Page 112 of Prodigal Son

“I’ve been…preoccupied.”

She glanced at the unmade bed. “I can see that.” Moving to the window, she opened it. “Let a little air in here.”

He kept his stare mostly on the babe. His motions softened from steps to glides and he bounced ever so slightly and made soothing sounds with his mouth. The young male seemed to like that.

“I named him after you—”

“You shouldn’t have done that,” he interrupted.

She scowled. “I didn’t ask for your opinion. I named him after you, because I want him to think of others before he thinks of himself.”

Cain scoffed. “That’s not really my modus operandi.”

“And I want him to be so humble that he does the right thing even when there’s a considerable cost to himself.” She met his stare. “That’s true honorability, Cain. It isn’t boastful or motivated. Larissa told me what you said today.” Her chin quivered. “How could you think we don’t appreciate all that you’ve sacrificed for us?”

“It’s not fair if you cry. And let’s not assume my brother shares your sense of forgiveness.”

“Adam’s scared. Everything he values hangs in the balance of your choices. You think you’re the one without freedom, but his happiness depends on your mercy.”

“I didn’t bow out because of mercy or pity. I did it for you.”

“I know that.”

“So should he.”

“He does. On some level.”

She strode back to the window and the baby watched her, already bonded and finding her the most appealing woman in any room. Cain could empathize. Anna was easy to watch.

“Pride has a way of purposely masking the truth, Cain” She glanced out the window as the fading sun fought to break through the clouds. “Adam feels he owes a debt to you he’ll never be able to repay, and a sense of obligation can easily lend itself to fear.”

“I would never delude or betray him like that.”

“I know.”

“He should know it, too.”

“He does, on some level. Adam’s followed all the rules all of his life. He’s worked very hard to be an honorable male.” She smirked. “Imagine how frustrating it must be to see you abandon tradition and mock so many of the laws then perform the most selfless act of all.”

He narrowed his eyes. “No one sees it that way. They all saw you as Adam’s first.”

“Adam sees the truth. He knows what you did for him, and he will spend his entire life contending with that debt. That’s a long time for an immortal.”

And Cain would spend eternity coveting his brother’s wife. “If you truly feel that way, why have you shut me out?”

“Shut you out?”

“I know you’ve been busy with the baby, but you never come to me in my dreams anymore. I haven’t heard from you.”

She frowned. “Cain, I dream every night. I go to our secret places and search for you, but you’re never there. I thought it was you who was shutting me out.”

“You’re still dreaming?”

“Yes. All the time. Babies sleep a lot, and mothers need their rest, too.”

He frowned. Perhaps they were sleeping at different times of the day. “I’ve tried…” It was one thing to assume she was punishing him, but to learn that wasn’t the case and their connection might actually be lost… “What does this mean?”

“Gracie told me you felt my labor.”

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