Page 48 of My Heart To Heal

She turns and leaves, and I can’t keep the smile from my face. Tomorrow, the salon opens and Forest Falls is buzzing with excitement for Missy. She’s worked her ass off to get it ready, and I know they’re all going to show up for her.

As I head out to lock the door and turn off the lights, I think about the difference in my feelings toward her and the shop just a couple of months ago. I was so angry and resentful, but now all I feel is pride. I’ve watched her turn the dusty old shop into a beautiful salon, all while being an incredible mom to Jonah and finding her way in a new town. She blows me away.

As I reach the top of the stairs and the hallway between our apartments, I stop when I see Missy sitting on the floor, her head back against the wall.

‘Miss, you okay?’

She exhales and brings her hands up to cover her face.

‘I’m the worst mom in theworld.’

‘What? You’re an amazing mom.’ I move to squat in front of her, and she drops her hands to meet my gaze.

‘No, not according to Jonah, who told me, very loudly, that I’mthe worst mom in the world.’

‘He said that?’

‘Oh yeah, he lost his shit and threw a tantrum because I said he couldn’t go to see Bowie tonight.’

I’m a little shocked. Jonah is the sweetest, most polite little boy I’ve ever met, and he adores his mama, but I guess I only get to see the fun stuff.

‘He’s been getting like this a lot lately,’ she admits. ‘I don’t know what is happening in his little body, but he’s like a gremlin you fed after midnight right now.’

I offer a small smile.

‘He doesn’t mean it. You know that, right?’

‘I do, but it doesn’t make it easier to hear. I’m just so tired, Nick. He needs my attention, and I’ve been working all the damn time, and what if I’ve broken the bond we had because I’ve been passing him around so much.’

‘Miss—’ I stand and hold out my hands for hers, then pull her up and into a hug. She wraps her arms around my back and presses her cheek to my chest, and I drop a kiss to the top of her head. The scent of her shampoo, the scent she left on my pillows,makes my eyes close for the briefest moment. ‘Where is he now?’

‘In his room. I told him we both needed a minute.’

‘Can I talk to him?’ She pulls back a little and turns up to look into my eyes. Then, without further questions, nods and steps back to open the door, and I head inside.

‘Hey, bud,’ I say softly when I find Jonah sitting on his bed, his arms wrapped around his legs. He glances up at me and then buries his face against his arms. ‘Can I sit?’

He nods, so I move to sit at the bottom of his bed.

‘You want to talk about what happened with your mom?’ He shakes his head, no, and I take a deep inhale, considering my next move. They both need a minute. Missy is on her own, trying to deal with everything. I think about how it threw her off the first time Jonah asked me to read his bedtime story — it was weird for her because it’s always been her, so she didn’t know what to do with herself for those ten minutes. It hits me — she doesn’t get a break. When Jonah stays at Cara’s, or Doug’s, or Lynnie’s, it’s so that she can work.

‘Hey, Jonah, where are your scrubs?’ He looks up quickly, surprised at the question. I smile. I’m still wearing mine, so I pull at my top. ‘Your vet uniform.’

‘In my closet.’

‘Okay, you feellike putting them on and coming downstairs with me for a bit?’ His eyes widen, and he nods yes. ‘Okay, you get changed. I’m going to talk to your mom.’

Leaving Jonah to change, I head out to find Missy in the kitchen, leaning against the counter with a glass of water.

‘You okay?’ She nods yes. ‘I’m going to take Jonah for a bit.’ I don’t ask, and I see the surprise in her eyes as she swallows.

‘What?’

‘I’ll take him down to the clinic. He can help me do a few jobs. Take the next hour or so for yourself.’ I step closer to her, conscious that Jonah could come out of his room at any time and the last thing he needs to see is me all over his mom but wanting to be close to her. ‘Take a bath or a shower, watch TV, use one of the many, many toys you have in that closet of yours.’ I smirk and her lips part at the mention of my teammates. ‘You need a break, Miss, one where you’re not spending it painting or building furniture. You know he’s safe with me, so take the hour, okay?’

She presses her lips together and nods as Jonah comes running out of his room in his little scrubs, and my heart fucking explodes. I love this kid.

‘You ready to go, bud?’ I ask, and he nods but looks nervously between me and his mom.

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