Page 135 of Omega's Refuge

Rex took my hand. “We didn’t have much choice. We couldn’t let each other go.”

“Thank goodness,” she said, eyeing the sleeping baby. “This feels like a happy home. The child is lucky to have such wonderful parents.”

“You’re sure you don’t want to hold the baby?” I asked.

“I’m sure. Babies always cry when I hold them.” She made a little face.

“Let me know next time you want to drop by, I’ll make sure the baby is awake.” At her uneasy expression, I added, “I’ll show you how to hold him. I didn’t know anything about babies until I had one.” I gave her an encouraging smile.

“I guess I could try,” she said, looking at the baby with trepidation.

I laughed at her wary expression. “You’re probably nervous and tense when you hold a baby. I think babies can sense that.”

She nodded. “I see. They’re like horses. Horses can sense fear too.”

Rex chuckled. “Babies are a little different from horses, but I see what you’re getting at.”

“I’m glad you can decipher my meaning.” Mrs. Rodwell laughed. “Anyway.” She stood, shooting me a conciliatory smile. “Thank you for showing me grace, Tanner. You had every right to hold a grudge.”

“Negativity is a waste of energy.” I looked at Scott. “And right now, I need all the energy I can get.”

She smiled. “Right. I’m sure that’s true.” She moved to the door, and Rex followed. “I wanted to let you know, Rex, Seth has been doing a good job with the guests while you’ve had some time off. He’s really coming along.”

“That’s great.” He smiled. “Knowing he can fill in for me, if I need time off with the new baby, gives me peace of mind.”

“Me too.” She sighed. “I’ve come to depend on you a whole lot, Rex. I suspect that was partly why I acted like such a fool with Tanner. I worried he might take you away, back to the city.”

“I wouldn’t have done that to either of you,” I said. “I know Rex loves it here. He belongs here.”

She met my gaze. “Yes, and so do you, Tanner.” She opened the door and gave a little wave as she left.

Once she was gone, Rex returned to me. “That was a surprise,” he said, settling beside me again.

“You didn’t know she was going to do that?”

“Heck no.” He laughed. “I’m as shocked as you. Relieved too.”

“It means a lot to me that she went to the trouble of saying all of that to my face. Buying us the crib was a kind gesture, but it felt nice actually hearing her say she was sorry, and that she regretted the things she said.”

He lifted his brows. “I’ve never seen Mrs. Rodwell apologize to anyone. You should consider yourself special.”

“I do. For so many reasons.”

He took my hand, interlacing our fingers. “Life sure can keep you guessing sometimes. You think things will go one way and they go another.”

“So true.” I sighed. “I’m so glad I didn’t go to Hawaii.”

Rex looked confused.

I smiled. “I mean instead of coming here.”

“Oh. Right.” He laughed.

“I hinted to Steve a million times that I wanted a tropical vacation. But fortunately, he was a cheapskate. He had a coupon, so he brought me here instead.”

“That was a close call.” He nodded. “But, if I hadn’t had that misdiagnosis four years ago, I wouldn’t have been here when you arrived.”

“God, that’s true.” I widened my eyes. “Thank goodness for cheapskates and quack doctors.”

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