“Thanks.” She scrambled onto the chair and sipped her cocoa.
“What’s the word on the car?” Lily asked.
“We’re good to go. I flagged down the kid driving the snowplow. He pulled the car out of the ditch and helped me change the tire. Doesn’t appear to be any other damage. As soon as we eat, we can get on the road. He says the main roads are all salted and cleared.”
“Good. Thanks for breakfast.” She sat at the table next to Chelsea.
“I ran into our neighbors on my way out.”
Heat rushed into her face. “Oh, really?”
“Yeah. Turns out they’re newlyweds. They were on their way to the airport to leave for their honeymoon but got snowed in here.”
“I see.”
“He’s all of about twenty, and she looks to be even younger. No wonder they have such stamina.”
Lily shot him a warning look, nodding toward Chelsea.
Chelsea looked up and grinned. “Did you ask them who won the game?”
It was his turn to flush. “No. I didn’t think to. How’s your cereal?”
“Good. I think the lady won, ’cause she yelled the loudest.”
Lily choked. Rick stifled a laugh.
*
The sun broke through the clouds, melting the snow that remained on the sidewalks. Chelsea ran ahead of them into the house, calling for Pepper. Rick carried the bag of food while Lily gathered up Chelsea’s things. “The food should be fine. It was in subfreezing temperatures all night.”
“You’re welcome to stay and I’ll warm up the leftovers for lunch. I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”
His face brightened. “Great. Thanks.”
Lily heated the turkey, stuffing and sweet potatoes, aware of his gaze following her as she moved around the kitchen. Prickles rolled up her spine.
After they’d eaten, he helped rinse the dishes and load the dishwasher. “I should be going. I guess an invitation to join me for Christmas is out of the question.”
Lily laughed. “It wasn’t so bad. You have a nice family, and I enjoyed being with a family for Thanksgiving.”
Chelsea propped the cat over her shoulder and smiled up at Rick. “I’m gonna play with my dollhouse now.”
“Okay, Shortstop. I’ll see you later.” He ruffled her hair as she walked by, then faced Lily. “So, what’ll we do to dispel those rumors at the office?”
“What rumors?”
“That you slept with the boss.” His eyes twinkled as he grinned at her.
She slapped his arm. “In separate beds, fully clothed, and with a child present. Don’t forget those details. Okay, it sounds a little weird with a child present. You may want to leave that out.” He started for the door, and she gave him a shove. “You were right. I think it is time for you to go.”
Laughing, he turned to her. “What are your plans for the rest of the weekend?”
“No plans. I have some work to do.”
“How about a movie on Sunday afternoon?”
“We’ll see. I have transcribing I need to finish. I’ll talk with you tomorrow after I see how much work I accomplish.”
“Okay. Type fast.” He hesitated, as if contemplating a kiss.
She stood, unmoving. Her lips were dry, but she didn’t dare moisten them and give him the wrong idea. Or was it the right idea? She honestly didn’t know.
“So, call me.” He got into the car and backed from the driveway.
An unfamiliar feeling nagged at her. She’d enjoyed being with Rick. But that wasn’t it. It was how natural it had felt, being with his family, even being stuck in the motel overnight, just the three of them. The feeling? A longing to have a family of her own—nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, babies. A husband. Rick’s confirmation of his commitment to an unattached lifestyle rang in her head. He wasn’t a man who would have staying power in the long run.
Turning from the window, she busied herself at the computer. She’d call Rick tomorrow and tell him she had too much work to do, couldn’t go out on Sunday.
*
On Monday, Lily dropped Chelsea at school and drove to the office. At nine-fifteen, Rick looked up as she made her tenth trip from her desk to his. “Lily, you’re wearing a path in the carpet. Everything’s going to be fine.”
“I’m a wreck about facing the Dixons. And Helen still has the flu so she can’t be there. They have money, a huge house. They can give Chelsea so much that I can’t.”
