Page 56 of The Guest Cottage

For the first time in what felt like forever, she’d slept soundly, comfortably. The meds had relieved her endless coughing and lowered her fever. This morning, she had a future she could almost imagine, instead of a nightmare she had to face.

Even Andy had slept longer than usual, but then, there hadn’t been noisy people in the hallway or in the parking lot of the motel constantly startling him awake.

In half a minute, she was back to Andy. She quickly changed his diaper and then crawled back into the soft bed, a plump pillow behind her back, so he could nurse. He was such a little glutton, and she knew she’d do anything for him.Anything.

Gently, she brushed her lips against the top of his head. She’d lost so much recently, most importantly her self-respect, but she had her baby, and he was a greater gift than anything she’d ever known. Compared to providing for his care and his safety, her self-respect meant nothing at all.

“Did you know people like these existed, Andy? I didn’t.” She drew a careful breath, trying not to cough, and concentrated on getting her emotions under control. “Now that I know, I swear to you, I’ll learn to be like them. I’ll get stronger and smarter, and I’ll get things figured out so that you can have the best life possible.” She said it aloud and sealed the promise in her heart.

Whatever it took, even if it meant more groveling, and working 24/7, she would create a better future for Andy.

Even as she made that vow, exhaustion had her yawning. It was her constant companion, weighing so heavily on her that at times, she’d felt she’d just fade away. As someone who had been healthy most of her life, she didn’t know how to deal with all this illness, except to keep trying.

For Andy.

So many people suggested she rest, as if that was a simple thing, but how could she? She’d botched most of her responsibilities, but she wouldn’t mess up loving her son. Until the day she died, she’d give him all the love and care she had.

When his little belly was full, she burped him and then snagged the laundry basket that was currently his bed. He wouldn’t be awake too long, probably no more than an hour, two at most, so she’d wait for her shower. Putting the laundry basket in the kitchen, but keeping Andy in her arms, she fixed a bowl of cold cereal.

How novel it felt to eat a favorite cereal, not in a grungy motel room but in this adorable little house, at a clean little table. It was so quiet, and the silence felt peaceful.

While she ate, she talked to Andy, snuggled him, blew raspberries on his little tummy, and kissed his tiny fingers and toes.

He was her precious little miracle, her reason for living. How amazing would it be if they could live forever in this house, beside a lake, near these wonderful people?

No, she had no illusions that it was possible, but it was a nice, if greedy, dream. The real plan, what she needed to focus on, was learning, surviving, and making things better for Andy. That was her goal.

And someday, somehow, she’d pay back this debt so she could like herself once again.

Outside, she heard birds coming awake with song, and when she walked to the window, she could see the most remarkable sunrise creeping over the lake.

“Nothing bad can happen here,” she whispered to Andy, praying it was true. “This time, finally, I made a good decision.”

* * *

Lazily, Marlow stirred awake . . . and realized her nose was against a hairy chest. Mmm, this was a delightful turn of events. When she quietly drew a deep breath, Cort’s scent filled her, sending a spiral of pleasure straight through to her heart.

Her movements woke Cort, and he stretched awake, too. Of course, he knew right off that he wasn’t at home in his own bed alone. She had a feeling that little would ever get past this quiet, astute Marine.

Golden brown eyes glanced down at her, and when he saw she was awake and staring back, he gave her a slow, sexy smile.

Who knew a Marine could be so dangerous just by waking up? “This is a better view than the sunrise—which I think we missed.”

“There will be more sunrises.” He tugged her up to rest on his chest, letting his hands settle on her behind. “Good morning, beautiful.”

How something—or rather, someone—so amazingly hard could also be so comfortable, she didn’t know. Not to be shallow, but Cort’s body was honed to perfection . . . and it thrilled her.

Normally, getting frisky first thing in the morning would have made her worry about morning breath and tangled hair, and she would have made a quick escape to the bathroom. But not now. Not with Cort.

Her eyes were opened to a whole new perspective on life. She planned to embrace every moment, all things big and small. Astounding how her viewpoint could alter so quickly, and because of the most unusual events.

After meeting Pixie, the proverbial “other woman,” and spending a sizzling night with Cort, she felt less like the scorned wife in the bizarre scenario and more like the lucky one who’d gotten away.

What ifshe’dhad a baby with Dylan? What if she’d not discovered his betrayal and had gone on in blissful ignorance of his deceit?

Her gaze drifted over Cort’s broad chest, his hard shoulders and defined biceps, and then lingered on his Marine tattoo.Semper Fi. She’d looked it up, of course, because everything about Cort fascinated her.Semper Fideliswas Latin foralways faithful.

“What are you thinking?” he asked, his voice a dark, quiet rumble.

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