Page 29 of Mechanic’s Christmas Match

“Isn’t that police officer interested in her?” Rory asked, frowning as he tried to remember the man’s name.

“He’s going to be a deputy next year,” Ana said with a smile. “Chad Stransky. And he’s always been into her. I think she likes him too, but she never shows her cards. She says they’re just friends.”

“When she does fall, I bet she’ll fall hard,” Rory predicted.

Ana smiled, clearly liking that idea.

“Speaking of falling hard,” she said, brightening. “I left a message for Maggie to call me today. Hopefully, we’ll hear back soon.”

Rory froze, feeling like someone had thrown a bucket of ice water on him.

“I know it’s been hard to wait,” Ana said, misinterpreting his silence. “But it’s worth it for you to be ready for her, right?”

“Why aren’t you seeing anyone?” Rory asked, his voice coming out a little gruffer than he meant it to.

Ana’s eyes flicked to the living room, and Rory followed her gaze.

Her mother was studiously looking at the blocks that Theo was stacking on the table, but Rory figured she probably couldn’t help listening in. He felt a twinge of guilt for asking Ana the question in front of her family.

“Oh, I’m too busy for all that right now,” Ana said lightly. “Let’s check on our soup.”

He watched her turn and move to grab a pot holder, her long dark hair spilling over her shoulders, and he could feel the bond between them pulling at him like a rope.

All he wanted was to grab her and tilt her chin up to him, force her to look him in the eyes and tell him again that she was too busy for him to love her.

Patience, he reminded himself.

If you start with a good base, the rest will come together with a little patience.

8

ANA

Later that evening, Ana watched as Rory finished reading a picture book to Theo, who had just had his bath and was wearing a pair of fuzzy blue pajamas.

Rory looked more enormous than ever perched on the sofa with little Theo on his lap, a copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar open in his enormous hands.

Theo was gazing up at Rory like the book wasn’t even there, echoing some of his words and expressions as he read.

Ana’s mom was also watching the two of them from her favorite spot on the sofa, looking beautiful as ever, with a fond smile on her face in the soft light of the lamp.

The apartment was warm and cozy and smelled like home cooking, and for a moment Ana imagined what it would be like if Rory didn’t have to go home and instead he shared this life with them.

“What’s your favorite thing that the caterpillar ate?” Rory asked Theo as he closed the book.

Theo grinned at him.

Rory waited patiently.

“A… pickle,” Theo announced loudly, melting into laughter against Rory’s chest.

“You like pickles, huh?” Rory said with a surprised smile.

“Theo likes the word pickle,” Ana explained.

“It’s a funny word,” Rory agreed, a half-smile tugging up his lips as Theo burrowed into his chest.

“It sounds like tickle,” Ana pointed out.