“What they don’t have is the past five years and Chelsea’s adoration.” He closed the file on his desk and stood. “Come on. I’m going with you. Let’s walk to the legal aid office. Work off some of that nervous energy.”
“The appointment’s not until ten thirty. And it’s freezing out there.”
“Well, you’re not able to concentrate, and neither can I. Bundle up. We’ll pick up coffee on the way.”
She grabbed her purse and coat and walked to the door he held open. “I’ll pass on the coffee. The last thing I need is more caffeine.”
Light snow blanketed the sidewalk and glistened on tree branches. Her breath clouded in the air. Mid-way down the block, he reached for her hand and squeezed. “We’re just going there to hear what they have in mind.”
She pressed her palm into his, enjoying the warmth that radiated through her gloves. She like the sound of we. “I feel like I’m going to be judged. Tyler’s mother will no doubt blame me for getting pregnant in the first place. I’m sure she thinks I was just trying to snare her son. I was ‘that poor Champion girl’ who had no mother, a drunken father, and a delinquent brother. I was trash to people like the Dixons.”
His fingers tightened their hold. “But that wasn’t true. Yes, you lost your mother at an early age. You should have received compassion for that, not judgment. You were a child, not responsible for your father. And, the last time I checked, it takes two to make a baby. Lily, you’re…”
He stopped and turned her to face him. “You’re a great mom. You’ve made sacrifices for Chelsea. Hell, you barely have a life outside of work and caring for her.”
“She is my life. She deserves everything I can give her.”
He nodded. “What about you, though? What do you deserve?”
“I’m a parent. What I want isn’t the first thing in the equation. That’s the nature of parenthood.”
“I guess that’s why parenthood was designed for two people.”
“Well, I didn’t have that option.”
He gazed into her face. “What if you had that option now?”
She laughed. “But I don’t. Maybe someday, but not right now.”
He reached for her other hand. “I’ve been thinking. Maybe I’m not cut out for the bachelor lifestyle. Maybe I was just scared or bullshitting myself.”
“You? Scared?”
“I get scared. Look, it’s freezing out here. We have time. Let’s get a cup of tea and talk for a minute. You can have decaf.” He directed her to the tea room across the street.
A small fire burned in the center fireplace. Few customers occupied tables. Rick pointed to a secluded table in the corner. He helped her off with her coat and hung it on a hook along the wall. He sat across from her, his hands folded atop the table, as if prepared for a business meeting. “As I was saying, we all get scared sometimes. You haven’t cornered the market on fear.”
A waitress appeared and took their orders. When she walked away, he continued. “I love my house, but lately the emptiness is unbearable. I’ve started hallucinating, too.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Hallucinating? Have you checked for a gas leak? That happened to a neighbor of ours in Lakewood.”
He shook his head. “That’s not the problem. I’m seeing and hearing things, even smelling things.” He leaned back in the chair. “The other day, I imagined I saw a child run down the stairs when I walked through the door. And someone was cooking something scrumptious in my kitchen. Then I looked into the living room, and a baby crawled toward m
e.”
“Are you having a midlife crisis? Most guys just buy a red sports car.”
“Midlife crisis? I’m not that old.”
The waitress set two cups of tea before them, along with a plate of biscotti. “Will there be anything else?”
Rick looked up at her. “Not right now, thanks.” He turned his gaze back to Lily. “Want to hear the really crazy part?”
“That wasn’t it?”
“Nope. The kid running down the stairs was Chelsea. And when I followed the aroma to the kitchen, you were there. And the baby had my chin.” He reached across the table for her hand. “But he had your eyes.”
She gulped. “He… Huh?” Words escaped her.
“I’ve tried to fight this, Lily. That’s why I canceled on your dinner invitation.”
“Rick, doesn’t that tell you something—the fact that you’re trying to fight it? I don’t want to be with someone who would rather fight against his feelings.”
He nodded and continued. “But, see, the truth is, I’ve stopped fighting. The truth is, I think I’m in love with you.”
“You are?” Her heart pounded against her chest.
“Yes, but there is someone else.”
