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“Of course. I wasn’t trying to imply otherwise.”
“Weren’t you?”
I shook my head. “Of course not. I just wanted to be sure you have a good support system in place for you and for him.”
“We live with my friend who’s been a big help, and her parents help out as well. I’m lucky to have them.”
I resisted the urge to move closer to her. “The boy’s father isn’t in the picture?”
“He isn’t in the picture,” Rachel replied evenly. “Ron is five years old, and he’s never met his father.”
I sucked in a harsh breath. “You’ve tried contacting the father?”
“I tried.”
My stomach clenched. “He didn’t want to be a part of Ron’s life?”
“I couldn’t contact him,” Rachel admitted after a brief pause. “I know what you’re trying to do, Bernie. I wish you’d just come out and ask me what you want to know.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about him?”
Rachel ran a hand over her face and exhaled deeply. “At first, it was because I couldn’t reach you. I had to raise Ron as a single mom, and I think I’ve done pretty well for him, all things considered, but I know there are things I can’t provide him with.”
“Like what?”
“Like a father, but Ron has a stable and happy home life. I don’t want to ruin that.”
“Is that why you’ve been reluctant to tell me the truth?”
Rachel’s blue eyes settled on my face, a myriad of emotions dancing across her face. “I didn’t tell you because I don’t know if you want to be a part of his life. You have a good life, Bernie.”
I inched closer to her, leaving a few inches of space between us. “What if I wanted to be a part of his life? Look, I know that things got complicated between us, but I never would’ve missed out onhis life if I had known. I don’t want to be on the outside anymore, Rachel. I want to be a part of Ron’s life.”
Rachel sucked in a harsh breath. “Are you sure about that? This is a lifelong commitment, Bernie. Don’t say that if you don’t know what it means.”
“I know things must have been tough for you as a single mom, but you don’t have to struggle anymore,” I continued before taking both of her hands in mine. “Now that we’ve found each other again, I can help you.”
Rachel’s eyes widened, and her mouth parted. “I don’t want you to do anything you don’t want to do, Bernie.”
I drew Rachel up to her feet and drew her in for a hug.
She smelled like cinnamon and citrus.
It made my stomach dip and my heart miss a beat.
“I want to take care of both of you,” I said into her hair. “I hope you’ll let me.”
Rachel held me tighter and didn’t say anything.
Chapter 13: Intimate
Rachel
“I haven’t told, Ron,” I whispered into his ear. “I haven’t figured out how to tell him.”
Bernard stirred and drew back to look at me. “We can tell him together when you’re comfortable and when you feel like it’s the right time.”
I paused. “You’re really willing to wait?”
