by Sara Orwig
Emily continued to listen to Natalie talk about how much Tom had helped her. She was so effusive in her praise for Tom, talking about all the things he had done for her and her family, that Emily realized she had pushed Tom away and hadn’t let him take care of her when that was probably what he needed to do.
It was what he was doing now, but she had been fighting him on it every step of the way, while Natalie accepted his help and was grateful for it.
In the past Emily had robbed him of his need to be her protector, a need she decided after listening to Natalie that was as essential to his life force as breathing. He had tried in the days after they lost Ryan, but she had wrapped herself in a shell and withdrawn from him. She hadn’t relied on him then and she wouldn’t have now, but he’d simply taken charge because of worrying about what Maverick might be intending to do.
She thought about Tom telling her that he had lost Ryan, but he wasn’t going to lose her to a troll.
She watched him with the kids and wondered if part of the reason they were getting along so much better now was because he felt he was helping her and doing things for her. If so, she had made really big mistakes by shutting him out of parts of her life after Ryan’s death.
“I know you and Tom have been estranged in the past,” Natalie said quietly. “I don’t want to intrude, but it looks as if you might be getting back together. I just want to say you have a wonderful husband who has been so good to us and a marvelous substitute for Jeremy with the kids.”
“Tom loves kids. He’s got six nieces and nephews, but this past year we haven’t seen them often, because all three of his brothers have moved farther away.”
“Jeremy picked well when he got Tom for a friend. But Tom’s gone through a lot at home and abroad. Jeremy told me about some of what they did and it was rough. Tom’s a tough guy, but losing his son has really been hard on him. Just as I know it’s hard on you. That’s something we all share. But enough about our lives.”
As Emily started to unpack the things they’d carried from the car, her thoughts were on all Natalie had said.
The more Emily thought about it, the more she realized that pushing Tom away after Ryan’s death, doing things herself and shutting him out had been disastrous. But now she was accepting his help, and they both seemed to be thriving. He was getting the house in shape far faster than she would have been able to do. And since Tom appeared, she hadn’t had any more messages from Maverick.
At least this part was good. She was happy to meet Natalie and the kids, who’d made her realize that it would have helped Tom heal more after they lost Ryan if she hadn’t shut him out. He needed her to rely on him, to need him—which was something he had found with the Valentines.
Emily wondered if it was too late for her. Was having Tom working on Uncle Woody’s house and staying with her for protection enough to meet the need he had to be a provider in her life and in the marriage?
Natalie watched as the kids played with the beach balls. Tom patiently helped Lexie, who was too little to keep up with her brother or do much of anything with her beach ball except toss it around and let Tom bring it back and roll it to her.
As soon as Emily and Natalie were done unpacking everything, the kids started dancing around Tom, asking him to create bubbles for them to pop.
“They’ll keep him busy,” Natalie said, turning to look at Emily. “Tom told me about the hateful email you got. It’s terrible, but I’m so glad you two got it straightened out between you.” She gave a faint smile and shook her head. “Tom’s secret family. He is so good to us. I would have been sick if I thought all he’s done for us would cause you both pain. Tom is a wonderful person.”
“Yes, he is, and he thought your husband was. He told me about Jeremy, but that was a while ago. When I saw that picture, I didn’t put it together and think about your husband. I just accepted the email as truth.”
“I hope they catch this person before someone else gets hurt.”
“I hope so, too. I’m sorry, Natalie, about Jeremy. Tom thought so much of him.”
“Thanks,” Natalie said. “I’m sorry for your loss. Tom is good to always spend time with the kids. Both kids love him. He’s so patient with them and good for Colby.”
“He’s good with kids because he really likes them,” Emily said quietly, hurting as she watched Tom play with Lexie and Colby. “And he’s patient,” she said, thinking again if she could have gotten pregnant, they might not be getting the divorce. Tom had been wonderful with Ryan.
“We’ve both lost so much,” Natalie said quietly. “I hope you and Tom can work things out, because he should have his own family, his own kids.”
“I agree with you about that and I know we have a mutual bond in losing someone we love deeply.” She looked around. “We better start getting food ready, or there will be other kinds of tears shed.”
“Indeed, there will be,” Natalie said, smiling. “Before you and Tom arrived, they were coming to me every five minutes to ask when you’d get here and how soon we’ll eat. Let’s get some of this set up and then we can go join them and play for a short time. If you don’t want to, that’s okay,” Natalie said.
“It’ll be fun. Look at Tom. He has to be having a good time.”
They paused a moment and watched Tom open a bottle, dip a wand inside and then wave it, leaving a stream of big bubbles. Laughing, both kids began to chase and pop bubbles while Tom kept producing more.
Another pang struck Emily as she looked at Tom. Wind tangled his hair. He was agile and strong, playing with the kids and obviously enjoying it. This was a fun few hours, but their lives were not a constant picnic with kids included. Their marriage was over and that was one more thing she had to accept and learn to live with. Tom was handsome, so appealing—she turned from watching him, focusing on the kids and laughing at their antics.
