“Thank you,” they said in unison.
As upset as she was about what her sister’s ex had done, she wasn’t upset at all about getting to see them. She’d thought she was close to her nephew and niece before the accident, and she was. She saw them at least once a week, sometimes twice. But living with them and being their primary caregiver while her sister recovered had taken things to an entirely different level.
She knew, now more than ever, that she wanted a family of her own. And she also knew that Marco was not going to be the person she had that with. As heartbreaking as that truth was, in a weird way, it took the pressure off. She could enjoy whatever time she got to spend with him over their final week and then go home and move on with her life.
It was cut and dry. A clean break. No expectations.
She bent down and kissed both of their heads before checking the time. It was almost nine. She hadn’t heard anything from Marco about whether or not he’d been able to get in touch with a new home healthcare worker.
As she poured the pancake mix onto the pan, she began making a game plan for the day in case he’d been unable to secure someone. She’d had to care for her sister and the kids for months, so she knew she could handle it. But it was going to be a juggling act.
Her phone buzzed on the counter, and she expected it to be Marco with news on the situation. But it was a text from her sister. Devon wasn’t able to get a flight out, and there were no rental cars available at the two rental companies she’d checked. She said she’d let Sydney know when she found something.
By the time she stacked the final perfect, fluffy flapjack on the plate, Sydney had resigned herself to the very real possibility that she’d be flying solo today with both the kids and Pops. It might not be pretty, but as long as everyone was alive at the end of it, she’d consider it a job well done.
Opening the fridge, she bent down to grab the butter and maple syrup when she heard Pauly cry out, “Marco!”
“Marco’s home!”
She straightened and saw that he was.
Marco was in the doorway of the kitchen, currently being attacked by a five-year-old, a three-year-old, and a dog.
As happy as she was to see him, she was also concerned that something must be wrong for him to be home at this hour. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s great.” He smiled at her and grabbed the pancakes off the counter and carried them to the table.
The kids followed after him like ducklings and climbed back into their chairs. And so did she. She fell right behind them as she carried the butter and syrup to the table.
As if they’d rehearsed it, he placed a pancake on each kid’s plate, and Sydney buttered and cut up Isabella’s. It was as if they did this together every morning. Like this was their routine. Taking care of the kids with Marco had her ovaries throwing a party. A baby shower. One that she had to keep canceling.
“What are you doing home?” she asked quietly as they moved back into the kitchen.
“I promised backup by nine a.m. It’s nine on the dot.”
“Oh, are you meeting the nurse here?”
“No. I’m the backup.”
“You don’t have to do that. I’ll be fine with them and Pops. You can’t do that. You have to prep for the—”
“It’s done,” he said as he smiled down at her. “Everything is ready for the assessments. The only thing that I’m missing today is a meeting with the city council about a movie that Kyle is filming in Hope Falls. He’s going to be shadowing the hotshot crew so Evan wanted me to sit in but he can handle it without me.”
“Is he going to film in Hope Falls?”
“Yeah. I think he’s directing and starring in it.”
“Marco, come sit by me!” Isabella chirped.
“I’ll be right there,” he responded, before he leaned in so close that his lips brushed against the edges of Sydney’s ear. “Are the kids allergic to or scared of horses?”
The heat of Marco’s breath and the graze of his mouth caused her to answer in a breathless, “No.”
When he straightened back up, the smile he wore was from ear to ear.
“Why?”
“It’s a surprise.” He placed a quick kiss on her forehead and joined the kids for breakfast. They both grilled him on where he’d been and what he’d been doing. He answered each of their questions with patience and humor while he filled his own plate.
Sydney rinsed the pan she’d used to cook and then took a seat. Marco set the plate he’d filled down in front of her and passed her the syrup and butter.
“Thank you,” she said as she reminded herself not to get used to this.
Soon she would return to her regularly scheduled programming. This was not real life, no matter how bad she wished it was.
*
Marco leaned back against the couch cushions as he ran his fingers through Sydney’s hair. She was resting her head on his lap while they watched a movie. He was exhausted but happier than he could remember being, maybe ever. Today hadn’t been what he’d expected.
After finding out that Devon was unable to secure a rental car, her friends had offered to drive her to Hope Falls after they fulfilled their obligations for the retreat. The women were going to make a road trip out of it and would be here in the morning.
As soon as Marco heard that they had the entire day, he knew he wanted to show the kids, Sydney, and Pops all that Hope Falls had to offer. So, they’d started with a pony ride (for the kids, anyway) at Mountain Ridge Outdoor Adventures. They’d gone for lunch at Sue Ann’s, and then they stopped by the station so Pauly could see the firetruck. They’d finished off with ice cream at Two Scoops and a round of mini-golf.
Pops was loving his new motorized scooter. It gave him more support, mobility, and independence. He zoomed around and even napped in it. And the kids took turns riding on it when they got tired of walking.
In his wildest dreams, he would never have guessed how much energy kids could have. They were like the Energizer bunny. They kept going and going and going. He wished he had half the energy that they did. Isabella did crash for a little bit. She made it to the second hole in mini golf before asking if Marco would carry her. He ended up playing with one arm while she napped on his shoulder. But as soon as she woke up, she was full-steam ahead.
