by Jill Sanders
When he parked at Kayla’s mother’s house, she was in the drive waiting for him already.
“Kayla called,” she said, pulling Connor out of the back. “We’ll be here when you’re done.” She waved as he pulled out.
By the time he made it to the hospital, Ben and Sarah were already set up with a room. Crystal hadn’t arrived yet.
“Looks like I’m going to win the bet,” he said as he walked into their room after he’d cleaned up.
“Shut up and get this kid out of me,” his cousin growled.
Rowan chuckled as he got to work.
Less than an hour later, he welcomed Aurora Lilly into the world.
Seeing the small baby in his cousin’s arms as Ben and Crystal hovered over made him realize the one thing he’d been missing.
When he drove back to Kayla’s mother’s house to pick up Connor, he knew exactly what he wanted in life.
As he carried the sleepy kid in, set him on his sofa, and flipped on the cartoons, he thought about not being able to spend his evenings with him. He knew it was a good thing that his grandmother got to spend time with him, but it was hard to fight the sadness he’d felt when Kayla had agreed to it.
He sat next to the kid and when Connor climbed up into his lap and snuggled down to watch SpongeBob, his heart melted.
He closed his eyes and enjoyed the smell of pool chemicals and greasy pizza on the three-year-old boy who had won his heart.
As they waited for Kayla to return, he thought of a plan to get Kayla to fall for him so he could spend the rest of his life with the pair.
When she made it back, he tried to convince her to stick around for the night again, but she shook her head and he helped her carry the sleeping kid across the street and up to his own bed.
He lay in his bed, alone, that night and had never felt emptier. It was strange—before she’d come home, he hadn’t realized he’d been lonely.
Seeing his cousin with her new family made him realize he had a hole in his life.
He had everyone in town to help fill his life, but now, he couldn’t imagine a day without Kayla and Connor in it.
Picking up his phone, he glanced at the time and figured she’d just be laying down.
-Are you still awake?
It took less than a minute for her to respond.
-Yes, Connor had a fun time swimming tonight.
-Did he wake up?
-For about two minutes to speed-tell me everything you two did.
-LOL, we missed you.
-I had my cards read today by your aunt.
-Oh? And?
-Apparently, I’m destined for great happiness.
-That’s nice. The last time she read my cards, she told me I marry two people.
After he hit send, his mind flashed to an image of Kayla and Connor instead of the two brides he’d originally imagined.
-Lucky ladies. LOL
He was silent as the thought sunk further into his brain. His aunt had an eerie way of being right all the time.
-What are you wearing? she texted after a moment, causing his smile to return.
-Nothing, it was hot today. You?
-Mmm, white silk.
-OMG! Tell me more.
His phone rang and he lay back and had some of the best phone sex he’d ever enjoyed.
The following Saturday morning, he met her at her mother’s house bright and early.
He’d just unloaded the ladder and painting supplies when Ben and Adam arrived, ready to work for the day.
“How’s the new daddy?” he asked, already seeing the man’s smile double.
“No one ever told you baby poo is one of the grosses substances on earth. Superman himself would probably flee in terror.”
Rowan chuckled. “Wait until she’s a few months old and starts eating solids.”
Ben groaned, but there was still a smile on his lips.
They spend the first few hours scraping the old paint off the trim and touching up the paint on the main part of the house. After lunch, which Kayla and her mother had made, they got started on the painting.
“Remind me again why we’re here painting this place?” Adam asked when he’d dropped his paintbrush for the second time.
“Because Rowan’s getting laid,” Ben joked back.
“Oh, right.” The Frenchmen chuckled.
“Will you two shut up and focus.” He frowned when he burned his elbow on the metal gutter. It was close to eighty degrees out and he’d removed his shirt over an hour ago.
“Hey, we’re doing the best we can. Neither of us is painters,” Adam added.
“Speak for yourself. I spent a summer in college repainting my buddy’s house. That place was a bitch.” Ben wiped the sweat from his eyes.
“And this isn’t?” Adam asked.
“No. We plan on having someone repaint our place next year,” Ben added in, his eyes going to them.
“Don’t look at us,” Rowan joked. “I hired someone to do my place last year. I’ll give you their number. Your place is too large.”
“Why didn’t you hire them to do this one?” Adam asked.
“Because I’m helping a friend out,” he supplied.
“Right.” Adam smiled. “You’re getting paid in other ways.”
“Are you boys done with your locker talk?” Kayla said from the base of the ladder, causing all three of them to jump.
“Sorry,” the three of them said in unison.
She laughed. “I’ve got to get to work.” She glanced down at her watch.
He set the bucket and brush down, then descended the ladder. Kayla watched him the whole way. The hunger in her eyes shone clearly, causing him to smile.
“I’d hug you, but I’m all sweaty.” He moved closer.
She took the last step and wrapped her arms around him, her hands moving over his shoulders and chest. “I have to go home and shower anyway,” she purred.
