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“Hi, Gabe,” she said, a tentative smile on her face. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
Gabe buried his face on Jarrett’s shoulder, then twisted to peek at Carlie, letting out another wail.
Carlie held her hands out. “Want to sit on my lap for a little bit?”
Gabe practically scaled Jarrett’s stomach in an effort to flee, his sob morphing into a fearful wail. Surely he couldn’t tell it wasn’t Rylie. Their faces and voices were practically identical.
“Don’t take it personally,” Jarrett said, in response to Carlie’s stricken expression. “He’s traumatized. I know a little Spanish, but he won’t even try to talk to me. He hasn’t eaten since noon, so he’s bound to be hungry. He didn’t seem interested in anything I had in the refrigerator.”
“What should we do? Should I go wake Rylie up and see if she can help?”
“I’m already awake.” Rylie’s voice came from the stairs behind him, and Jarrett twisted to see her descending the steps. His heart gave a weird thud. In her loose pajamas and bare feet, she looked young and innocent, her hair hanging in dark-blonde, wet strands that emphasized her big blue eyes. Guilt smothered him. He’d demanded so much from her already, and now he was back, interrupting her sleep because he couldn’t handle his son… his responsibility. He should’ve known this would happen. Juanita had volunteered to help him communicate with Gabe. Why hadn’t he made arrangements in advance? Now he was back, asking for Rylie’s help, again. It was too much.
“What’s the matter, Gabe?” Rylie called over his keening cry, as she reached the bottom of the stairs.
“I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Jarrett said. “I should take him home and—”
Gabe’s cries halted. He wriggled out of Jarrett’s grasp and ran toward Rylie, who knelt down and opened her arms. Looping his arms and legs around her like a monkey, he clung to her and cried, letting out a string of unrecognizable Spanish.
“Shhhh.” Rylie stood, rubbing his back with soothing strokes. “You’re okay. You’re fine.”
He quieted, his head buried in her neck.
“He hasn’t eaten.” Carlie hopped to her feet, heading toward the kitchen. “I could whip something up for him. He needs a hot meal.”
“Something simple. Not your usual fancy stuff.” Rylie swayed from one foot to the other, soothing Gabe with the motion.
“I’ll see what people cook in Puerto Rico,” Carlie called over her shoulder as she snatched her phone from her pocket.
Rylie followed Carlie into the kitchen, ignoring Jarrett altogether. He couldn’t help smiling as he trailed behind. Watching these two interact brought back pleasant memories of an earlier time. Nine years ago. Before the breakup. Before feelings were hurt. Before life got so complicated.
“Oh! Here’s something quick and easy,” Carlie said. “All I need is some sautéed onions and bell peppers, Minute Rice, and a can of beans.”
“We have all that?” Rylie grabbed a loaf of bread and sat at the table, with Gabe’s stranglehold still around her neck.
“I told you, Tuesday, I went to the grocery store and stocked up your pantry.” Carlie worked quickly, heating up butter in a saucepan as she sliced onion and bell pepper. “You’ve got to start eating better.”
“Can I get a piece of bread out for you?” Jarrett took the loaf from Rylie, who’d been attempting to open it one-handed.
“Thanks.” She flashed a tired smile and attempted, unsuccessfully, to peel Gabe’s arms away. “Turn around, sweetie. Let’s eat something.”
“I couldn’t even get him to drink.” Jarrett left a slice of bread on a napkin and retrieved a glass of ice water. “He needs to drink before he eats.”
Rylie wrenched her neck free, in spite of Gabe’s protests, and twisted him so his back was against her. Her arms wrapped around him like a straitjacket, he jutted his lip forward.
“He’s mad at me, but at least he’s not crying anymore.” Rylie’s stomach made a loud gurgle, and she laughed. “I bet he smells those sautéed onions, like I do.”
Jarrett set the ice water on the table. “See if you can get him to drink.”
Rylie’s nose wrinkled on top. “He probably isn’t used to ice water. Why don’t you try tap water?”
Jarrett slapped his palm on his forehead. “I’ve spent enough time at that orphanage to know they don’t have ice-cold drinks. I don’t know what I was thinking.” He carried the glass to the sink and dumped it out, filling it with water from the faucet.
“Are you thirsty?” Rylie asked Gabe, releasing her vise-grip to offer him some water. His gaze flicked to her and back to the glass, but he made no move to take it. However, he didn’t object when she lifted it to his lips, and he drank greedily.
“Thank goodness.” Yet the minor victory made Jarrett panic. He’d never felt so out-of-control in his life, not even facing chemotherapy or the loss of his leg. He’d assumed he would handle fatherhood as he’d handled everything else in his life… with hard work and perseverance. He’d never considered that Gabe, who’d been friendly and affectionate when Jarrett had visited the orphanage, might reject him as a father.
“Don’t worry, Jarrett. He’s going to bond with you eventually,” Rylie said, pressing a kiss to the top of Gabe’s head.
