between himself and Roz. He turned on the radio to his favorite oldies station. His mother always joked that he’d been born too late. He liked the Platters, the Rat Pack and doo-wop. Nothing pulled him out of a funk faster than a song with a good melody and catchy lyrics.

  Now he was so unsettled that the music lacked its usual magic. Driving down Main Street, he passed the mayor, Lex Devlin. Although Paul hadn’t spent a lot of time with the other man, he counted Lex as a new friend, so he waved and pulled over, lowering the passenger window.

  “Everything okay?” Lex asked, leaning against the car.

  “Sure. Why do you ask?”

  “I know you picked up Roz from the hospital today. How did her surgery go?”

  “The doctor is cautiously optimistic. Whatever that means.”

  Lex shrugged. Apparently he didn’t speak medicalese any more fluently than Paul did. He was going to ask Rick to translate when he brought Nathaniel home that afternoon.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Nowhere in particular. You?”

  “I’m about to grab a burger. Want to join me?”

  Paul nodded and parked. They walked the half block to Mabel’s Diner and found an empty booth. After they ordered, Lex looked at him. Although the mayor didn’t speak, Paul could tell he had something on his mind.

  “What?” Paul asked.

  “Now that Roz has had her surgery, I wonder what your plans are.”

  “I haven’t thought that far ahead. To be honest, I haven’t thought past today. She still has a long recovery ahead of her. Why?”

  “I have a business proposition for you.”

  Talking about business was preferable to discussing Roz’s illness, which made him queasy. “Shoot.”

  “Sweet Briar is the perfect place for a health club.”

  “Sweet Briar?”

  “Don’t sell us short. I’m not just blowing smoke. I’ve done my research. I’ve visited several of your clubs and know the clientele you serve. There’s no place within an hour in any direction that has the amenities you offer. You can attract people from the surrounding areas who aren’t being served right now. You could do nicely here.”

  Paul agreed Sweet Briar could be a prime location for one of his clubs. He’d actually considered the idea before tossing it aside. He didn’t want anything to tie him to Roz. Though headquartered in Florida, he prioritized the time he devoted to new locations. He always stuck around for the first few weeks and made frequent visits in the months following the opening to insure everything stayed true to his vision. Experience taught him that it was easier to nip a bad habit in the bud than to break it after it had become ingrained. Though he had trusted employees, his name and reputation were on the line. If he opened a club here, he’d have to make regular visits to Sweet Briar forever. He’d never break free of Roz if he kept seeing her.

  Fortunately, Lex didn’t pursue the conversation further. That was one of the reasons Lex was such a popular and successful mayor. He didn’t pressure anyone to commit to something they might later regret. He made offers and let people make their own decisions in their own time.

  Their food arrived and they switched topics once more, talking about sports, and Paul was able to enjoy his meal.

  Paul pondered Lex’s suggestion as he drove the short distance home. He blinked. It wasn’t his home. He couldn’t allow himself to think of Roz’s house that way. That would lead him down a dangerous road he had no desire to travel. But despite his resistance, he’d already taken a few steps on that path.

  He’d already grown attached to her kids and loved them as if they were his own. It would be easy to pretend they were. But he couldn’t pretend away the past. The past had happened and it had been soul crushing. No man in his right mind would put his heart in Roz’s hands again and trust her not to break it.

  The sound of a singing Disney princess greeted him when he stepped into the house. Megan and Suzanne were huddled together on the sofa. Suzanne had her thumb in her mouth. She looked up, pulled her thumb from her mouth, and smiled before turning back to the movie.

  He found Charlotte in the kitchen, taking one of the endless casseroles the townspeople had delivered from the freezer. She raised the dish. “Dinner?”

  He didn’t think the kids could choke down another casserole. He knew he couldn’t. “No. I’ll cook something.”

  She shoved the pan back into the freezer. “In that case, I’ll head on out.”

  “Thanks for all of your help. I couldn’t have managed all these months without you.”

  She tilted her head quizzically, as though she might say something. Charlotte wasn’t known for holding her tongue. Instead, she smiled and left, taking her unspoken comment with her.

  Giving in to the need to check on Roz, he opened her door and peered inside. She was lying on her side, her head resting on her hands. She looked so serene. He felt himself being drawn farther into the room, closer to her. When he reached her side, he straightened the blankets and pulled the fabric over her narrow shoulders. He told himself to leave but couldn’t make his feet obey. Sighing, he sat down beside her, allowing himself a moment to just be with her. His heart felt calmer than it had since she’d told him about her cancer diagnosis. More at peace than he’d felt in years. But his heart wasn’t his brain. He needed to think with the correct organ this time.

  Her eyes opened and she smiled. Stretched. “How long have I been sleeping?”

  “Not long. A couple of hours.”

  She pushed herself into a sitting position, then leaned against the headboard. “I guess I should get up. I need to warm up one of those casseroles.”

  He raised a hand. “I’ll handle dinner.”

  “I need to get back to taking care of my family.” If she was trying to sound fierce, the yawn ruined the effect.

  “I know. And you will. Just not tonight. I’d appreciate it if you help the girls set the table.”

  “I can do that.”

>   “Good. I’ll put a star on your chart.”

  She brushed a hand over her head then reached for her scarf. As a teenager, her thick hair had hung between her shoulder blades. She’d cut it a few inches since then, but until the chemo, it had been just as thick. Just as beautiful.

  Roz noticed where he was looking and knotted the scarf. “I must look like death warmed over. As I’ve told you before, sometimes I look in the mirror and scare myself. I don’t recognize the person looking back at me.”

  He knew she wasn’t mourning a loss of beauty. She was just as gorgeous as ever. To him, her hair loss was a reminder of the battle she was fighting. And though she had her flaws, vanity wasn’t one of them. “It’s only hair. It’ll grow back.”

  The grateful smile she gave him was radiant, and he backed away, trying to evade its warmth. The heat reached him anyway and soothed aches in his heart the way the passage of time had failed to do. No matter how hard he struggled, he was getting pulled into her orbit again. He had to fight harder to fortify the walls around his heart. He wished he could let her in, but he couldn’t. The thought didn’t make him happy, but that was the way it had to be.

  * * *

  Roz placed the last knife on a napkin then stood back to admire the dining room table. It looked pretty good, if she did say so herself. They didn’t ordinarily set the table so fancy. In fact, they generally didn’t eat in the dining room. Before she’d gotten sick, she’d fill the kids’ plates at the stove and they’d carry them to the kitchen table. But Paul had insisted this was a celebration—this was the one-week anniversary of her release from the hospital—and the kids had sided with him. Their enthusiasm was contagious and she’d gotten into the spirit, using the special dishes and good silverware. They were even using cloth napkins and a tablecloth. Maybe that was overdoing it a bit, but it would be worth it if it made her kids smile.

  The aromas floating from the kitchen were heavenly, and her stomach growled as her long-suppressed appetite made a surprise appearance. She turned on some music and shimmied a little to the beat. The sound of Paul’s laughter had her cheeks warming as she spun around. He was holding a bouquet of fall flowers. The rich oranges, deep reds and vibrant yellows made a stunning combination.