Page 42 of That One Heartbreak

“I love you too.” She stroked her daughter’s hair. When she looked up, James was standing in the doorway. “Go put the television on,” she told Addy. “You can watch some cartoons before bedtime.”

Addy didn’t need asking twice. She was out of Kate’s bedroom like a shot. Kate turned to her son, lifting her brow. “I get the feeling Marley’s going to have his work cut out for him.”

“I could have watched Ethan and Addy without him,” James pointed out.

“I know you could.” But she’d promised herself when she had Ethan – long before she’d lost Paul – that she wouldn’t use their oldest son as a babysitter. It seemed even more important now. James deserved to have a childhood, not to be her crutch. “And I’d be grateful if you could help him with your brother and sister.”

“Sure.” James nodded. “So this guy…”

“Allen.” It was strange how nervous she felt saying his name.

“Is he a good guy?”

It was funny, because this was the kind of conversation she’d expected to have with her dad when she first started dating. Butby then, her dad had passed and her mom hadn’t shown any interest in her dating life.

It touched her heart just a little that James was sounding so protective.

“I don’t know. I think so. But that’s why you go out to dinner with somebody. To find out what they’re like. It’s not a big deal. I just want to know if he’s worth talking to or not.” She reached for his hand. “I promise you I’m not trying to replace Dad.”

James’ jaw tightened. Damn, she loved this kid. Watching him growing into a man was one of the biggest privileges of her life. Bigger now that she was the only parent that got to see it. He was learning to control his emotions. Deal with them. And yes, sometimes he failed – the party in the fields being the biggest example – but he was mostly winning.

“I know. Nobody can replace him.”

She nodded. “If you’d rather I stay home, I will.” And that was being honest, too.

“No, you go. It’s fine. Just don’t expect me to call him daddy.”

She couldn’t help it. She started laughing. And then – to her joy – James joined in. It was what she needed, maybe what they both needed. Because this was no big deal, it really wasn’t.

“Mommy! Marley is here,” Addy was leaning against the bedroom window, her nose pressed against the glass, her breath frosting against it.

“Come here,” James said, pulling his sister into his arms. She squealed with joy. Any attention from her biggest brother was like a gift to her. He rubbed his nose against hers and she laughed.

“I’ll go open the door,” James said.

“Thank you.” Kate smiled at him. “Tell him I’ll be down in a few. Just as soon as I look presentable.”

“You look great, Mom,” James said. Then he glanced at her bare arms. “But maybe put on a jacket or something.”

“Of course.” Kate grinned at her protective son. “I wouldn’t want to get cold in this eighty degree heat, would I?”

What the hell are you thinking?Pres’ voice sounded so clear in his mind that Marley almost looked behind him to see if his brother was standing there on the stoop outside Kate’s house.

But no, he was alone. It was just the memory of their conversation from earlier and maybe a little of his own thoughts, too.

He was a masochist. Plain and simple. That had to be it. Somewhere along the line he must have developed a need for pain.

“Marley!” Addy grinned as James opened the door.

“Hey kid.” He forced a smile onto his face and ruffled her hair. His eyes caught James’ and they both nodded like the man and almost-man they were.

“Come on in,” James said. “Mom’s almost ready.”

“Cool.” He steadied himself to see her. Because yes, she’d been on his mind almost constantly this week.

Ethan was in the living room, watching some cartoon that looked way too mature for him. The kind made for adults, not kids, but Marley wasn’t about to start off on a bad note.

“Hey,” he said, popping his head around the door, smiling at Kate’s middle child.

---