Page 28 of Hardy

“Why?You’re so good atit.”

“Imagine trying to get on withyour life, only everywhere you go memories of Rose remained.Thedifference is, Rose is dead, and you can’t move on.You rememberthe way she smiled, how happy you both were when you found out youwere pregnant together.”Baker stopped talking and focused on thepastry in front of him.“Every memory that I have of baking in myshop is that of my dead wife.She was always there, chatting withme while I worked.Some of her friends thought she was crazysettling for a guy like me.How can a woman love a baker?He’s apussy.”Baker smiled, going bright red.“She asked me one day tojust come and pick her up in my arms, so I did.Lifting the largebags of flour and shit, it kept me in shape.”Baker shook his head,smiling.“I can bake now without it hurting too much.”

“I’m sorry, man.I don’t knowwhat I’d do without my woman.”He and Rose were not on the best of terms, but atleast she was alive.

Baker worked chocolate spreadall over the pastry,then sprinkled it with extra sugar and chocolate chips.Next, he rolled the pastries up, folding them inwards beforeplacing on a tray.It wasn’t long before the pastries were in theoven baking, and tea was being brewed.Hardy grabbed some orangejuice out of the fridge while Baker prepared fruit, eggs, andtoast.

“You might want to beready.She’s going to vomit before she makes it down here,” Bakersaid.

Wiping his hands on a towel, Hardy madehis way upstairs.He was outside of her room when he heard thesound of vomiting coming from the bathroom.Without waiting forpermission he rushed into the room and went for thebathroom.

Pulling back Rose’s hair, he rubbedhis hand across her back.

“Hardy, what the fuck areyou doing?”she asked.

“I’m helping you.”Herubbed her back, wrapping her hair around his fist.

“I’m vomiting.”

“I see.”

He winced as she heaved a second and athird time.There was nothing he could do other than sit around,and listen to her vomit.The sound of it turned his stomach, butHardy wasn’t going to be put off.He rubbed her back, taking careof her the way only a husband should.

“I’ve got you,baby.”

Finally it ended, and Rose slumped inhis arms, clearly happy for it to be over.

“I’ve got you.”

“I know.”She rested herface against his calf.

He caressed the back of her neck,trying to offer her as much comfort as he could.“Is it always thisbad?”

“Not all the time.It comes andgoes all the time.”She got to her feet, and Hardy gave her thespace she needed.He watched as she brushed her teeth, washed herface, and collected herself.

While she was busy, he noticedthe length of her legs exposed by the shirt.She rarely wore anyclothes to bed, but whenever she did, she was always in larger thanneeded shirts.Even the negligee he purchased for her had to belarger than she needed.In the last couple of months, she’d gaineda few pounds, and as far as Hardy was concerned, it made her lookso damned desirable.He used to hate it when they’d go to places,and she’d go for the salad and ask for the dressing to be removed.No one liked going out to eat with the intention of having all thegood stuff removed.What was the point in eating?Hardy hated itwhen he saw her eating carrot sticks or nibbling on celery.He’dnever complained about it as he hadn’t wanted to upset or offendher.

Fuck, he just wanted to reach out andrun his hands all over her curves.She was so damned hot, and hewondered how big her ass was now.All he’d need to do was reachout, and lift her shirt up.

Fisting his hand, he forced himself tostay in control.

Get a grip, Hardy.She’snot ready for that kind of shit yet.

“I’m surprised you’re stillhere.”

“I wasn’t in a rush.We’reall accepting Tate back home, and Lash is getting on his feet.”Hewouldn’t be anywhere else but where he was, watching his woman getready to face the day.

“Where’s Baker?”sheasked.

“He’s cooking breakfast.I wantedto do it, but I didn’t have a clue what to do so I employedhim.”

She chuckled.“He’s amazing in thekitchen.Millie’s going to be spoilt with him.”

“I don’t know.He seems alittle hung up on his first wife.I doubt he’s moved onyet.”

“Do we ever move on fromour first loves?”she asked.

Rose turned around, and Hardy stared intoher eyes.“Have you?”

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