Slowly, I nodded. “That looked like two sets of twins—three-year-olds and newborns.”
“Jesus.”
“Well, they might not be from the same family.” Yet the parents had looked just harried enough that they might be. I cocked my head. “Do you want kids?” Then I mentally smacked myself upside the head. “I’ve hardly said anything, and I’m asking you about your parenting preferences.”
He chuckled. “That’s okay. That can be a deal-breaker, right? For some guys? Oh, and women as well.”
I nodded as we continued forward. “That’s true—but we haven’t even decided what we’re having for lunch, let alone our life plan.”
Again, he laughed. “I like you, Cody. You’re forthright.” He put his hand above his eyes, like a salute, and gazed out over the sprawling hills. “At one time, I thought I wanted kids. But wewere always so damn busy with the company. Well, and at first, adopting was tougher. By the time things got easier, we sort of figured we were past fatherhood. I poured everything into the business—even knowing I wasn’t creating a legacy for a future child. I figured we’d work hard until we hit sixty. Then we’d sell the business and retire with our savings.” He chuckled.
Not a happy sound.
“I’m fifty-three years old and starting again with less than nothing.”
I wanted to say something trite about having his health and a job, but those words weren’t going to soothe his pain. He wore his hurt on his sleeve—at least with me. In a way, I was grateful for that. I didn’t want him feeling he had to hide things from me. “You remember I told you about my coworker, Justin?”
“Yeah. Oh, do you have some paperwork for me?”
“In my SUV.” I snapped my fingers. “Right. Rainbow said you were coming in—but she was appropriately cagey.”
“I’m seeing Justin on Tuesday night.”
“Okay. Now that all makes sense.”
We continued walking.
“So, Justin’s a relatively young guy—just a couple of years older than me.”
“Okay.”
“His husband is a fair bit older.”
“Okay.” He sounded a little less certain.
“I’m not telling you anything you wouldn’t be able to piece together for yourself. Stanley, Justin’s husband, was forty-eight when his half-brother died. The man left behind an orphaned son.”
“Christ.”
“Yep. A nephew Stanley knew nothing about.”
“Oh.” He cut me a gaze.
“Long story.” This part wasn’t mine to tell, even though Justin had offered the story openly. And Angus—their adopted son—had mentioned something to me as well. “Anyway, Justin and Stanley adopted ten-year-old Angus. And recently adopted a young girl they’d fostered. Opal. Cutest five-year-old you’ll ever meet.”
“And…?” He didn’t ask unkindly—just like he couldn’t piece something together in his mind.
“Stanley’s over fifty with a thirteen-year-old, a five-year-old, and a much younger husband.”
Lorcan stumbled.
Fortunately, toward me and despite his size, I was able to steady him. “You okay?”
He glanced back. “I tripped on the sidewalk.”
“Are you tired?” Because that was better than asking if my pointing out older men could have families as well as younger guys had startled him.
“A little.” He rubbed his face. “I didn’t sleep well last night.”