He leaned in and covered her lips and kissed her until he heard the cat whistles from the roof.
Pulling back, he smiled down at her.
“Your aunt’s going to drop Connor off in half an hour,” she supplied. “When will you guys be finished up for the night?”
He glanced up and calculated how much more sunlight they had. “About an hour.”
She nodded, biting her bottom lip.
“Want me to stick around here?”
“Maybe you can check to see how things are when you leave and let me know?”
He brushed a strand of her hair away from her face. “I’m sure the kid is going to be fine.”
“It’s not Connor I’m worried about.” Her eyes moved back to the house. “See you.” She waved to Adam and Ben as she drove away.
He stood there for a moment and watched her go. When she hit the stop sign, he turned back to climb the ladder.
He figured he could stop by the store later and give her a play-by-play account in person.
Chapter 17
The evening was so slow, it felt like time was standing still. The last massage client had left along with Gloria, the massage therapist. She’d heard when the yoga class had left, leaving her all alone in the store.
She filled her time reading a book she’d had in her bag.
When the bell chimed, she plastered on a smile, then gasped when Chad walked towards her through the store.
“What…” She felt her heart sink, then anger replaced fear quickly. “What are you doing here?”
He looked skinnier than before. There were dark circles under his eyes and she wondered if he was high on something.
“Do you know how long it took me to find you?” He moved to the other side of the counter.
“Answer me.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“I’m here for you and my son.” His eyes narrowed.
“Why? You already have a wife and a baby on the way,” she replied, thinking about reaching for her cell phone and calling the cops. She stopped when she realized he wasn’t doing
anything wrong. Yet.
“Kimberly died during childbirth. The baby was stillborn.”
Her heart broke a little. “I’m sorry.” She reached her hand out and touched his just as the bell chimed again.
Rowan walked into the store. A frown quickly replaced the smile when he noticed her hand on Chad’s. She jerked her hand back and tucked it under the counter.
“Kayla.” He stopped directly next to Chad, his eyes scanning the other man. She knew the instant he realized who it was. “You okay?” He turned to her, dismissing the man.
She nodded, not knowing what to say.
“I’ll let you deal with this… customer first.” Chad moved aside slightly. “But then you need to take a break so we can talk.”
“I’m not a customer,” Rowan added, but before he could say more, she jumped in.
“Rowan, can we have a minute? You can wait for me in your aunt’s office.” She handed him her keys.
He looked down at them, then back between her and Chad. After a moment, he nodded and disappeared towards the back.
“Who was that?” Chad asked.
“I’m sorry about… your wife and child. But why are you here?”
“Like I said, I’m here for my family.”
“We’re not your family.” She moved back. “We never were. We were a nuisance.” She moved around the counter. “I’m sorry you came all this way—”
“My parents have agreed to let me marry you. We can be a family.” He rushed over to her and took her shoulders.
Her eyes narrowed as she shook her head. There had been a point in her life where she had wanted nothing more than to be Chad’s wife, for Connor to have his father. But, now, she couldn’t even stand the thought.
Shaking her head, she took a step back. “It’s too late for that. I won’t let you tie my son up with—”
“He’s my son too,” Chad broke in.
“You were never there for either of us. You lost those rights.”
His arms moved back to her shoulders. “Think before you say something you’ll regret. Remember who my parents are. How much money and influence they have.”
She remembered the first time she’d found out who his parents were. She’d been shocked. Most people would have done anything to have that blue blood flow through their child’s veins.
“That doesn’t make you a good father. You weren’t there for us when we needed you. You’ll go home and forget all about us again.” She motioned towards the door. “Now, if you don’t mind”—the bell chimed as a couple walked in and started browsing around the store— “I have work to do.”
She watched Chad’s eyes narrow before he turned and left the store.
As she helped the couple out, she wondered if he was staying in town. Then she realized he hadn’t asked her where Connor was. After checking the couple out, she grabbed her cell phone and dialed her mother’s number just as Rowan appeared next to her.
“I already talked to your mother and told her I’d come get him.” He touched her shoulder. She wondered if he’d listened in on their conversation. Turning to him, she noticed the worried look in his eyes.
She set her phone down and sighed. “He can’t have him or me.” She walked into his arms.
“No,” he said, “he can’t.”
Every minute that passed after Rowan left to get Connor, she counted her heartbeats until she could hold her son in her arms. Customers came and went, but her mind was too consumed with seeing her son again.
Rowan had texted her when he had arrived at her mother’s and had Connor. She had relaxed a little, but still, her eyes were glued to the front door.
When they finally walked in, she’d composed herself. She didn’t want her son to see the fear.
“Mommy!” Connor ran across the store and wrapped his arms around her. She held onto him as she picked him up.
“Thank you,” she said to Rowan.
He moved over and wrapped an arm around her. “Anytime.” He sighed. “What do you say to going in the back and coloring with me?” he asked Connor. “Your mother packed these for him.” He held up a small bin of coloring books and crayons. “I figured we could hang out back there. When he gets tired, there’s a sofa.”
