Page 60 of Cold as (N)ice

“Much better,” he chuckled approvingly. “You could have left off the ‘dumpster fire,’ but it works. Well, when things change, I was looking at possibly seeing if I could get a position as a sports commentator on a network – or coaching.”

“Seriously?” she asked, her eyes huge.

“Yeah,” he nodded, his expression turning grave. “Irene, no one knows, so you can’t say a word to anyone. I’ve been saving all these years, since I was eighteen, and socking it away to buy a team someday.”

“Oh my gosh, how much do you have saved?” she gaped, shocked. “Is that why you weren’t living in one of those big fancy mansions?”

“Hey, it was a nice place,” he mocked dramatically – and then nodded. “If it doesn’t happen, then I’ve got enough to keep us comfortable for a long time, if I can find something else.”

“That’s incredible.”

“I don’t know about ‘incredible’,” he smiled tenderly and touched her growing stomach. “To me,thisis incredible. Stephen isincredible. Our love and how we found each other isincredible.”

“I love you – and I really need to tell Batiste thank you,” she chuckled, smiling at him.

“I already did,” he whispered softly. “I sent him a huge basket with all sorts of pastries and cat toys.”

“Where did you find a place to make a basket like that?”

“Lafreniere’s sister owns a bakery, and Madeline is a gem.”

“Uh, no,” she frowned. “You don’t get to fawn over other women.”

“Are you jealous? Honey, you have nothing to be jealous over because I’m not looking, not when…” Barrett paused, uncurling his arm from her waist and signing. She felt like a bad mom because she didn’t even notice Stephen getting up from his cartoon.“Hey buddy, is your show over?”

Are you tickling Mommy?

No,she replied quickly, smiling.But I can tickle you!

Are we having a… tickle fight?Barrett teased.

Noooo,Stephen laughed, shaking his head and backing away – only for Barrett to grab his arm protectively as she signed quickly in alarm, both of them moving quickly toward the boy.

Hang on and watch your feet – you almost stepped on the game controller, and we don’t want you to fall into the television or the glass cabinet. You’ll get hurt.

Sorry,he motioned as Barrett released him.

I’m hungry,Barrett signed and looked at her.How about we make lunch together in a little bit and take our coffee – and hot cocoa – out onto the deck to see if we can see any deer.

Mommy said there are bears here.

Yes, there are.

I wanna see a moose someday,Stephen signed emphatically.

Not me,Barrett gestured, his eyes huge.They are scary and mean – like your mommy when she doesn’t have her coffee.

Irene looked at him and he shied away, pretending, as Stephen made a choked laugh. Barrett met her eyes, his warm gaze melting with emotion as he looked at her and signed for her son’s sake.

Let’s spend the day in our pajamas, be together, and just have fun today. We can play games, relax, and hang out – allof us. Nothing big, nothing exciting, but a moment to unwind together as a family.

Irene felt her heart tighten, the tenderness of his words wrapping around her like a long-forgotten embrace. A family. The word held weight and carried memories, dreams, and hopes she’d scarcely dared to whisper. She glanced toward Stephen, watching the quiet eagerness bloom on his small face.

“I would love that,”she said softly, her voice carrying more than agreement—it carried gratitude, quiet and deep. She gestured, her gaze meeting Stephen’s, waiting for his response.

Me, too.

His reply was simple, but it was enough to send warmth spilling through her chest.

---