Page 19 of Mending Hearts

“Are you? The endless nights? All the worry on your shoulders? The cost—emotional, physical, and financial? When you don’t have someone to share those things, sometimes it feels like you’re going to drown under the weight. I just…I wouldn’t wish that feeling on anyone.”

“I’ll figure it out. Will it be hard? Probably—”

“Not probably. A certainty. There isn’t enough help in the world to reduce your parental guilt the first time you have to pick putting food on the table over going somewhere to support your kid.” Emily swallowed and stared at her hands folded in her lap. “Maggie said Mia doesn’t want anything to do with the baby once it’s born.”

“That’s what she thinks, yeah.” I didn’t plan to dwell on her initial reaction to the pregnancy. As long as no one found out, she’d have time to decide how she felt about the baby over the next few months. I was sure she’d come looking more for help with the baby than for an agreement to have the abortion. Was I reading her right? I didn’t have a clue. Wishful thinking, maybe. But I wasn’t planning to close any doors.

“You don’t believe her?” She glanced up and tilted her head.

“What do either of us know for sure until the baby arrives? All we know is it’s coming.” I drew open a couple of desk drawers, looking for a stray lollipop. Earlier, I’d cleared them out. Having either Mom or Emily show up at some point today had been inevitable. Though, I was a little surprised it was Emily first.

“That’s a very simplistic view of a complex problem.”

“I’m a simple man.” At the back of the middle drawer, a lone lollipop rolled around. I plucked it out and ripped off the wrapper. Blueberry jasmine. A hint of a smile threatened to materialize before I popped it into my cheek and met Emily’s gaze.

“There’s simple, and then there’s idiotic.” Emily sighed. “We’ve crossed the line here. If she wanted the baby, that would be one thing. But I don’t understand why she’s agreed to this for you.”

“Honestly?” I raised my eyebrows. “Me neither. But I’ve always wanted to be a dad, and now with our dad gone, it’s important for me to do this. Let’s face it, none of my other relationships have gotten me there, and I’m thirty-five. I don’t want to be a first-time dad in my forties, and most of the women I’m meeting now have kids already.” I spread my hands wide. “Hard is not impossible. I’m going to be a dad.”

“I can’t decide if that explanation is a shitty reason or a really good one.”

“Go with a good one. It’ll make you feel better.” I grinned and pointed my lollipop in her direction.

“Mom is not going to be comforted by this conversation.”

“She sent you?”

“Uh, yeah. Of course. She thought I might be able to talk some sense into you.” Emily released a deep breath. “Ididn’t think that. We’re all the same. Too stubborn.”

“This is going to be good for me. I can feel it.”

“That’s because you have no idea what’s coming. You’re like the lobster in the pot, unaware the boil will happen.” Emily rose from her chair and threw her purse over her shoulder. “But don’t worry—Maggie, Mom, and I will be there.”

“You’ll yank me out before I get boiled alive?”

“Hopefully before the third-degree burns set in.” Emily smiled. “No promises. That stubbornness, you know?”

As we exited the office, the bells above the door jingled again. Grady, tall, lean, and perpetually tanned, stood framed in the entryway.

“Jesus,” I said, twisting the stick to the lollipop still lodged in my cheek. “Maggie’s called in the big guns.”

“We want to make sure you’ve heard all sides of this—even if you don’t change your mind.”

“I’m not changing my mind.” I’d made a promise to Mia. She was putting her career on the line to carry this baby. Her reputation was at stake, and while a reputation was changeable, sometimes easily earned and lost, hers mattered to her. And so now, it mattered to me. There was no greater priority than Mia and the baby she carried.

“Hey, Tyler,” Grady said with a wave from the door. “Got a minute? Maggie asked me to swing by before you hit the road.”

“Yeah, why not? Join the parade through my office. I’m planning on turning my front door into a game. Who will appear next in a desperate bid to talk some sense into me?”

Vanessa’s head swiveled between the two of us as she pretended to busy herself on the computer. She knew I was going on tour with Mia, but I hadn’t revealed what motivated this sudden flip.

“I promised Maggie.” A smirk rose to Grady’s lips.

“Yeah, I get it, man. No worries. Come on back.” I gave Emily a quick hug before following Grady into the office and closing the door once again. “So, you’re here to warn me off Mia or being a single parent?”

“I have to pick one? Aww, shit. I came unprepared for that.” He grinned.

I rocked back in my chair as Grady assumed Emily’s seat. “Nah, have at ‘er. What is it that Maggie wants to make sure I understand?”

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