Page 48 of Tear Me to Pieces
Again, she’s got a baby—this time Felicity and Cody’s newest. And again, the happiness on her face is unlike I’ve ever seen it. She turns her smile my way as I approach. “Hey.”
“Hey.” I reach out to smooth one finger over the baby’s soft head. “You on babysitting duty?”
Myra’s eyes move over my face. “For now.”
I step closer, wanting more of this moment. To pretend—just for a second—this isn’t Cody’s baby. That I finally have everything I’ve always wanted.
And I want Myra.
“Thank you so much.” Felicity slices the moment in half as she reaches out to scoop away the baby. “I had to pee so bad.”
Myra’s smile slips a little. “Any time.”
“You’re an angel.” Felicity gives Myra a quick kiss on the cheek before joining Cody and their other kids at the huge table running up one side of the space.
Myra crosses her now empty arms over her chest, a hint of sadness pinching her expression. I hate it, because I know exactly how she feels.
Even if you don’t grieve the loss of a relationship, you can still miss parts of it. The loss of what might have been. And I think that’s what Myra’s feeling right now. The loss of what she could have had if things had been different.
I know exactly how she feels.
“Come on.” I press a hand to her back. “Let’s go get you some food.”
The rest of the evening is a blur of eating, catching up, and entertaining kids. By the time it’s wrapping up, I’m more than ready to have Myra to myself again, so I don’t waste any time getting her out the door and into the dark quiet of the evening.
I wait until we’re outside before wrapping the flannel I brought around her shoulders. She might not need it, but I like the sight of her wearing something that’s mine. It shows who’s taking care of her. Who makes sure she’s warm and safe.
Makes it look like she’s mine.
As I lead her across the street, Myra peeks over one shoulder before looking up at me, voice low. “You guys didn’t tell everyone else Butch broke in.” Her lips press together. “Or that he asked about the house across the street.”
I shake my head. “We decided there was too much we didn’t know. Something’s going on with him, and it doesn’t feel right giving him up right now. We’ve done a lot wrong, and I can’t expect forgiveness if we won’t give it to him.”
Myra continues watching me instead of where we’re going, letting me guide her along. “I know you think you’ve still got a lot to make up for, but I don’t think you do.” She picks her way up the steps, one hand holding my T-shirt for added support as we go. “You’re one of the best men I’ve ever met.”
Her compliment makes me pause. “Is that what you were so busy thinking about while you were filling all those screw holes?”
“No.” Myra shakes her head, stopping on the stoop of her house to turn to me. Her blue eyes are wide as they meet mine. She lifts her chin a little, standing taller as she says, “I was thinking about how we should have a baby together.”
17
MYRA
I’ve heardhow Simon talks about the little boy he once took care of like his own, and I just witnessed firsthand the way he looks at all the babies and kids filling the firehouse. I saw how he focused on them. The way his eyes lingered over the dads playing with their kids.
I know he wants that too.
Which is why I’m sort of surprised he doesn’t immediately jump on my suggestion.
“I think I’m going to need you to repeat that.” Simon says the words slowly. Like he’s trying to make sense of mine and it’s inhibiting his ability to form his own.
But I feel like I was pretty clear.
“We should have a baby together.” I decide to explain a little more this round. “I want to be a mom. It’s pretty obvious you want to be a dad. Why not kill two birds with one stone?”
I’ve been thinking about it all day, and it just makes sense. We make a good team. Between my house project and the way wetag-teamed Butch last night, it’s obvious we work well together. Isn’t that what having a kid is? Work?
Simon must not be following, because he still doesn’t react the way I’m expecting.
