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“She had a lot,” she replied drolly.
I took a seat at the table where she’d set out two sandwiches on paper plates and a bag of chips along with two cans of sparkling water.
As we ate, we were mostly quiet, peeking at one another once in a while around small talk of the food and what I’d been doing at work. When we were done, I found Davina staring at Devon.
“I didn’t realize I would miss him as much as I do.”
I chuckled softly. “Yeah, I get it. I didn’t think I would miss him being at work, but I do. I come home every night and sit there staring at him.”
“He’s a special little boy to have you as a father.”
“Why do you say that?”
She glanced at me and then looked away quickly. “I mean, he’s lucky that you care about him. A lot of men wouldn’t have wanted to take on the responsibility.”
“Yeah, I guess.” We grew quiet, and I was tempted to reach over the table and touch her but held back. “So, should we get started?”
She winced, and I glanced at my watch. “I can only stay for a little while. I have to drop Devon off and then meet with someone.” Her eyes looked stormy as they turned my way. “I’m looking at houses.”
The storminess in her gaze subsided. Well, wasn’t that an interesting tidbit of information? Did she think I had a date?
“You mean, you’re really going to buy a house?”
“Yep. I can’t imagine living where I am much longer. I’m going nuts with the clutter already.”
She laughed. “Yeah, I did notice that your bedroom was very neat and tidy.”
“My years in the service did that.” I grinned back at her.
“It’s a good trait.” She collected our trash and went to throw it away. Then she stood in the hallway and stared at the bedroom door.
I came up behind her, putting my hands on her shoulders and squeezing softly. “It’s okay.”
“I don’t want to go in there. I’m afraid if I pack all of that, it will be final.”
She leaned back against me, and I wrapped my arms around her waist, holding her tightly to me, inhaling the fresh scent of her hair. “Sadly, it is final, Davina. Carol is gone.”
She put her hands over mine on her stomach. “I know, but I’m not sure I’m ready for her to be gone.”
I twirled her slowly around in my arms, cupping her cheeks. “She will never be gone for good. You will carry her in your heart and mind forever.”
She blinked rapidly as if she were about to cry. “Thank you for saying that.”
I wanted to kiss her, so damn badly, but instead, I pulled her to my chest and brushed my lips over her brow and crazy hair. She clung to me for a moment, then inhaled and released it slowly before she stepped back.
“Okay, I got this.” She turned for the door and got as far as putting her hand on the doorknob.
“Go ahead; you can do it,” I said from behind her, my hands on her hips, my chest against her back.
“I can’t,” she whispered.
“You can.”
She began to shake her head and pushed back against me. “No, I can’t.”
“If you don’t open that door, I’m going to turn you in my arms and kiss you again.”
“That’s not fair!” she hissed.
