Page 27 of Cold as (N)ice

“Oh… oh gosh, oh Barrett,” she gushed in a breathy voice.

“What is it?” he asked, leaning forward slightly as if closing the distance between them over the phone.

“It’s… it’s your new jersey and hats. Oh, and there are T-shirts, a stuffed animal, and…” she trailed off, her voice warm with the kind of wonder he didn’t think he’d ever hear about something involving him.

“Oh really?” he asked, his lips twitching into the faintest shadow of a smile.

“Yes – and there’s a letter.”

He tried to joke, the dryness in his tone masking the genuine unease gnawing at him. “Is it on pink paper?”

Her soft chuckle filtered through the line, the sound was like a balm to his frayed nerves.

“Quite the opposite,” she replied gently, a hint of teasing laced in her words. “Come home, and I’ll make a fresh pot of coffee.”

The knot in his chest loosened just a little.

“I’ll see you soon,” he said, starting the car, the thought of home — of her — giving him something to hold onto as he pulled out of the garage and headed toward her.

8

IRENE

Irene was waitingby the garage door when she heard Barrett pull in. Their situation was a strange one and strained in ways she could barely define. They went from strangers to occasional texts to husband and wife – all because both were desperate for aid in a way that neither expected. He was afraid to lose everything, and she had been given a new life, a new blessing to grow and raise by a person who treated her awful.

Two desperate people.

Two completely different situations.

That kiss after they had said ‘I do’ had left both of them rattled, almost as much as leaving the courthouse. The pretending had felt so real. Maybe in another world, another life, under different circumstances, they could have been those ‘joyous people in love’ who ran down the steps, hugging and laughing, holding hands and looking at each other. He’d asked for the performance of a lifetime – and they both delivered.

Barrett had been so thrilled, stopping to talk to the reporter.

“Hey there!” he’d said in a jubilant voice, turning and smiling at her. “I guess my other secret is out in the open now too – fellas – meet my wife, Irene…”

Irene closed her eyes at that moment, turning away from the garage door to take another moment or two, precious seconds, as she thought about those moments on the courthouse steps.

Barrett had turned to her, touched her cheek, and then leaned in, kissing her with a tenderness that she’d never experienced in her entire life. That quiver in her stomach had turned into a full-blown convulsion of the soul as her heart flipped wildly at the attention. He’d backed away slightly, giving her a smile, before pulling her to him in a hug – like he cared.

It was an act.

The only person who cared in her life was sound asleep on the sofa, completely worn out from the excitement of the day. The kids at school had invited him to play on the playground, asked him questions about Barrett, and treated him like he was normal – and he was to her. He was her baby, her child, her life; but he was also a growing boy who was starting to slowly assert himself by picking out his own food, his own clothes and giving his opinion of stuff. Those teenage years would be here before she knew it, and she sighed just as the door to the house opened.

“Hey,” Barrett said in a hushed voice, and she poured them both a cup of coffee.

“Hey,” she replied, using his greeting. “You okay?”

“No,” he whispered honestly, giving her a raw and emotional look with eyes that looked glossy. “I’m not sure what I feel right now – but ‘okay’ isn’t anywhere near that. Are you okay?”

“I’m not sure,” she replied quietly, not holding back. “Scared, nervous, intimidated,” she volunteered and gave him a wry smile. “which are all things that I don’t normally feel. Usually, I stress about the bills, groceries, or putting gas in the car, but this is definitely not the ‘norm’ for me.”

“Me neither,” he confessed and reached for the coffee – only to stop and move slightly to the left, touching her hand instead. Neither said a word as he simply laid his palm on the back of herhand, lacing his fingers with hers. She looked up at him, feeling her chin wobble precariously as her eyes stung… and met his glistening ones.

“I promise you things are going to be okay,” he said hoarsely. “I will make sure of it because I’m on a road I never imagined now… and I need someone on my side.”

“I’m here,” she whispered openly, her voice just as hoarse and emotional. “I never thought to marry again, but then again, I never dreamed I would have another baby… yet here we are. I’ll make our place a home, and if you need support - I’ll be there.”

“Same,” he offered and hesitated, turning slightly to her and drawing her into his arms, hugging her tightly as a sob escaped him. He started to pull away – and she clung to him, welcoming him back into her arms, hugging him closely.

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