If he’d had any doubt that he needed to stay away from them, seeing the drawing sealed the deal.
Andrew’s gaze went to Morgan’s. So many emotions swirled in those gorgeous green depths. Mostly what he saw was questions. She didn’t understand why he’d worked so hard to stay away from them.
“My picture doesn’t have a ribbon, though,” Greyson pointed out, sounding disappointed.
“Doesn’t matter,” Andrew assured him. “You’re number one in my eyes always, kid.”
Which wasn’t exactly a distancing comment, but it had slipped out unchecked.
Greyson grinned. “I’ve been missing you.”
Andrew wasn’t sure what to say. How was he supposed to put distance between them when all he wanted to do was take them in his arms and not let go?
“I’ve been missing you, too, buddy.” More than Andrew cared to acknowledge. Greyson wasn’t the only one too attached.
Smiling, the boy wrapped his arms around Andrew’s waist. “I love you.”
Stunned and moved to the core, all thoughts of distancing himself gone, Andrew gave in to the emotions within him, hugged Greyson back, and heard himself say, “I love you, too, kid.”
“You okay? ’Cause you don’t look so good.”
Taking a sip of her Christmas punch, Morgan blinked at her cousin, Isabelle. “Um, yeah. I’m fine.”
Isabelle glanced around where Morgan stood by the snack table the fire department had set up and asked, “Where’s Greyson?”
“With Sophie and Cole. He wanted to show them his ornament.” Under normal circumstances, Morgan would have gone with them. This didn’t feel as if it were normal circumstances. Seeing that ornament with its obvious depiction of the day they’d spent with Andrew shredded her raw insides. And then the emotional intensity ratcheted up even further when she watched her son throw his arms around Andrew and declare his love for him.
Greyson had meant what he’d said. He did love the firefighter.
Which had Morgan asking herself how she felt about him and why it bothered her so much that he’d been standoffish, why he hadn’t met her eyes earlier, why she could feel the difference in his interactions even with Greyson?
“Aunt Claudia and Uncle George are on their way. They were a bit nervous as Annabelle got her license and is driving them,” Isabelle continued, then frowning at Morgan, her blue eyes narrowed. “Are you sure you’re feeling okay?”
“I...yeah, just a little shaken up.” She took a deep breath, then needing to give voice to the sentiments overwhelming her, she gave a tight smile. “At Sarah and Bodie’s, I got emotional during their pregnancy announcement and pulled away from Andrew. He’s not acted the same towards me since then.”
Isabelle touched Morgan’s arm. “I’m sorry. I can’t imagine your pain at Trey’s death.”
Morgan closed her eyes, nodded, then took a deep breath. “Greyson’s ornament has me, him, and Andrew drawn on it. I should have known something was up when he wouldn’t let me see it, saying it was a surprise, but it still caught me off guard.”
Isabelle’s lips formed an O. “I take it that you aren’t happy about it?”
Taking a deep breath, Morgan shrugged. “I...I’m not sure. I mean, it’s not what I expected.” Not that she knew what she’d expected. Maybe something more along the lines of what the other kids had drawn with more traditional Christmas colors and ornament patterns. “We had a great time that day, so I shouldn’t be surprised that it stood out in Greyson’s mind.”
“And yours?” Isabelle guessed.
Meeting her cousin’s blue eyes, Morgan nodded. “Am I crazy?”
Isabelle snorted. “Remember who you’re talking to. I think anyone who falls in love is crazy. I’m never doing anything that insane, and I’m stunned you’d even consider it again. But ask my sister”—Isabelle gestured to Sophie, Cole, and Greyson, who were heading back toward them—“and she’ll tell you falling in love is the most wonderful thing in the world. For her, maybe she’s right. I won’t deny that it’s made her happy. In fact, she continuously bubbles with happiness. But it isn’t for me.”
Morgan eyed her cousin curiously, wondering what had Isabelle so anti-romance. “You don’t want to bubble over with happiness?”
“Falling in love isn’t all happy bubbles. Not for my mom and not for you. I do just fine on my own, with my family and my quilt shop, and I don’t need a man messing with my life,” Isabelle pointed out, then smiled at Greyson as the trio stepped up next to them. “Please don’t tell me I missed the viewing by the artist, because I’m super excited to see your coloring sheet.”
Greyson grinned at her, then glanced up at Sophie and Cole. “We need to show Isabelle my ornament, too. Mommy, are you coming this time?”
Morgan swallowed. “I—”
“Actually, Greyson,” Isabelle said, “I think Rosie was looking for your mother to ask her something about the wedding. Are you okay with giving me a private viewing?”
