Page 20 of The Redemption of Remy St. Claire

“Your parents believed you are, otherwise they would never have entrusted Calleigh to your care.”

“I’m not sure that’s true. The only family we have is my mother’s older sister who is on her fourth marriage and never had kids. She’s in her fifties, and I’ve seen her twice. I don’t even think Calleigh’s met her. I was the choice by default.” She tried to infuse a note of optimism to override the encroaching panic. Her parents had been in their late forties. Both had looked forward to long lives.

As if on her wavelength, he asked, “How old were they when you were born?”

“My father was twenty-two and my mother, nineteen. I was a surprise. They were less than a year into the marriage when my mother discovered she was pregnant.” She smiled, remembering all the times they told her how special she was. “They’d been told they couldn’t have any more children, so Calleigh, born when my mother turned forty-three, was also an unexpected surprise.”

“More like miraculous.”

She nodded, not wanting to go down that road. “How old are you? You must’ve been young when you had Mira.”

“I’m twenty-six. Sissy and I married when we were eighteen.” He offered a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I’d just finished my degree in computer engineering when we found out Sissy was pregnant. We were young, but full of anticipation. Mira is truly a gift. All children are gifts.”

“Mira’s a pretty name.”

“It’s short for Miracle. It was a miracle she survived.” He glanced over at the girls.

“What happened?”

He offered her a half-smile, but didn’t answer. “Calleigh is a nice name.”

“It suits her.” She wanted to ask more questions about Mira, but she knew when to push and when to back off. Time to retreat.For now.“It’s too bad Calleigh won’t have the experience of having grandmothers. I was close to both of mine and miss them.”

His eyes held that ever-present empathy, lurking just below the surface when he dealt with her. He seemed able to anticipate her pain even before she experienced it.

“How about Mira’s grandparents?”

“Her maternal grandmother is dead.” His voice was flat. “My parents, my three sisters, and her three cousins are all back in Montréal.”

“Have you considered moving closer to them?”

“Every day since my marriage ended. But this is my home, and it wouldn’t feel right—running back to my parents.”

“They wouldn’t welcome you?”

His face brightened in a way she rarely experienced. “A chance to be near their eldest grandchild? There’s nothing they’d love more. But even though Sissy is out of our lives, it’d be wrong to put three thousand miles between them.”

“That’s very mature of you.” She glanced at her watch, amazed to see how much time had passed. “Your place or mine?”

“I still have a few more boxes to pack, although it’s mostly done.” He shrugged. “We have little to bring with us.”

She hesitated, unsure of how to address the issue, but let it go. “I haven’t shown you your room. We haven’t figured out where to put Mira.”

“She has a comfortable playpen she can sleep in, but she’s ready for a big-girl bed. If there’s space, maybe we could put them in the same room.”

“That’d work well. Calleigh’s got a big room. Your room is my old bedroom. You’ll be pleased to know it’s not frilly and pink.”

“If it means I can be the nanny, I’d put up with frilly and pink.”

She tried to picture him in a delicately decorated room, but couldn’t. Although he wasn’t a macho man, he was definitely masculine. On the other hand, he had the self-assurance to handle a feminine space.

“My mother, after seeking my permission, redecorated the room in a more appropriate color. By providence, it’s hunter green with navy-blue and dark-maroon accents. I hope you like it.” She turned to the girls. “It’s time to go, Calleigh. Say goodnight.”

Calleigh looked between Rusty and Mira. “’G’night.”

Suddenly Remy was so tired she didn’t even contemplate correcting her sister. Her conversation with Rusty had been more intense than she planned.

He walked them to the door and pressed his keys into her hand. “No sense in moving the car seat. We’ll trade off when your move is finished. You’ll be fine with the girls.

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