“Your children are wonderful.”
“Thank you,” Natalie answered. “They have their moments, and Colby has special needs and special abilities. They’re good kids and I love them with all my heart.”
Looking at both kids, Emily hurt because she wanted her own. She wanted to run and join the fun and play with them, too, but she didn’t want to leave Natalie and they didn’t need three adults mixing with the bubbles. “Lexie is so cute.”
Natalie laughed. “She thinks so. She would love to have my shoes and makeup. I can’t imagine what I’m in for when she’s a teen.”
Emily smiled. Tom glanced their way and said something to Colby and Lexie. He turned to walk toward Emily and Natalie.
“Hey, when do we get to eat around here?”
“We can any time you want to fire up that grill and do burgers,” Natalie said.
“I’ll tell Colby and Lexie and go to work at the grill.”
“I’ll tell them,” Natalie said. “You get the food. Emily and I can play with them while you cook. I think we have everything else out and ready.”
“Good deal,” he answered.
Emily spread a blanket and gave each child a new box of crayons and tablets of plain paper so they could draw.
Natalie joined her and after a few minutes, Emily left to help Tom with the cooking and getting last-minute things on the table.
When they all sat down to eat, she felt as if she were part of the family. Natalie was easy to get to know and Emily already loved the kids. Colby was quiet, sometimes a little withdrawn, but he liked all the toys and gadgets Tom had brought. She took pictures of them and of everybody.
They had homemade strawberry ice cream for dessert along with chocolate chip cookies Natalie had made. As they sat in the shade and ate ice cream and cookies, Miss Molly stretched out at Tom’s feet. Tom ran the toe of his boot back and forth behind her ear and she looked serenely happy.
When they put things away after the picnic, Lexie ran up
to grab Tom’s hand and tug. Colby stood back, holding one of the beach balls. “Back to work,” Tom said, getting up to join the kids again. “Don’t carry anything to the cars. I can do that later.”
“I’ll go with you,” Emily said, smiling at Natalie. “Take a break and sit in the shade. We’ll play with Lexie and Colby. It’ll be fun.”
Natalie smiled. “Thanks. Stop whenever you’ve had enough.”
Tom and Colby moved yards apart while Emily stood near Lexie, who was too little to play but wanted to participate. The adults tossed the beach ball first to one child and then the other. Lexie couldn’t catch it, but she chased it to bat it and Emily helped.
By late afternoon, Lexie was sitting on a blanket alternately playing with a doll and drawing while Colby played with the electronic game that Tom had brought. The three adults sat in the shade and talked.
Emily enjoyed being with all of the Valentines. Lexie brought over her drawing and scrambled up onto her lap. Emily held her, admiring her drawing and talking to her about making another picture. The minute she climbed on her lap, Emily thought of Ryan. She looked down at Lexie’s red hair, thinking she was an adorable child. She took the crayons to draw. As she drew, Lexie listened attentively while Emily made up first one story and then another to go with the pictures. When she finished, she asked Lexie to draw a story and watched and listened as the little girl spoke of a mouse and an elephant and drew unrecognizable creatures. But she was happy with her story and her drawings.
“Emily, you don’t have to do that the rest of the evening,” Natalie said, smiling. “I think you’ve served your time.”
Shaking her head, Emily smiled. “I’m having a good time, too. As long as she wants to. When I want to stop, I will.”
Lexie tugged on her hand. “Let’s do another one,” she said.
“Do you want to tell another story?” Emily asked, looking at Lexie and thinking how wonderful it was to have a little child in her lap again.
Lexie’s eyes sparkled as she nodded. “I have a story about a kitty and a butterfly.”
Emily listened, smiling and smoothing Lexie’s hair, thinking Natalie had a wonderful family. She glanced up to see Tom watching her. Their gazes met and she wondered what he was thinking.
The sun was below the treetops in the west when Natalie announced they needed to pack things up and get home. She called to Miss Molly, and the big dog loped to her side.
“We’ll follow you home and I can help carry things inside,” Tom said.
“You don’t need to do that,” she said, smiling at him. “Emily told me how you’re helping her get her house painted. I know how big a job that can be. Besides, I have four couples at the bed-and-breakfast, just getting away from city life for a weekend. The guys carried the things out for me this morning and have already told me they would carry the stuff in when I get back. Their reward will be the strawberry ice cream,” she said, smiling at them.
“Come see me,” Lexie said, taking Emily’s hand. Her tiny hand felt so small, and Emily’s heart lurched when she thought about Ryan holding her hand.
“I’d love to see your room and Colby’s, too,” Emily said, and Lexie’s smile broadened.
“We’ll be happy to have you come visit,” Natalie said.
They let Miss Molly jump into the back of the SUV and then the kids climbed in and buckled into their car seats, with Natalie checking on Lexie’s. Natalie got into the front and Tom closed her door.
