Page 74 of Rumor Has It

“Good.” She knocks away an escaped tear, mouthing ‘I’m sorry’. We sit there, fingers laced, our eyes locked, and all I can think about is how to make her love me again.

Rumor taps my thigh. “Want to see my room?”

“Umm…” My eyes dart to Mackenzie, and she gives a quick nod. “Sure.”

She takes my hand and leads me through the house. I scan the place as we walk. They don’t have much, but Mackenzie has done an amazing job making sure Rumor has everything she needs.

She spins into her room. “This is it!”

“I love it!” I say, earning me a huge smile. “Did you draw all of these?”

She peers at me, wide-eyes. “Yes, I love to make things.”

“And read, I see.” I slide her stack of books around, looking through them.

Rumor stands close to me, and my heart grows three sizes. “I like to read a lot. These are my favorite right now. I don’t understand everything in them, but Momma says to keep reading, and it’ll make sense one day.” She pushes her mechanics and law book over to me.

“You know, I could help with this one.” I hold the entertainment law up. “I’m pretty good at it.”

“You are?” She raises her brows.

“I am, and your mom can handle this with her eyes closed.” I tap the mechanics book. “She’s the best I’ve ever known.”

“Hey, you two. Are you hungry?” Mackenzie startles us, and we jump, giggling.

Rumor fans herself. “Sweet tea and lemons, you gave me a fright.”

“Where do you get these sayings?” Mackenzie shakes her head.

Rumor half shrugs. “School.”

“Of course, the land of learning.” I hold my hands up. Mackenzie rolls her eyes at us, earning herself a wink from me.

She points to the bathroom. “Wash up, and come eat.”

After dinner, we sit around the living room. Mackenzie and Rumor tell stories about one another for hours, laughing until the sun sets. Before we know it, it’s late, and Rumor dozes off as we talk.

“I need to put her to bed; give me just a second.” Mackenzie stands, tiptoeing over to Rumor.

I hesitate, drawing her attention. “Would you mind?”

“No, not at all.” Her eyes glisten.

I stand, quietly joining her, and pick this perfectly beautiful child off the floor and carry her through the house. Rumor rubs her cheek into my shirt, the one I may never wash again.

Mackenzie slips around us, pulling her covers down. “Here you go.”

“Good night, my love.” I press my lips to her temple, relishing the smell of her hair. I lay her down, seeing her as a baby, not a growing child. The pounding my chest has taken the last few days should make me sore, but it hasn’t.

I watch as Mackenzie kisses her, covering her up. She turns, shewing me from the room. “She’s out, but I figured you’d stand there all night if I didn’t move you.”

“Probably.” I shrug, chuckling.

She follows me back to the living room. I stand by the couch, not sure if I should leave or stay. Her eyes flicker to mine when she settles in, getting comfortable.

“Are you leaving?” She begins to stand, but I wave her off.

“I wasn’t sure if you’d want me to stay any longer.”