Marco considered himself to be in decent shape, but muscles he’d never known he had were sore. His neck, back, even his calves were all tender. He would never have imagined there was so much bending and lifting in childcare.
After putting the kids to bed, he and Sydney had decided to watch a movie. Her head was resting in his lap, and he was running his fingers through her hair while George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon all plotted their heist in Ocean’s Eleven. It was the perfect end to the perfect day.
Beside him, his phone buzzed, and he grabbed it. It was a text from his mom. She’d been sending him daily updates and pictures from all of the places that she’d visited. He’d skimmed most of them, but one thing he noticed in every single shot was how happy she was. He’d always considered his mom a happy person, but since Leonard had come into her life, she radiated. He would forever be grateful to Leonard for bringing so much joy into her life.
He scrolled through the newest batch of photos from Paris and was just about to send her his usual reply but reconsidered when he remembered the pictures that they’d taken today. He figured she’d like to see Pops mini golfing in his new chair. He tapped on his photos, and started to scroll through them. He noticed a pic of Sydney helping Isabella onto the pony. There were quite a few at the stables. And even more at the fire station and the ice cream shop.
He saw one that Pops had taken of the kids giving Marco and Sydney bunny ears and he cracked up. Isabella must not have understood which fingers to use because she was flipping the bird. “Did you see this picture?”
He held the phone down in front of her, and when she didn’t respond, he leaned forward and saw that she was sound asleep. S
o sound asleep that there was even a little drool on the corner of her lips. She looked so adorable and peaceful. Not able to resist, he snapped a picture before setting it back on the end table.
Lifting the remote, he flicked off the television. Then, as gently as possible, he scooted out from beneath her. When he was on his feet, he stared down at Sydney and was hit with a wave of panic. Next week at this time, she’d be gone. But so would he. He’d be on the field exercise. And that was the point.
It would be selfish and unfair to ask Sydney to commit to him, to a relationship, when he wouldn’t be around.
What kind of an asshole would ask that of someone?
And Sydney wasn’t just someone. She was his best friend, and she’d gone through so much already. He appreciated all she did even more now that he’d experienced just a small amount of her responsibilities. She deserved a man that would be there for her and support her. She deserved a man that could offer her the world and more.
He bent his knees and slid his arms beneath her and cradled her against him as he straightened. Her arms wrapped around him and she shifted so that her face was nestled against his shoulder.
Glancing down, he checked to see if she was awake but found her eyes were still closed. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead and carried her up to his room and laid her down next to Isabella. He grabbed the throw blanket at the end of the bed and covered her up.
Leaning down, he gave her one more kiss on the forehead and whispered, “I love you.”
He might not be able to say those words while she was conscious but it felt good to say them out loud. Even if she didn’t hear them.
Chapter 20
‡
Sydney put the kid’s luggage in the back of the SUV as Devon buckled them into their boosters.
“Mommy will be right back. I need to talk to Auntie. You guys stay with Miss Sheree and Miss Janice. Watch your movie.” Devon pointed to the small screens on the back of the driver and passenger seats that were playing Toy Story.
“Bye, kidlets!” Sydney rounded the truck and dipped inside. First kissing Isabella on her chubby cheek and then Pauly, who was still wearing the plastic helmet he’d gotten when they’d visited the firehouse yesterday. “Be good, and I’ll see you in five sleeps. I love you!”
“I love you!” Isabella returned Sydney’s affection and hugged her neck before shoving a folded-up piece of paper at her. “Give this to Marco.”
She unfolded the paper to find a crayon drawing of a structure, which she immediately recognized as the fire station that was, ironically, on fire. In front of that was a firefighter in full turnout gear, mask and all. There was a bag or something on his shoulder. Then, scattered over the page were a couple of stick figures and a brown and red blob that she couldn’t immediately decipher.
“It’s so pretty,” Sydney enthused, trying to puzzle out what each item was.
Wearing a proud smile, Isabella explained her artwork. First, she pointed to the station. “That’s the fire place.” Her finger then landed on the firefighter and bag. “And that’s Marco and me.”
Aha, the bag he was carrying was her.
“And that’s you and Pauly,” she addressed the two stick figures before moving on to the red and brown shape. “And that’s Pops on his scooter, and that’s Lady.”
“He’s going to love it,” Sydney guaranteed.
“Tell him to put it on the fridge,” her niece instructed.
“I will,” Sydney assured her as she backed out of the SUV. “See you guys soon.”
Her head had barely cleared the roof when her sister grabbed her arm and tugged her up toward the house. Holding up two fingers Devon said, “I have two minutes before the I-needs and he-shes start.”
Sydney grinned.
“So, talk fast. What is going on between you and Marco?”
When Devon and her friends had arrived that morning, Marco had been heading out to work. His interactions with everyone had been brief, just saying hello and then goodbye. That was it. There was no way Devon could know that anything had happened between the two of them, and Sydney wanted to keep it that way.