Tom draped his arm across Emily’s shoulders as they walked to the pickup. She wondered if he even gave any thought to what he was doing, but she was aware of it. The minute he put his arm across her shoulders, she was reminded of old times with him. And then she became aware of how close they were. All day he had looked virile, filled with energy, strong and incredibly appealing to her. How much would it tear her up to go back to the house and sleep with him? The thought of making love tonight made her draw a deep breath; she just couldn’t suppress her eagerness.
Tom held the pickup door open and she climbed inside. He got in and waited while Natalie backed out and turned to drive away. Then he followed.
“They look like the all-American family, Tom. Especially with the dog hanging out the window,” Emily said.
“Except the all-American dad was shot dead on foreign soil, defending his country so we can go on picnics. He’s not in that car with his wife and kids and dog.”
Emily wanted to reach for Tom’s hand, just to hold it. At one time in her life that’s what she would have done, but not now. Now they were going their separate ways soon and reaching for him would be almost like reaching to hold a stranger’s hand. “You knew that when you joined the service,” she said.
“I know I did, but sometimes when I’m with Natalie and the kids, it gets to me, because Jeremy should be with them instead of me.”
“You’ve really kept your promise to Jeremy. She’s so grateful for all you’ve done for them.”
“I’m trying,” he said. “When I think of the sacrifice he made, there’s never enough I can do.”
“You’re a good guy,” Emily said, and meant it. Tears threatened because she had lost Tom and there were moments it hurt badly. After a few minutes, she pulled herself together. “Natalie appreciates everything you’ve done and it’s obvious the kids love you. You should have your own kids,” she said quietly. He shot her a quick, startled glance but said nothing.
She felt another wave of sadness that she couldn’t give Tom another little boy. If only she had been able to get pregnant, they might have had a chance to save their marriage. But that wasn’t what had happened.
“They are cute kids. Lexie knows she is,” Tom said, smiling. “That little girl can steal the show when she wants to. I’m glad you and Natalie met. I should have done that long ago, but you and I have been out of each other’s lives for a long time now.”
“I’m glad to meet her. I understand her loss and she understands mine—actually, ours.”
“Yes. She’s done well, but she has moments. She keeps a good front for the kids’ sakes, so that helps in a way.”
Emily thought about how all three of them—she, Natalie and Tom—had been targets of Maverick in a way. But Maverick’s hateful lies had backfired, bringing them closer together instead of driving them all apart.
When they got back to her house, she was astonished again by the difference only a week had made. The new coat of paint was beginning to transform the house into the home she remembered and loved and always thought was so beautiful. Tom had started working on the yard because the days were getting warmer. He’d made two beds ready for spring planting. Filled with energy, Tom got things done, but she always had been impressed by his strength and vigor.
“It’s just been a week and you’ve made a giant difference. It doesn’t look like the same house.”
“I’m glad you noticed, and you sound happy with it.”
“I am happy with it. It’s done and it looks nice and thank you.”
“Good. It’s a hell of a lot safer and more secure, too,” Tom said. He parked at the side of the house, leaving the pickup so it could be seen from the street.
“You’re not getting out of the pickup,” she said, looking at him sitting still, staring straight ahead.
“No, I’m looking at the garage.”
“Oh, heavens, what now, Tom? There must be something I need to fix.”
“There sure as hell is. Emily, that garage is as old as this house. That big mulberry tree with giant roots is pushing the garage over and the driveway up.”
“You want me to get rid of the garage?”
“Yes. You need to get estimates—I’ll do it—on a new driveway and a new garage and come into this century. Or even come into the last half of the last century. That thing is simply going to collapse someday soon and you
don’t want to be in it when it does.”
She looked at the old garage and the cracked slabs of concrete driveway that had been pushed several inches into the air.
“Do you remember when your uncle Woody stopped using it?” Tom asked.
“I was probably about twelve. Okay. You’re right about the garage.”
Tom smiled. “So I’m finally right about something concerning this house.”
“You’re right about everything concerning this house. Tom, it is definitely better. It would have taken me months to get done what you’ve done. I’m grateful for your help,” she said.
“I’ll get your estimates on a driveway and the cost for a new garage. This will be a garage today’s car will fit into,” he said, grinning and shaking his head. “That thing was built for a Model T.”
Together they carried the picnic things into the house. “It’s a pretty Saturday night,” he remarked. “After we get through putting the stuff away, let’s sit on the porch, have a drink and enjoy the evening.”
“Sure,” she said, knowing if they did that many more times, she would miss having him here when he returned to the ranch. “But I need a shower first—I’ve been outside all day, in the grass, petting the dog—”
“Right. I know one thing that would make taking a shower better—”
“It’s not going to happen tonight.”
He grinned. “I have to keep trying. I can really be fun to take a shower with, or maybe you remember. I remember you’re lots of fun to shower with. It would make this a superspecial Saturday.”
“Will you stop?” she said, laughing and shaking her head. “No, we don’t shower together. What would you like to drink? Let me guess—a cold beer.”