Page 104 of A Me and You Thing
They’re a team, taking care of the twins together. I feel so out of the loop. I remind myself that this is only my third day back at home.Give it some time.
Claire munches on her remaining chips. “They sure seem fine now.”
“Sawyer and I will put them down for their naps soon. They’ll need it.” She turns to Sawyer. “Don’t you think?” She rests one hand on his arm.
“Oh, yeah,” he says.
I follow the movement of her hand as she rubs it back and forth. I look up at Sawyer. His eyes are on me, hard and intense.
I look away.
Claire stands up. “I’d better be going. I need to check on your father. I don’t like leaving him alone for very long. She gives me a long hug and I thank her for everything.
“I have a doctor appointment. I’d better get going too,” Mom says, cringing as she sits up. I know she overdid it today. She hugs me as well, and I probably hug her a little too tightly. She whispers in my ear, “Everything’s going to be okay, Quinn. Please don’t worry.”
I need her comfort. Sometimes a girl just needs her mom. I’d like to go home with her and escape my life. But I don’t. I have two little reasons to stay.
“Mommy, push me,” Josie says.
I can’t help but gasp at the request.
Mom smiles at me. “They know you, Quinn. Babies don’t forget their mothers.”
“I’ll be in my room. I have things to do.” Bree gets to her feet abruptly and leaves in an obvious huff.
Sawyer lets out his breath. “I’ll be back in a minute.” And he follows her.
Follows her.
I cast a worried frown at Mom. “It’ll be okay. Sawyer loves you. Go spend time with your babies. They make everything better.”
She’s right. They do. We say a final goodbye and I join my girls, pushing them on the swings.
“Higher!” They both keep telling me. Little daredevils. I don’t let them go as high as they’d like, but keep them at a moderate pace. I love watching them swing and hearing their giggles. I can’t even begin to contain the joy in my heart. I can already feel the connection blossoming between us. My girls and I, we’re going to be just fine.
“Quinn.”
I turn and see Sawyer waiting to talk to me. He looks worried—and my heart sinks.
“Be right back, girls.”
I walk over to Sawyer, letting my bare feet sink into the soft grass. He’s so distracted, I swear, he looks right through me. My heart sinks at his preoccupation.
“You look like an angel in that dress.”
Maybe he’s not as preoccupied as I thought. “I’m not an angel. I’m very much alive.”
“Yes, you are.”
The backyard door opens. “Sawyer, I’m ready.”
“Are you going somewhere?”
“I’m taking Bree out for a short walk. Will you be all right with the girls for a few? I know you need to rest. You’ve done a lot today.”
I’m speechless for several moments as anger boils inside me. I know he said he needed to talk to Bree today, but I didn’t think it would beallday. Bree’s angst is real and I feel for her, but this is maddening. “Are... are you serious?”
“Sorry. She’s having a hard time.” His eyes glance toward the back door as though he’s nervous to be caught talking to me. Or maybe that’s just my perception. Sawyer’s not the type to back down from anything. “Will you be okay?”