“Oh.” Her heart sank.
“Yeah, a short, sassy little blonde. She’s missing a few teeth right now, but I’m hopeful they’ll grow back.”
“Huh? Oh.” Realization struck her. “Well, I don’t see much hope for us. I really don’t think I can compete with her.” The thumping of her heart drowned out the voice in her head that began to insist this was crazy.
He traced his thumb over the inside of her wrist, sending a shockwave up her arm. “There’s no competition. I know we haven’t dated, per se, but I think there’s a connection here. The question is, do you?”
“I…uh…” Come on, Lily. It’s truth time. “Okay. Remember that night I went out with Beau, and you stayed with Chelsea?”
“Oh, yeah. My makeover event.”
“Truth is, the whole evening, I kept thinking about how nice it would be to be at home with the two of you.”
His smile stretched wider. “Really?”
She closed her fingers around his hand. “I thought we’d talk once everything settled. But I guess that’s never going to happen.” She paused. “Rick, relationships take time and work.” She glanced at her watch. “Speaking of time, I think we need to get to Suzanne’s office.”
He held her wrist. “Wait. Before we go in there, I want to say one thing. And I think it’ll make a difference in how the meeting turns out.”
“What’s that?”
“What if we went in there as a couple? Told them we plan to get married and that I want to adopt Chelsea.”
“What would happen when there’s no wedding?”
“Oh, well, I’ve already thought of that. You’d just have to marry me.”
There it was—that damned dimple and the twinkle in his eyes. She sucked in a quick breath. “Rick, are you asking…?”
“I’m asking you to marry me. Or at least consider the idea while you get to know me better.”
“You don’t have to do this.”
“I’m not being a hero here.” His face sobered. “Lily, since I’ve met you and Chelsea, my house seems empty. My life is, too, except for the times I’m with the two of you. I love you.” He leaned across the table and kissed her. A sweet, soft kiss filled with promise.
Her heart ping-ponged. “You hardly know me.”
“Not exactly the response I was going for.”
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting this.”
His face deflated. “No, I’m sorry. I’ve put you in an awkward position. And this isn’t the time.”
Listening to the drumbeat message in her heart, Lily said, “I love you, too.”
“You don’t have to say that. I’ll get over my disappointment.”
“I’m not saying it to make you feel better.” Her vision blurred. “I’ve tried to put my feelings aside, because I thought it was just me. I didn’t know you felt the same way.” She shook her head. This is insane.
“So, we share the same feelings about one another, but the timing’s bad?”
She nodded.
He stroked her cheek with his thumb, wiping away a tear. “Okay. We have time. Let’s go and see what the Dixons want, and let them know we have Chelsea’s interest at heart and won’t let anyone jeopardize that.” He pulled her to her feet and kissed her again.
Lily walked in a daze, her hand clutching his. Had he actually just proposed to her?
She grabbed his arm. “Wait, there is one thing we have to get straight.”
“What’s that?”
“Your dealings with foreclosed homes.”
“Lily, the banks and mortgage companies are the villains there, not me.”
“But those poor people…Rick, I am those people. I live a breath away from losing everything. I know how that feels. There has to be a better way.”
He shoved his hands into his pockets and stared at his shoes. “Can you trust me when I tell you I’m working on a project to help some of those folks?”
“You are? Tell me.”
“I can’t say anything about it yet. It’s not a done deal. Just trust me, okay. I’ve heard what you’ve said, and I’m trying to make it right.” He tugged her collar up around her chin. “Is this what married life with you is going to be like? Having a conscience who is not only smart, but so damn beautiful?”
“Rick, I’m serious. And I’m not getting the feeling you take me seriously. Or that you take much of anything seriously.”
“What?”
“Think about it. We’ve known one another for six months, and you’ve gone from confirmed bachelor to proposing marriage. Do you even know my favorite color? What I dreamed of doing when I was growing up?”
“Not yet.”
“See? I appreciate you wanting to go with me today. I need the support. And I do value your friendship. But marriage?”
