Page 8 of Handsome
Sarah sniffled back a tear. “I’m sorry my sister…” Then shook her head and let my mom go, saying, “I’m sorry too.”
My mom beckoned for us to follow her, like I was still a child, as she said, “Let’s get you settled in a room, Sarah. Most of the family has left, but never mind that. Are you hungry?”
Sarah rested her hand on her stomach. “I… a little.”
My mother glanced at me like I’d flunked the hospitality test and then directed us into the dining room. “Let’s get you something to eat.”
Sarah stalled near the door and her face went white as she said, “I'm sure I can find the kitchen myself.”
My mother returned, clearly intending to guide Sarah. “Nonsense, you’re our guest. Please, come in and sit.”
I moved closer and reached for her hand before my mother did. However, the second I brushed against her sparks cascaded through me. I ignored how alive my body was with her as I said, “I’ll bring her right back. I’m sure she’ll want to see the nursery first.”
Maman nodded and said, “Dinner will be warmed up.”
She held my hand without question until we made it to the stairs. When she let me go, a chill followed, like the sun had gone behind a cloud as she said, “I… thank you. All I've eaten today were some Reese’s hours ago. I thought I’d be back in Manhattan by now, and then…”
“Don’t worry,” I whispered.
Tonight would have been very different for all of us if she hadn't missed the bus. But I’d never say that out loud, ever. Instead I walked her down a hall filled with art and statutes and guided her to a bedroom on the east side with the ocean view. I opened it as I said, “This is the nursery.”
She held her waist and twisted on her feet to take stock of the room with the white crib, the rocking chair in the corner, the tent with a rug, and toy bins. She sighed and said, “It looks ready for him.”
I lowered my son into the crib, and he remained asleep as I whispered, “Maman is always wanting grandchildren.” I then directed her out.
I grabbed the video cam and the instructions for adding it to our phones now Joshua was in there sleeping, and followed right behind her sexy, swaying ass. As I closed the door behind us, I said, “Once you’ve rested, we can talk about where you want to go.”
I handed her the directions as she said, “Me?”
The camera worked fine because I could see my sleeping son. But her ten-year-old phone didn’t support the app, so I switched with her and promised myself I'd get her a new phone tomorrow. “I took time off so we can bond with Joshua, wherever we choose.”
She clutched the monitor like she needed it and said, “Wherever you want is fine. But I don’t have a passport.”
Errands would take care of all that. I shrugged and said, “Then tomorrow we’ll need to take your picture.”
“Sure,” she said and rocked on her feet.
Right. I walked her a few feet away and opened the next room, which had a bed. I glanced back at her while my lips tingled with the urge to taste her, and my heart fluttered. But I stayed right where I was and only pointed from the door. “This is your room. That door goes right to Joshua.”
Her head swiveled as she took in the vaulted ceilings and original paintings by an artist my mother was now supporting.
She held her stomach and said, “This is more than I expected.”
When she turned toward me, she lowered her head.
My pulse raced like I needed to get her to open up when I said, “Clothes will arrive soon.”
She shook her head. “I don’t need anything. Can you tell your parents I’ll stay here and out of the way?”
She didn’t understand what my name meant. I had the best, which meant she now had the best too. However, I beckoned for her to join me and not escape into her room and close the door behind her. “That’s not going to happen. They’ll send food to your room and maybe a doctor. Are you sick?”
She put her hand on her hip and smiled. “I thought you were a doctor.”
She lit up, and I forgot where I was as I asked, “Do you need me to write a report?”
Her smile got bigger and then she shrugged, closing the door behind her. “Okay. I admitted I was hungry. Let’s go.”
We went back down the stairs together, and everything in my life seemed lighter despite the horrible tragedy she’d suffered. I gently bumped into her and said, “You’re lucky you missed dinner earlier. All eleven of my brothers were here.”
