Page 72 of That One Heartbreak

“It’s a lot to take on another woman’s child,” she’d told Kate. “You’re young. Too young. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

“He’s also my child,” Kate had said firmly. Because she’d fallen in love with James as much as she’d fallen for Paul. “I’madopting him after the wedding.” And she had. He was her son. Had been since the day they’d walked out of the courthouse.

Sometimes he felt like more than that. Because he’d found her when she needed him the most.

“How come the trainees get to skip church, anyway? Doesn’t the pastor have something to say about that?” Carlton asked her.

Kate smiled. “His house caught fire about fifteen years ago. He won’t hear a word against the department after that. He says that as long as they are pure in their hearts he believes God knows they need to train on Sundays.”

Paul and Reverend Maitland had had a good relationship. God, why was she thinking about the past so much?

“Morning,” Ethan said, walking into the kitchen. “Hey Grandpa.”

Carlton ruffled his hair. “Hey kiddo.”

“Can I sit next to you at church?” he asked. Carlton’s eyes met Kate’s.

“Ah, I was planning to go watch James at his junior firefighter training,” Carlton told him.

Ethan pouted. “That’s not fair.” He looked at Kate. “Can I go with Grandpa to watch him too?”

Carlton gave her an ‘I don’t mind’ kind of shrug.

Truth be told, she didn’t have the energy to fight with him this morning. “Okay. If you promise to be good for Grandpa you can go with him.”

“Where’s Ethan going with Grandpa?” Addy asked, walking in. Her sweet face was still creased from where she’d slept on her pillow, and her hair was sticking to her cheeks. Kate brushed it away, kissing the top of her daughter’s head.

“We’re going to watch James at the fire station.” Ethan said it firmly, like he was still worried Kate would change her mind.

“I want to go with them,” Addy said. “Mommy, can I go?”

“I…”

“It’s fine by me.” Carlton passed her a coffee. She took it gratefully.

“And you’ll come too, Mommy, right?” Addy asked.

“Come where?” James said. He was wearing a pair of sweatpants and his fire department t-shirt. His hair was a mess.

“Bend your head,” Kate told him, raking her fingers in an attempt to tame his curls. “You should have showered.”

“I’m showering after training,” James said patiently. “Why would I do it before?”

Teen logic was strong. She had no answer for that.

“We’re coming to watch you at the fire station,” Addy said excitedly. “All of us.”

A half smile pulled at James’s lips. “All of you?”

“Me, Ethan, Grandpa, Grandma, and Mommy,” Addy chanted.

“Not Grandma. She’s staying in bed,” Kate said hurriedly.

“But the rest of you are?” James asked, his lips curling.

Kate let out a breath. “Yes,” she said firmly. “As long as that’s okay with you.”

His warm eyes met hers. His cheeks were flushed, as though he was secretly pleased but way too cool to show much emotion.

---