“Lily, I explained that. I was kidding myself all these years, seeing myself as a swinging bachelor forever.”
“And now you feel lonely at times, and you figure Chelsea and I can fill in the hole. What happens when marriage and family become a burden or you get bored? What then?”
He stared at her. “I don’t know what to say. I’ve been as sincere as I can be. You and Chelsea have shown me what life could be, how happy I can be. Getting stuck on Thanksgiving—it felt like we were a family. Sort of.”
Lily bit her lip. “You’re a great guy, Rick. Under other circumstances…”
“I got it. I guess we’d better get to your attorney’s office.” He turned and started walking.
“Wait.”
He stopped.
“I feel awful. I’ve hurt you, and I truly didn’t intend to do that. Look, can we revisit this conversation after everything else settles? Which I realize could be my next lifetime.”
He nodded. “I’ve put pressure on you. Pressure you don’t need right now. Just know that I’m in this with you.” He took her hand as they crossed the street. “Let’s go and kick Tyler Dixon’s butt.”
*
Tyler and his parents occupied the chairs along the side of the reception area. They seemed to fill the space. Her eyes met Mrs. Dixon’s, and Lily lowered her head. Rick squeezed her hand. She lifted her chin and nodded to them. “Tyler. Mr. and Mrs. Dixon.”
Tyler stood. “Where is she?”
“Chelsea? She’s in school, where she belongs.”
Suzanne Waters appeared and welcomed them. “Let’s go back to the conference room. Feel free to bring a cup of coffee with you.” She led the entourage down the hallway.
Tyler sat between his parents, looking like a teenager called before the principal. Lily sat up straight, drawing strength from Rick’s presence beside her.
Suzanne stood at the head of the table. “Before we begin, I want to clarify the purpose of this meeting. This is to provide the Dixons w
ith an opportunity to state what involvement they would hope to have in Ms. Champion’s daughter’s life. I want to clarify, first of all, that Tyler Dixon has claimed the child as being his daughter and paternity is not in dispute. I also want you to know that I represent Ms. Champion in her petition to have Tyler Dixon’s parental rights terminated and to seek sole custody of the child.”
Mrs. Dixon sat up straight, hands folded in her lap. Dressed in a navy blue wool suit, she wore her blonde hair pulled back in a French twist. Everything about her looked as though it had been tucked up or pinned into place. She leaned forward, looking at the attorney. “But Tyler’s never had a chance to be a parent to his daughter. She was kept from him all these years.”
Lily’s mouth dropped open.
Suzanne raised a hand to signal her to remain silent. “Mrs. Dixon, are you aware that your son took Ms. Champion to an abortion clinic? That he stated that, if she didn’t have an abortion, he would deny the child as being his?”
“Oh, come on. He was a scared boy.” The woman glanced sideways at her son. “If he’d come to us in the first place….”
Tyler seemed to sink in the chair, looking even more immature. Mr. Dixon sat, stone-faced, staring at his hands that rested on the table. He reached up to loosen his necktie. Lily watched his Adam’s apple bob when he swallowed. It was apparent to Lily that Mrs. Dixon was the boss in that family.
Suzanne’s voice remained calm and firm. “Mrs. Dixon. I’m just clarifying the past and present circumstances. Why don’t you tell us what it is you hope to have happen?”
The woman looked from Suzanne to Lily. “All we want is to see our granddaughter.” Her voice shook. “If we’d known back then, things could have been different.”
Lily straightened and pulled her shoulders back. “You never approved of Tyler dating me, never thought I was good enough for your son. Why now?”
“I’m sorry you felt that. We didn’t really know you. You rarely came to the house.”
“You didn’t want me there. At least, that’s what Tyler said.” She shifted her gaze to Tyler.
Mrs. Dixon’s mouth fell open and she glared at her son. “Why would you have told her that? I always asked you about your friends, asked you to bring Lily by so we could get to know her. You told me she wouldn’t come to our house.”
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