Bonnie laughed. “I miss having them this little. They haven’t figured out yet that talking back is a thing.”
“I’m sure they’re saving it all up for the next couple of years when it really counts most,” Gwen said before taking a sip of her smoothie.
“Teenage!” Bonnie said.
“Oh, gosh. Don’t remind me,” Gwen said, leaning her head back against the pillows stacked high behind her. “This is so good,” Gwen said.
“Isn’t it, though? Greek yogurt, honey — pasteurized, not raw, cause babies — blueberries, strawberries, banana, and vanilla ice cream.”
“Oh, yeah. That’s the stuff,” Gwen said, taking another sip.
“Now, y’all eat your food, too. I’ll be back with some coffee in just a few minutes.”
Bonnie left the room and Gwen watched Rance, squatting down beside Beck and Beau, making sure they were set up and their food was cut up in small enough pieces. She smiled to herself, seeing the bond already forming between the boys and Rance. He was really good with them, patient and kind.
“Okay, now I’m going to help Momma eat her breakfast, and you guys finish yours, okay?”
Both boys, busy chewing their food, just nodded as they used their toddler forks to spear another piece of French toast.
Rance turned around and caught Gwen watching wearing a slight smile and tears in her eyes before she had time to blink them away.
“You alright?” he asked.
She nodded and looked away.
“What’s got you teary-eyed? Do you need something?” he asked.
“No, I’m okay.”
He watched her for a few more moments. “Did I do something?” he asked, wanting to make it right, whatever it was.
“Not like you’re thinking. I’m just thankful.”
“For?”
“You, taking on caring for me and my boys without hesitation. Down to making sure their food is cut up. Not many men would do that. They’re already responding to you like they’ve known you all their lives.”
“It’s important to me that they’re comfortable here, too. They need to know they’re safe and free to be whoever they want to be so they can grow up strong and confident,” Rance said.
Gwen nodded ever so slightly as she looked away from him and quickly blinked her eyes a few times to scatter the few tears that were beginning to pool again.
“I know it’s hard, but it’ll be okay. I promise, I’ll make sure of it,” Rance said.
“I know. Grail was right.”
Rance canted his head a bit, focusing on her. “What do you mean?” he asked.
“He said that I was to come here and to trust you. That you’d take care of the three of us.”
“He said that? That you were to trust me?”
Gwen nodded. “I know why, I’m not a fool. But that instinct doesn’t mean that either party is a good person. Something in Grail knew you were, and are. He knew we’d be safe with you.”
“How do you feel about that?”
“I feel flattered that he cared enough to send us to you. I feel angry that he didn’t leave with us. I feel grateful that we were accepted here. And when I see you interact with Beau and Beck, I know that this is where we belong. But…” she stopped talking, her eyes dropping from focusing on him to look at the smoothie in her hands.
“You can’t help but feel a little guilty.”