She took a deep breath. “No, I still have three hours. Now that I know he’s okay, why don’t you guys go back home?” She kissed Connor’s cheek again. “I’ll be okay, knowing he’s with you.”
Rowan reached up and touched her cheek with his hand. “You sure?”
She nodded and leaned her head into his hand. “Yes, I’m fine.”
“Okay.” He took Connor from her. “You might want to call your mom. She was worried about you.”
“I’ll call her.”
She watched them leave, then went back to get her cell phone. She was just about to dial her mother when the door chimed again. Mrs. Tyler walked into the store and smiled when she noticed her behind the counter.
“Oh, I didn’t know you were working here,” the woman said, holding a shopping basket in her hands.
“Yes, I started last week.”
“How wonderful.” Robin Tyler had been one of the best looking female teachers in the school when Kayla had attended. The woman had aged very gracefully and still looked young and in shape.
“Can I help you find something?” she asked.
“Oh, I know where everything is. I swear I can’t get enough of these.” She put a few bottles into her basket. “Helps you stay young, which keeps the marriage alive,” she added, her eyes moving over her slowly. “Of course, you’re still so very young yourself.”
Kayla smiled, unsure of what to say as she started to ring the woman up.
“So, you are back in town to stay?” she asked, her smile slipping a little as her eyes scanned hers.
“For now.” She thought about seeing Chad again and knew that she wasn’t prepared to leave town because of him.
“How nice. I’m sure your mother is enjoying having you back in town, along with all the available men in town.”
Kayla nodded and gave the woman a polite smiled.
“I ran into your husband at the bakery the other day.”
“Did you?” The woman’s eyes narrowed. “He didn’t mention it.”
She shrugged as she ran the credit card. “Are you still teaching?” she asked, hoping to change the subject.
“Yes, we both are.”
Kayla handed the woman the receipt and bag. “Have a nice night.”
“You too.”
When Mrs. Tyler left, Kayla quickly dialed her mother’s number.
“Are you okay?” Her mother sounded worried.
“Yes, I’m sorry to cut your first night with Connor short.”
“It’s okay, Rowan explained… about Connor’s father. Honey, I wish you would have told me.”
“I know, I’m sorry.” She sighed.
“JT gets back tomorrow and he asked if we would come out to his place for dinner. Maybe you and I could have some time beforehand, without working, to talk?”
“That sounds wonderful,” she responded quickly. “Mom? I’m really sorry.”
“I know, sweetie. I’m glad you’re okay.”
After hanging up with her mother, she busied herself by straightening the store up in between helping customers.
She knew she hadn’t seen the last of Chad. She just hoped he wouldn’t show up at her work again. She thought about calling him but decided she would wait until the following morning.
She had locked up and was walking to her car when she heard a sound behind her. Turning, she watched Chad step out of a rental car.
“I told you—”
“I heard, I just wanted a moment to talk to you. You know, I never got to apologize, for… things.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at him.
“Seeing… Kimberly and the baby… It’s changed me. I just wanted a chance to have my own family.”
“Connor and I can’t be that for yo
u, not now.” She felt her shoulders fall slightly.
“I…” His eyes moved around. “I had hoped… things could go back to how they were before we moved to Florida.”
She shook her head. “That’s in the past.”
“Can I see my son?” he asked and she heard his voice crack.
“Let me think about it,” she said after a moment. “Will you be in town?”
He glanced around. “I got a room at the Best Western off the highway.”
She nodded. “I’ll contact you.” She turned and tossed her bag into the car.
“Kayla,” Chad called out, causing her to glance over her shoulder. “How is he?”
“He had a broken arm. It’s been in a cast.”
Chad looked like he’d been punched in the gut. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “I… tell him I’m sorry.” He shook his head and she thought she saw a tear fall down his face.
She took a step closer to him. “Are you okay?” she asked, not sure why, but the look on his face told her that he was in pain.
His eyes met hers. “I’m… okay.” He turned and walked away.
She watched him get in the rental car and drive away. As she was getting into the car, she thought she heard footsteps, but when she glanced over, the parking lot was empty.
She watched her rearview mirror as she drove home. The streets were dark and quiet. When she parked behind Rowan’s car, she felt emotionally drained.
Rowan met her at the door and had it opened before she got up the front porch stairs. She was engulfed in his arms.
Just the smell of him, the feel of him holding her, had the tears flowing.
“Stay with me tonight,” he said when they walked inside. “Connor’s asleep upstairs already. I packed him some clothes.”
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“I need to learn to do this on my own,” she said, keeping her eyes closed.
“What?” he asked, taking her hand and tugging until she sat next to him on the sofa.
“Life,” she said, looking at him.
He pulled her legs up onto his lap, then tossed her shoes off her feet and started rubbing them. They were so small, and he could feel the tension slowly drain away as he rubbed the muscles.
“You don’t fight fair.” She leaned back against the cushions and sighed.
