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Jarrett opened his arms and she fell against him. “Whatever it is, we’ll handle it.”
Her entire body trembled with the same fear that filled his gut. He squeezed tighter, drawing strength from her as he gave his. How quickly he’d grown accustomed to having her as his partner. How had he made it on his own for thirty-six years?
Rylie was quiet on the drive to the office, probably as lost in worries as he was. Why had the caseworker contacted Matthew? Had Jarrett’s application for permanent adoption been denied? If she’d seen an issue, why hadn’t she talked to Jarrett and Rylie first, to give them a chance to correct it? Was her decision final or was there someone higher up? Would Gabe still be allowed to stay with Jarrett and Rylie until his chemotherapy was complete?
“I hope it wasn’t something I did,” Rylie murmured. “I’d never forgive myself.”
He reached for her hand, wresting it away from her lap, and laced their fingers together. “We’re a team, Rylie. We worked together and we did our best to love Gabe and give him a good home. This isn’t the time to blame anyone or take on guilt you don’t deserve. And even if we’ve lost this battle, I’m not giving up. There has to be some sort of appeal process.”
“I’m trying to remember, but I can’t… Was I snarky around Elaina? Maybe she thought I wasn’t taking it seriously.”
“You weren’t snarky at all. You barely even spoke.”
“Was I too quiet? She probably thought I was stuck up.”
He tightened his grip on her hand. “You were fine. If anything, it was because of me. Maybe she didn’t like my cologne.”
“No. Your cologne is yummy. She probably noticed the awful colors in the master bedroom.”
He liked theyummycomment, but left it alone. “The master bedroom… that must be it. One eyeful and Elaina wrote us off as nuts. Fluorescent red and orange.”
“Don’t forget the turquoise.”
“Even worse,” Jarrett added, though he had no idea what color turquoise was.
“The other couple won’t love him as much as we do.” He heard a sniff and glanced over to see tear tracks on her face.
“No one could.” He blinked fast at his own stinging eyes. Now was not the time to lose control. Rylie needed him. Then a terrifying thought struck. If they’d lost Gabe, there was no reason for Rylie to stay married to him. He’d thought he had ten months to win her over, but he might only have ten minutes. What could he say?
“Rylie, I—” “Jarrett, I—” They spoke at the same time, and laughed.
“Go ahead,” Jarrett said. He needed time to think.
“I was just going to say I…” She yanked her hand free, crossing her arms and tucking it away. “To say I don’t regret getting married, no matter what.”
“You don’t?”
“No.” She tucked her plump lower lip between her teeth, and he had to force his eyes away before he had a wreck. “Because I… I love… I love being a mom.”
“That’s good,” he said, though he didn’t mean it. Her statement only confirmed his fears. If they lost Gabe, he was going to lose Rylie, too.
“What were you going to say?” she asked.
“That I hate that someone broke your heart. And that guy, the one you loved, whoever he is… don’t give him a second chance.”
Her belly laugh surprised him.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing. Just that it’s kind of too late. I’m already giving him a second chance.”
“But you shouldn’t, not when he’s already hurt you. What if God has someone else for you, and you’re so stuck on this jerk you miss the other guy?”
Moisture welled in her eyes. She must really be stuck on this dude. What could he have done to earn that kind of loyalty, even though he’d broken her heart?
“You really think God has someone else for me?”
Her hands twisted in her lap, the flickering lights and shadows of the parking garage strobing their movements. Jarrett pulled into a parking place and turned off the engine.
