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As soon as he took the baby from her arms, she turned and headed around the bounce house. He wanted to go after her, but Douglas started crying even louder and he figured he needed to deal with one upset person at a time. He shifted the baby to his shoulder and patted his back as he walked to the house. Once the baby was with his mama, Jesse went in search of Liberty.
He found her sitting on the ground behind the bounce house. He sat down next to her, stretching out his legs and crossing his dog paws in an attempt to get her to laugh. She didn’t.
“You okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine. I just needed a little break.”
“Yeah. I forgot how tiring kids’ birthday parties are.” He shot her a glance. “Especially when you’re the life of the party.” He shook his floppy ears and woofed.
A smile tipped the corner of her mouth. “You were. Pip wants to keep you—even though you have tartar and worms.” She glanced at him. “Exactly how did she find out you had worms?”
“She had to check out my fecal sample.” When Liberty’s eyes widened, he laughed. “It was a Tootsie Roll she dissected with a pair of kid’s scissors.” He shook his head. “All I can say is the kid is going to make a great vet. And I don’t think she’ll ever forget this party. Good job, Libby Lou.” He hesitated. “Especially when you’re scared to death of kids.”
“I’m not scared of kids.”
“Then you want to explain the terrified look you’ve had the entire party and the panic attack when I handed you Douglas?”
He thought she would deny her reactions. Instead, she spoke in a soft whisper he could barely hear. “I can’t have kids. I have endometriosis and it’s left a lot of scar tissue on my ovaries.”
Everything fell into place. She wasn’t scared of kids. She was scared that she’d never have her own. Which confused him.
“I thought you weren’t interested in having kids.”
“I thought I wasn’t. But now that it’s unlikely I can get pregnant . . .” She let the sentence drift off, but he understood. It was one thing to make that decision for yourself and another to have it taken from you.
He pulled the paws off his hands and drew her into his arms. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t know what to say. Sorry didn’t seem like enough. So he just held her. She didn’t sob or cry like most women would have. She just burrowed into the fake fur of his costume and clung to him as if he were a lifeline. Since Liberty was not a clinger, it broke his heart just as much as her tears.
After a while, he spoke. “My adoptive mama, Shirlene, couldn’t have kids. She tried for years and years and finally just gave up. Then four ornery foster kids showed up on her doorstep. I guess God had a plan for her all along. She said she just wished He had clued her in on it a little sooner so she wouldn’t have wasted all that money on fertility doctors and pregnancy tests.”
He felt more than heard Liberty’s chuckle. “Your mama sounds like a fun woman.”
“You have no idea. She believes in living life to the fullest.” He stroked her hair, loving the way it felt sliding through his fingers. “You remind me of her.”
She glanced up at him. He could lose himself in those green eyes. “I thought you said I didn’t know how to let go and just have fun.”
“You’re getting better at it.”
She was. There was a light in her eyes that hadn’t been there before. A light that drew him much more than any sexual chemistry between them. She tried to act like a tough businesswoman who could handle a sexual relationship with no strings and no attachments—a realist who knew that happily-ever-afters weren’t for everyone. But he realized now that it was all a façade.
Liberty Holiday did believe in happily-ever-after. How could she not when she’d grown up in a big farmhouse with a loving family? She hadn’t lived the harsh reality Jesse had lived. She hadn’t had to install a shield for her heart to keep it safe.
Jesse could feel that shield going up right now. But before it was completely in place, he couldn’t stop himself from taking one last kiss. Her sweet lips melted beneath his and for a second—just a second—he let himself feel everything he was starting to feel for this woman. All the emotions he kept so tightly under lock and key.
Then he drew back and spoke the words that needed to be spoken. Not only to shield him from pain, but also to shield Liberty.
“You won. I’m going to convince Corbin to stop the foreclosure proceedings.”
Her eyes registered surprise before they narrowed. “Oh, you’re good, Jesse Cates. You’re extremely good. This is where you expect me to fall head over boots into bed with you.”
He glanced around. “Well, it might be risky. But if you’re willing to take the chance, darlin’, I am too.” He went to pull her back into his arms, but, as he knew she would, she slapped his hands away. “
“I wasn’t talking about here, you ingrate. The only reason you’d ever lose a bet is if you think it will ultimately get you what you want. Well, you’re out of luck this time. I’m not falling for your man-with-a-golden-heart act. But a man’s word is a man’s word. Since you already declared yourself the loser, there’s no reneging.”
He didn’t have to try to conjure up a look of disappointment. He was disappointed—disappointed in himself for not being brave enough to take a chance. He knew it wouldn’t be long before a much braver man than he came along and loved Liberty the way she deserved to be loved. With his entire heart. A heart that wasn’t damaged.
Before he could think of some witty reply, Pip appeared with her horde of friends trailing behind her. Her eyes lit up when she saw him. “There you are, Fluffy! Come on, we’re going into the bouncy house.” She grabbed his hand and tried to tug him to his feet.
He looked at Liberty for help, but she just grinned and handed him his paws. “You can’t disappoint the birthday girl, Fluffy.”
