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When he adopted—whether it was Kyle, one of the other Wilderness Group boys, or a child he’d yet to meet—Justin wanted to give that same cream-of-the-crop family experience.
Riley leaned against his Jeep and sighed. “I guess that makes sense...but I don’t know how you could take a child in and then just let them go.”
He understood. Because it was something he’d battled with since becoming involved with the boys. Having spent so much time with them, it was only logical that he’d want to adopt one of them, should that become a possibility.
“Don’t think harshly of them. It’s what they signed on to do. Foster parents do a great service, taking in kids who have nowhere else to go until the state figures out what’s best for them.”
“You’re right. I know you’re right. But still...” Her lower lip disappeared into her mouth.
He watched her closely. “You couldn’t do it?”
“Be a foster parent?” She shook her head, looking down at Daisy in her arms and scratching the dog’s neck. “I don’t know... I’m not that great with kids but today, being with them—well, I can’t imagine turning my back on them.”
Justin’s insides shook at her confession. Was that why he’d felt such urgency for her to come with them today? To see how she interacted with the boys? To see how they interacted with her? Stan’s wife had canceled on them, but they’d have been fine even if Riley hadn’t gone with them.
He hadn’t consciously been doing so, but if he’d been testing Riley she’d just aced the test.
And if she hadn’t—then what?
Then nothing.
He’d never meant to become involved with anyone who didn’t want a houseful of kids. Whether or not Riley wanted kids hadn’t mattered. He’d been drawn to her and any “rules” he’d given himself about future romantic interests had been irrelevant.
“They’d be lucky to have you,” he said, and meant it.
Her cheeks flushed a bright pink. “Ha! I know nothing about kids.”
She looked so flustered it piqued his curiosity.“No natural instincts?”
“None.”
He didn’t believe her—not after having seen her with the boys. She’d opened right up to Kyle, had shown patience and kindness to the boy.
“I was an only child of an only child, so no siblings or cousins. And none of my close friends have kids,” she continued. “If I do have natural maternal instincts they’ve not had any reason to come out.”
“Until today?”
Her gaze lifted, and even though he couldn’t see behind her mirrored glasses he knew her eyes were filled with surprise.
“You think I was being maternal today?”
Her question was raw—as if his answer mattered way more than it should, as if her merit was somehow being weighed. As it had at the party, her vulnerability shocked him.
“I think the boys, and Kyle in particular, brought out your protective instincts.”
Considering what he’d said, and seeming pleased with the conclusions she drew, she smiled. “Maybe you’re right.”
“Haven’t you figured it out yet?”
“What’s that?”
“I’m always right,” he teased, thinking that when it came to Riley he really had been. Right to think there was something special between them.
He might not be able to see behind her glasses, but he knew she was rolling her eyes, which didn’t bother him in the slightest. She was smiling and so was he.
He glanced around the parking area. All the kids except Stephen and Jevon were gone. The boys were sitting on the lowered tailgate of Stan’s truck while Stan dug through a bag on the passenger floorboard.
Justin hesitated. As much as he wanted to suggest dinner, or whatever Riley would agree to, he couldn’t just leave Stan with Jevon.
