Page 110 of Cowboy's Last Stand
When they arrived at Marcus’s school, she let go of Jason’s hand.He didn’t make an issue of it.They needed to have a serious discussion, but this was neither the time nor the place.The problems between them couldn’t be solved with a simple apology or a bunch of flowers, though she appreciated the gesture.Marcus bounded down the steps a few minutes later.He beamed at the sight of Jason.Rushing toward them, Marcus gave Natalie his customary tackle-hug.Then he greeted Jason the same way.Jason lifted the boy off his feet and turned him upside-down with joyful ease.Marcus squealed with laughter.
“How about coffee?”Jason said.“My treat.”
Natalie nodded her agreement.They went to the café across from the library, which had sweets that Marcus liked.Jason talked her into having a cappuccino with him while Marcus demolished a cupcake.As she enjoyed the frothy drink, she noticed Jason watching her intently.She moistened her lips, self-conscious.
“Your birthday’s coming up,” she said to Marcus.
He chugged a carton of milk.“Yep.December 1.”
“Do you know what you want?”
Marcus glanced at Jason, as if seeking his approval.Jason gave a slight shake of his head.Natalie wondered what expensive or inappropriate gifts Marcus had in mind.Weapons, a cell phone, a monster truck?
“I want a puppy,” Marcus said.
She took another sip of her drink to stall for time.He’d asked for a dog last year too.She’d told him to wait until he was older because she couldn’t take care of a puppy on top of her other responsibilities.Her gaze met Jason’s once again.He said nothing, but his eyes were dark with longing.If they became a family, having a pet was doable.She could imagine Marcus and Jason playing fetch with a floppy-eared pup in the backyard.
“We’ll see,” she said huskily.
Marcus listed a few other items he wanted, and they talked about his day at school.After leaving the café, they spent a quiet afternoon at home.Marcus and Jason did tai chi.She arranged the flowers in a glass vase on the dining room table.Jason disappeared into the upstairs apartment for an hour but returned with an offer to take them out to dinner.
Marcus chose his favorite pizza place.While they waited for the pizza, Marcus spent a handful of Jason’s quarters trying to capture a prize with a claw in a game machine.Jason finally secured the toy himself.It was an action figure from Marcus’s favorite movie.Victorious, Marcus watched another kid try to win a similar prize.Natalie put her hand on Jason’s arm.They stepped away for a private chat.
“What did he tell you he wanted for his birthday?”
Jason gave her a blank look.
“You haven’t talked about it before?”
“He has mentioned wanting something,” Jason admitted.
“What?”
He leaned forward to speak into her ear.“A little brother.”
Her mouth fell open.“You’re kidding.”
“No.”
“He asked you to make this happen?”
Jason’s lips quirked into a smile.“He did.He says he knows how babies are made.”
“I told him,” she said, rubbing her temples.“Why did I do that?”
“For the record, I didn’t say I could deliver on it.”
“Good.”
He turned his gaze toward Marcus for a moment, and his smile faded.“Did you and Mike want more kids?”
A bittersweet longing bloomed inside her chest at the question.Mike had wanted a big family—as many kids as she would agree to.They’d joked together about the number.He’d suggested six, then tickled her until she’d collapsed with laughter.
Jason waited for her to answer with patience.When she didn’t say anything, he squeezed her arm and let it go.He didn’t want to make the same mistake he’d made the other night.He’d crossed the line, and he knew it.
He was trying.
She’d asked him to take better care of himself, and he’d made an effort.He’d started sleeping indoors even though it was difficult for him.She’d pushed him as much as he’d pushed her, if not more.But he was still here, doing his best.He wanted to stay.That was why he’d brought her flowers at work.He was angling for another chance with her.
