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Everyone could use a helping hand sometimes. I’ve got some pretty strong shoulders for her to lean on.
And if the thought of her leaning on me makes me smile…there’s nothing wrong with that, right?
CHAPTER3
Jessica
The days rush by until it’s only a week until Christmas. The kids are settling in finally.
“Hey, Aunt Jess? Can we bake cookies today?” Miracle asks. I cringe inside. I’m not the greatest baker but if my kids want to do this, I guess I’ll have to suck it up and try.
“Of course. I think I have everything to make cookies.” I putter around in my new kitchen. Considering my previous place…I’m in heaven. There is so much more space to spread out now and the kids both have their own rooms. I can’t afford massive changes but what I can do is make it feel more homey to them. I’m an expert at that.
Miracle’s room is a symphony of fairytale pink princess fluff and toddler mess. Gavin’s room is a baseball lover’s delight. It turns out that he played little league and from what the attorney said, he’s quite good. So sometime next spring we’re going to check out the local team and see about getting him playing again.
There’s a knock at the door and thundering feet shaking the apartment floors. Immediately the old lady under us begins banging on her ceiling.
“Guys, come on!” I holler.
“Aunt Jess? That man is at the door,” both little voices carol at me.
“Oh…dang it! Why are you answering the door by yourselves? I told you before…stranger danger.” I huff and stomp out of the kitchen ready to blast them for their poor listening skills, stopping dead in my tracks, my mouth falling open when I see who’s standing there.
“Richard?” I know his name now. I know all about the gorgeous fire chief with a heart of gold and a soft spot for lost causes. He’ll rescue a kitten from a tree and then take it home with him until he finds its owner. Get a food drive up for a soup kitchen in town. Even rock babies in the hospital. Whatever needs doing, he’ll do it.
I haven’t seen him since that first night at the grocery store. Not that I haven’t thought about the gigantic, quiet man who makes me feel safe with just one look out of his calm brown eyes.
Eyes which are currently staring past the children and locked on me where I stand, my mouth gaping like a trout on a line.
I bustle forward. “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t expecting company.” I flush as I frantically pick up toys off the floor, attempting to straighten up as well as I can.
His dark head shakes and he smiles gently, just a curl of his lips that makes my stomach flip. “It’s okay. I’ve seen what kids can do to a place much bigger than this one. Don’t worry about it.”
My hands hang in front of me, practically strangling a fluffy little pink bird. “Wh-what are you doing here?”
“I was actually thinking quite a bit about you guys lately…I mean about Miracle and wondering how she’s doing.”
For just a brief moment it feels like my heart soars and then it crashes to the ground in a graceless heap. Of course he’s just concerned about Miracle. This little visit has nothing to do with me at all. He probably doesn’t even remember my name. Just thinks of me as the crazy lady scrabbling around on a dirty floor for all the bits and pieces I had shoved into my purse.
“As you can see, she’s fine. The kids are settling in nicely now and we haven’t had a repeat of that attack.” It feels like my tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth. I’m babbling like a mindless idiot and I slam my lips shut on even more drivel.
He kneels his big body down on the ground and smiles gently at Miracle. “Is that true, little one? Have you been settling in and getting to know your aunt?”
She nods her head briskly, her short blond curls flying around her head like they’re electrified. “Yes, sir. I’ve even got a room of my own now. Aunt Jess helped me decorate it really nice. Do you want to see it?” she asks guilelessly, her wide blue eyes fluttering lightly as she smiles a toothy smile with a gap here and there from missing baby teeth.
“I would love to see it if it’s alright with your aunt?” He lifts his head and focuses that warm brown gaze on me and it’s like I’m drowning in melted chocolate flecked with gold.
“Of course you can. Let me get the door.” I hasten over to him just as he stands to tower over me.
“It’s alright. I’ve got it.” For just one quick second our hands touch on the door and the bolt of electricity that tingles under my skin has me gasping and stepping back quickly.
“I-I’m sorry. I…”. But I can’t finish the sentence. My head is reeling at his closeness and the subtle smell of him. Like a woodland forest, pine and spice.
Backpedaling, I wring my hands and smile nervously. “Well…ummm, let’s go see her room.”
Miracle grabs one of his big hands in her own and the way that hand swallows up her tiny one makes my throat tight. His eyes lift to mine and there’s a quick flash of something in his gaze, something that feels too scary to think about right now.
Then Gavin defuses the uncomfortable feeling when he grabs Richard’s other hand to drag him too. “We can see my room too! It’s got all kinds of baseball stuff. I love baseball. Do you?”
