Page 109 of Blindly Yours

Later that evening, the three of us sit in the living room finishing up Kara’s favorite Disney movie. I took the armchair, and Kara is curled up under a blanket with Rose on the sofa.

She has her knees tucked up and her head on Rose’s shoulder while the colorful glow of the screen flashes across their faces. Rose is trailing her fingers absently through Kara’s hair as her little eyelids occasionally drift open and shut. I’ve had a hard time focusing on the movie, because watching the two of them is healing in a way I wasn’t prepared for.

Since Amber’s death, I’ve done my very best to grow closer to Kara, trying to fill the roles of both a father and a mother. But as hard as I try, nothing quite matches the gentle, nurturing touch of a woman. She needs a maternal presence, and seeing Rose take that place, even just for small moments like this, restores a void.

When she glances up and catches my observing gaze, I smile softly and return my focus to the movie, which is beginning to roll credits. I sit forward in my chair and turn off the TV. “Ok Kara, time for bed.”

Kara blinks and sits up quickly, pretending like she wasn’t just inches from sleep. “I’m not tired!”

I chuckle. “Well, it’s bedtime.”

She sighs. “Can Rose tuck me in?”

I shrug at Rose, who pulls the blanket from the two of them, stands up with a smile, and says, “Come on, sleepy head, let’s get you off to bed.”

Kara takes her hand and they pad down the hallway and out of sight, just long enough for me to clean up our dishes from dinner and pour us each a glass of wine.

When Rose returns, she eyes the glasses with a raised brow. “I didn’t take you for someone who’d have wine around the house.”

“I’m not.” I pass her one. “But I’m fully invested in learning to enjoy the things you love.”

She takes a small sip. “So, next you’ll be joining me at the mall?”

I laugh and swirl the wine in my glass. “I expect I’ll be there to carry your bags, but yes.” When I look up, she’s watching me with content, absorbed eyes. I don’t think I’ll ever grow tired of them. “Sorry, your evenings here usually include Kara,” I say regretfully.

“I don’t mind at all.” She takes another sip and then inches closer to set her glass on the table behind me. “You’re a packaged deal, and I love that. She’s really the sweetest girl.”

I take a long swig before I set my glass next to hers. Then I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her into me. “You’re really great with her.”

Rose traces her finger along the collar of my shirt. “She reminds me a little bit of myself at that age. Endless dreams and a lot of energy.”

“And look at all you’ve achieved, Miss Soon-to-be COO.” I grin as I tuck her hair behind her ear. I lower my hand and trail it slowly across her jaw.

“I wanted to ask you…” she says slowly. When she looks up at me, her long lashes flutter like wings, and I know I’m going to say yes to whatever it is. “In two weeks, my family is going to a wedding up on Caribou Lake. I have a plus one.”

Another evening with her parents.

“It would be for the whole weekend.” She confirms the painful detail. “But it’s a beautiful lodge, and they have lots of fun activities planned.”

“Will I be…” I pause to find the right words. “Will I bewelcomethere?”

She tilts her head sympathetically. “Yes of course. No one is going to prevent you from coming. There will be guests from all over the state and beyond.”

“Yes, but,” I clear my throat. “That doesn’t mean I’ll bewelcomed.”

She frowns apologetically and blinks up at me through those long lashes.

“Will Malcolm be there?” I have to ask.

She holds my gaze. “Honestly, I don’t know. But please don’t worry about that.”

I take a deep breath and lick my lips, staring deeply into the eyes of the woman I’d walk through fire for. Evidently, I know my answer.

“I’d love to come.” It comes out a little hoarse, but I smile to reassure her. “A weekend with you in a beautiful place…what more could I ask for?”

She rises to her toes to press her mouth into mine. She has the softest and fullest lips I think I’ve ever kissed, and it takes every effort not to pull one of them between my teeth each time they touch mine.

When she leans away, she licks her lips and grins. “I like the taste of wine on you.”

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