Page 37 of Rafa's Convenient Wife

“True,” he allowed.

“If you’re going to be traveling frequently, it’s probably best we have someone here with us.” Her expression turned dark. “Especially after the way Beverly behaved today.”

Beverly.He decided not to speak the words he was thinking. They weren’t words he wanted Jasper to hear.

With Jasper in the crook of one arm, he used the other to pull Sky close. He held her worried gaze and promised, “She will never get her hands on Jasper.”

“She’s always hated me, and she’ll do anything to hurt me.”

“I won’t let her touch you,” he swore. “You’re my wife. I protect my family.”

“She could hurt us, Rafael.” Sky’s voice quavered, and his brow furrowed. “She knows things about—.”

His phone rang. It was his mother’s ring tone.

“Answer it, Rafa. It’s your mother.” She reached for Jasper. “It must be important.”

“I’ve got him, Sky. You should go take a nap. You said you were tired on the drive.”

She hesitated. “Are you sure? I don’t mind.”

“I know.” He carefully turned her toward the stairs. “Go. Sleep. I’ve got it handled.”

She bit her lower lip but eventually nodded and walked out of the living room. He carried Jasper to the couch, shruggedout of his suit jacket and toed off his shoes before returning his mother’s call. He soon regretted that decision. Once he told her the truth about the disastrous mediation, she went off on him for being late, for not living up to his marriage vows and for being a bad husband.

“Mama,” he groaned, rubbing his aching head. “I’m going to fix it. We have a housekeeper and a nanny. I’m bringing in security. I’ll hire a cook. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

“Humph. You can’t just throw money at it and fix it, Rafael. Sky needs more than that. She needs a man—her man—to step up and take care of her.”

“I know.”

“Do you?” His mother sighed with displeasure. “You told me you were going to be more present for Sky and Jasper.”

“I am, Mama. I’m trying.” He kept his voice measured and his tone respectful even though he wanted to yell. “I have responsibilities with the business. I can’t just shove all of that at Dina and run away. I have long-term relationships I have to handle carefully.”

“Then handle them and make a plan with a clear timeline,” his mother insisted.

“I will.” Jasper started to clamber all over him and gnawed on his little fist. “Mama, I have to go. Jasper is hungry, and it’s almost time for his nap.”

“Is Sky there? I wanted to talk to her about the party.”

“She’s sleeping.”

“Good. Don’t bother her. Let her rest. If you can’t handle Jasper on your own, call me. I’ll tell you what needs to be done.”

“Okay, Mama.” He made a face at Jasper who squealed with laughter as he ended the call. Tossing aside his phone, he picked up Jasper and carried him into the kitchen. “All right,mijo, let’s find something to eat.”

He no longer felt silly narrating his movements as he made a simple snack for Jasper. Sky had explained that it was important for Jasper to hear them using language. It made sense and had shown him how ignorant he was when it came to raising a child.

He was working on that. Jasper’s pediatrician and the child life specialist they had been referred to had given him a list of books and YouTube videos. He felt like he was back in college, cramming for an exam as he read through the books and took notes. Of course, the consequences for failing this exam would be dire.

After smearing more banana on his face than into his mouth, Jasper finished his bottle and fell asleep. Rafa marveled at how very little he minded his Brioni shirt being absolutely trashed by his nephew. A few weeks ago, he would have been nearly apoplectic to spill even a drop of red wine on it. Now? He couldn’t even see some of the buttons because they were so crusted with banana and graham crackers.

He brushed a tender kiss to Jasper’s head, breathing in the scent of his baby soap and shampoo. He remembered teasing Dina about constantly smelling and snuggling Camilla when she was a tiny baby. He finally understood why. There was something addicting about the scent.

These were the parts of parenthood he found easy. Feeding him. Playing with him. Holding him. Loving him. They came surprisingly natural to him. It was everything else that terrified him. Every parenting book he read or podcast he listened to filled him with fear. There were so many ways to fail.

Then again, he considered how well Maddie had turned out despite her mother. Rafael couldn’t stop thinking about the venom Beverly spewed at Sky. What kind of person blamed a child for all the wrongs in their life? Sky hadn’t asked to be born to a philandering father. She didn’t force her father to divorce Beverly. She was innocent and didn’t deserve—.

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