As much as she loved her sister, Devon could be pushy and opinionated. If she ever found out that there was anything more than just friendship between Marco and Sydney, she’d never let it go. She’d continually bring it up, and that would be the last thing she needed when she returned home.
“We’re friends.”
“Friends?” Her sister’s brows rose in question.
“Yes. Friends.” It was true. They were, so technically she wasn’t lying.
“Just friends?” Devon pointed her finger in accusation at Sydney, then moved it in a circular motion as she asked, “Or are there benefits involved?”
“What are you talking about?”
Devon started counting on her fingers, starting with the pointer that had just been drawing an invisible circle. “I saw how he looked at you. And how you looked back. You smile every time the kids say his name, which is a lot, they can’t stop talking about him.”
It was true, they’d talked nonstop, filling Devon in on all things Marco. Marco taking them to ride the horses. Marco playing mini golf with them. Marco taking them for ice cream. Marco letting them climb on the fire engine. Marco playing Go Fish with them. Marco counting bites with them.
That last one had impressed even Sydney. Getting the kids to finish a meal was always a chore. They got bored halfway through and would say they were full. That would be fine if they weren’t hungry thirty minutes later. Marco figured out their pattern after their first pizza night and so he began having “eating contests” with them. At breakfast yesterday he’d said that he counts how many bites it takes him to finish his meal. He challenged them to a contest: whoever could take the most bites and finish their food won. They took small bites, so their bite count would be higher, and they had both finished everything on their plate. It was pretty genius.
“After you smile, you get a sad, forlorn look in your eyes.” Devon waved her hand in front of Sydney’s face as if to say exhibit A.
“I do not.”
“Yes, you do.” Devon insisted. “And I don’t blame you. He’s hot. He’s great with kids. He’s gainfully employed. He probably even has great credit.”
Sydney grinned. Since becoming single, her sister had joked that there should be a dating site where people had to include their credit scores.
“Oh, and the big one when I kissed Isabella on the forehead while she was eating breakfast, she said that’s how Marco kisses you.”
Her first reaction was denial. “He does not.”
“He did this morning before he left for work.”
Did he? Sydney tried to remember when he left. She didn’t recall him kissing her.
“Yes. He did.” Devon answered her silent question. “I spied it with my very own eyes.”
“He’s done that since…forever.” He had done that a few times in high school. But he’d done it more since she’d been here. It felt so natural and right that she hadn’t even noticed that he’d done it before leaving for work.
“It doesn’t mean anything. We’re friends.” Sydney reiterated before turning toward the SUV. “You should get on the road. You don’t want Pauly’s Dramamine to wear off before you get down the mountain. He got car sick when they drove up here.”
Yesterday, when they’d been at the station, Marco had grabbed the medication and told Sydney that it would help with Pauly’s motion sickness.
When she turned back to her sister, she saw Devon was slack-jawed.
“What?” Sydney looked over both shoulders, sure that whatever had caused her sister’s look of disbelief must be behind her.
“You love him.”
Her head spun back to face her sister. “What?”
“You do.” Devon nodded somberly. “You love him.”
Sydney’s head shook back and forth in the tiniest of increments as she bit the inside of her lip. She did not want to ta
lk about her feelings for Marco because if she said it out loud, it would make it real. If it were real, she would have to deal with it. If she had to deal with it, it would be just one more thing that she had to get over. She didn’t want to get over Marco.
Emotions that she’d been trying to compartmentalize and ignore pushed their way to the surface and moisture pooled in Sydney’s eyes.
Alarm registered on her sister’s face. “No, don’t cry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
Unfortunately, her tear ducts did not heed her sister’s instructions. Sydney felt one tear and then another stream down her face.
Devon pulled her into a bear hug as she offered support and apologies. “I’m so sorry. It’s going to be okay. Whatever it is, we’ll fix it. I’m sorry. Everything is going to be fine.”
Sydney held onto her sister as she let out all the feelings that she hadn’t allowed herself to experience over the past year. Sadness. Fear. Anger. Love. Heartbreak. Her sister held her and let her cry it out. It wasn’t just what she felt for Marco that she was grieving, it was everything. Her sister’s accident. Her life doing a one-eighty. Simon’s betrayal. Everything that she’d tried not to feel was coming up.
After a minute or so, Sydney pulled herself together. This wasn’t the time for an emotional breakdown, even if she did deserve to have one.
She sniffed as she stepped out of her sister’s embrace and wiped her tear-stained cheeks. “I’m okay.”
Devon looked equal parts concerned and confused. “I’m scared to ask what happened because I don’t want to upset you more. But I’m really worried about you. Are you okay to stay here? Do you want to drive back with us?”
“No.” Sydney smiled through her tears, feeling true happiness at having her protective sister back in full force. “Nothing happened. I mean, yes, stuff happened, but that’s not why I’m crying. I promise. I’m okay.”
“Are you sure?” Devon’s eyes searched Sydney’s. “I can stay here. With the kids. Well, not here in this house, but I can stay in Hope Falls. The kids and I can get a room somewhere, and we can hang out for the week and then all drive back home together.”
Fire and Romance Page 19