Page 58 of The Wish List
“Just like that?”
“Just like that.”
I swept her into my embrace and kissed her. She held me tight, letting me command her mouth, hold her close and ravish her. I wanted to carry her to my bed and bury myself in her for hours. Until she believed the words I was speaking.
But the sound of running feet broke us apart. Rosie was breathing fast, her cheeks flushed.
“Do you understand what you mean to me?” I asked. I knew my wealth overwhelmed her. That the life I led was different from hers. Different, but not better. I had to be patient and let her figure it out. I wasn’t worried that it was insurmountable. She needed some time to get used to all of it.
“I’m beginning to.”
I held out my hand. “Then come with me. I need dinner, and you promised me shepherd’s pie. After AJ goes to bed, I’ll finish showing you.” I paused. “If it takes all night, you’ll understand, Rosie. I promise you that.”
* * *
She relaxed as she puttered around the kitchen, exactly the way I knew she would. She grew more comfortable, the glass of wine I poured her helping, as much as the fact that she was in her element. She loved to cook, and I had been told the kitchen was a chef’s dream.
I used it to heat up leftovers and make the occasional easy meal.
But Rosie was cooking. I heard her humming as she chopped and stirred. I surreptitiously watched her as she opened cupboards, investigating and finding what she needed. I’d had the kitchen department at Zoles fill it with everything. Pots, pans, baking implements. All sorts of gadgets and things I would never use, but I knew Rosie would. I heard her soft exclamations of delight as she discovered something she was looking for. Her pleasure at the self-lifting mixer in one of the bottom cupboards made me chuckle. It also inspired her to “whip up a batch of cookies” while the shepherd’s pie cooked. My condo had never smelled so appetizing.
She watched us as well. Commented on the Lego creation we were making. Chuckled at some of AJ’s random thoughts. I heard all about the kids at school. The new girl missing her two front teeth that made her lisp when she spoke.
“The other kids laughed, but I got mad,” AJ told me. “She fell off a swing in the summer, and they came out.”
“What did you do?” I asked.
“I told them to stop being mean. I held her hand and told her she was pretty and I liked her even if she talked a little funny. I thought it was cute. I think she could be my friend. Now that Ashley moved, it would be nice.”
I nodded in understanding. He had told me about Ashley moving on the phone, and he was sad. From what Rosie had said, I gathered it was sudden, and he didn’t get to say goodbye. I was pleased he had a new friend to play with. And I was proud of his actions.
“Good man. You should always stick up for people.”
He nodded. “I sat with her at lunch, and she gave me a cookie. I wanted to give her a bite of my apple, but she said it was too hard since her teeth were gone. I am gonna ask Momma to give me a knife so I can cut it up next week and share.”
“Maybe take a banana,” I advised. “Or some grapes. I don’t think your momma will give you a knife.”
His eyes lit up. “Good idea, Asher! They would be easy for her to eat.”
I ruffled his hair. This kid slayed me with his good heart.
We ate dinner, AJ not overly impressed with the shepherd’s pie, but I was. I ate two large helpings, plus salad and bread. Then I ate four cookies, still warm from the oven, and drank a large cup of coffee.
“You won’t be able to sleep tonight,” Rosie admonished me.
I grinned and winked. “That was my plan.”
I loved her blush. And the way she rolled her eyes as she picked up the plates. Pretending to be affronted but smiling at the same time.
We watched a movie, AJ marveling at the size of the screen. He was crazy for the big chair he sat in that had a cupholder and a wide arm to put the bowl of popcorn I’d made in the microwave. I was certain I had impressed Rosie with my skills when I made it for us, adding the butter with a flourish as I informed her I was a microwave genius. Her laughter was music to my ears.
I sat beside her on the sofa, a blanket over our knees. I turned on the fireplace, the flames dancing in the low light, the heat making the room cozy. She sighed in contentment, nestled against me, a bowl of popcorn on my lap, her head on my shoulder. At one point, I glanced down at her. She was asleep, her eyelashes resting on her cheeks as she slumbered. I looked over at AJ, amused to see he, too, had fallen asleep, one hand still in the popcorn bowl. I felt a rush of tenderness for them, plus the internal pride that they were comfortable and safe because they were here with me. The condo was warm, they were content, and somehow that was all that mattered. I let the movie end, then shut it off, easing from Rosie. I picked her up and carried her down the hall, frowning as she stirred when I laid her on the bed. “Go back to sleep,” I whispered.
“AJ,” she protested sleepily.
“I’ll put him to bed.”
She mumbled something incoherent, falling back asleep. I stood over her, brushing her pretty hair off her forehead, pleased that she trusted me enough to let me handle the task.
