Page 42 of Cold as (N)ice

It was already becoming something real between them.

The car ride home was a quiet one – except for the faint snores coming from Stephen in the back seat of the vehicle.

“Is this a rental?” she asked quietly, looking around at the spacious van and remembering he had his big fancy blacked-out Tahoe.

“Actually, it’s yours,” he replied, not pulling his eyes from the road as he turned down a driveway. “The car carriers will be herein a few days with both vehicles, but until then, I wanted you to have something safe and dependable to drive with the children.”

“You bought me a car,” she questioned flatly, stunned.

“Yeah, I did,” he said in the same tone, giving her a sideways look as he pulled up to the house, pressing on the mirror button. A garage opened, and she saw a gorgeous flecked floor instead of a concrete slab – completely with a sign that said “MRS.” in front of her spot.

“You’re ridiculous,” she chuckled nervously, glancing at the unbelievably sweet man.

“I know, but you’re stuck with me regardless,” he tossed out playfully – and then handed her the keys. “I hope you don’t mind a blue minivan.”

“I couldn’t care less what color it is.”

“The teams’ colors are blue and red – and well, they really want us pushing the whole ‘solidarity’ thing, but if you want…”

“Barrett,” she interrupted, putting a hand on his arm. “I’m thrilled and a little shocked that you bought me a car. I mean, that’s like saying, ‘Oh yeah, I hit the lottery and forgot to tell you’…”

“Oh yeah,” he chuckled, and her mouth dropped open.

“You didn’t?”

“I did,” he smiled softly, getting out of the car and walking around toward their side, not breaking eye contact as he opened the passenger side of the car and took her hand, helping her out like she was some damsel exiting a carriage back in the eighteen hundreds. “Well, I didn’t - but it felt that way when you got off the plane and I saw you.”

Irene swallowed the lump in her throat as she stared at him emotionally – only to see him slide open the side of the van as he scooped up Stephen’s exhausted form, holding him limp against his shoulder. Was there anything more beautiful than a man caring for the child he willingly chose to call his own?

She was melting.

“Maybe you were right,” she whispered, looking at him. “Maybe my guardian angel is listening to me after all.” Her voice faded at the glorious smile he gave her, reaching out for her hand – and to her shock? He kissed the back of it before walking toward the door of their new home.

“Let me put him in his room – and we’ll talk.”

As they entered the house, her trembling hand drifted up to cover her shocked mouth as her lips parted. The video footage did not do the house justice. The oak floors were warm and inviting – and beckoned you forward the moment the garage door opened into the massive kitchen. In the middle was a huge island with a dark granite countertop and four padded stools were already waiting to have relaxed moments as a family.

Her eyes burned with tears, realizing that he’d given her almost everything she could have wished for – a home, friendship, acceptance, and removing all of life’s burdens from her shoulders. He gave her a car, a home, and opened his life to them without a fight and she never imagined things could ever feel this good.

Taking in everything, she saw Barrett carrying Stephen across the empty living room where a massive stone fireplace stood in the corner. They could have a roaring fire in the winter, telling stories together, or snuggling and watching the snowflakes fall in the safety of this nest, this cocoon of happiness that he’d gifted her.

That cool, icy man she’d met that first day had transformed into nothing short of a miracle, layer by layer, piece by piece… and she was falling for him. Oh my gosh, was she falling hard.

Seeing the open doorway, she walked toward it and caught a glimpse of him gingerly lying down Stephen on a bunk bed – and spotted the desk off to the side with a gift laying on top of it. The big bright green bow caught her eye, and she chuckledtearfully as she realized that the walls of the room were painted with three shades of green – each a different color so it wasn’t so overwhelming.

There was a dark, forest green wall as an accent, a much lighter green wall beside it, and the last was the palest shade of green – with three big blocks painted in the various shades. This was something tasteful and not childlike, yet indulging her son and respecting his requests. It was something that would honestly work for him as he grew into his teenage years… causing her to marvel at the man she’d married all over again as Barrett turned to her, holding up a finger to his lips.

She nodded as he took her hand and pulled her from the room with him, pulling the door slightly – and hesitated.

“I don’t have a sticky note to leave him.”

“I think he’ll realize where he is when he wakes up and sees that gift from you…”

“From us,” he corrected gently, and she smiled.

“What did we get him?” she chuckled, acknowledging what he’d said and following him as he led her to another door.

“Well, I got him a new Gameboy color and a few games…”

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