Page 5 of The Wish List
Our breakfast arrived, and I filled a plate, sliding it in front of Rosie. I had ordered family style, so I knew there would be plenty. “Eat.” I paused, using a word that rarely passed my lips. “Please.”
AJ ran over, sliding onto a chair. He gazed at the table, his eyes wide. “Oh, Momma. This is a feast!”
I laughed and slid a pancake onto his plate and added some bacon and scrambled eggs. Rosie cut up the pancake after adding some butter and syrup to it, and AJ dug in, chatting in excitement. He pointed out his favorite parts of the display, telling me about his school, his best friend, Charlie, and his second favorite friend, Ashley.
“Sometimes she says she’s my girlfriend, and I just let her,” he explained. “Momma says I’m too little to have a girlfriend, but I don’t like to hurt her feelings.” He grinned, showing me a mouthful of pancakes. “She’s nice, though, and gives me her cookies at lunch sometimes, so it’s okay if she wants to hold my hand in line.”
I nodded sagely, finding him highly entertaining. He had good table manners, said please and thank you, and was intelligent. Rosie was obviously a good mother.
I watched her eat, noticing her seeming love of toast. She buttered each piece liberally, adding jam and enjoying the small triangles. Color returned to her cheeks as she ate some bacon and eggs, and I filled her coffee cup again, adding cream and sugar as if I had been doing it for years. It pleased me to know I was doing something to help her—even if it was in the smallest of ways.
It struck me how comfortable I was with the two of them. None of my usual impatience or terseness was present. I laughed and teased AJ, as well as his mother. I smiled in amusement at his ramblings. Watched his momma with concern and interest.
She fascinated me. From the way she ate her toast to her quiet observations. I thought she was lovely, her red hair and freckles enchanting. On AJ, they were adorable; on Rosie, they were sexy and playful. Yet, she seemed unaware of her prettiness. Our eyes met often, locking for brief moments and speaking volumes before she would drop her gaze to her plate or refocus on AJ. I wondered if she was feeling the same draw to me as I was to her.
We finished breakfast, and I paid the bill, silencing her protests with a dark look. When we were done, she was surprised but didn’t object as I took her hand and led her and AJ out of the restaurant.
“I’ll drive you home.” She had mentioned the bus at one point, but I didn’t want to say goodbye yet. Or have them wait in the cold for public transportation.
“Oh no—” she began, but I held up my hand, silencing her.
“I’ll drive you home,” I repeated.
She didn’t reply or make a comment as we stepped outside and my vehicle was waiting by the door. She looked nervous, and it occurred to me I was a stranger and basically demanding she let me drive her home. I called the store doorman over.
“Mr. Hart?” he asked.
“This is Rosie Duncan. I am driving her and her son home.”
He tipped his hat. “Yes, sir.” He smiled at Rosie. “You’re in good hands, miss. Mr. Hart will look after you.”
She glanced at me with a smile. “Thank you.”
“I want you to feel safe.”
“I do.”
“Good, then let’s get you home.”
I was grateful I had a car seat for my niece already and I knew how to use it. When she saw it, Rosie looked startled, but I explained. “My niece and I have a standing pizza night once a month. I drive.” I winked. “She’s a terror behind the wheel.”
Her laughter made me grin. It was light and buoyant, the sound filling the air. I liked it. I wanted to hear more of it.
I buckled AJ into the back, made sure Rosie was safe in the front, and slid into the driver’s seat.
“What?” I asked as I turned to look at her, seeing the look of confusion and wonder on her face.
“Where did you come from, Asher?” she asked.
I smiled as I touched her cheek. “Your secret wish list.”
Her blush said it all.
CHAPTERTWO
ASHER
Ididn’t ask if I could come in when we reached her apartment. I simply got out of the vehicle and followed them inside. They lived in a small apartment block, the neighborhood decent for the area. Inside, her home was compact but spotless. A tiny living room and kitchen, a place for a table and chairs to one side. AJ took my hand and showed me his room, the boy theme making me smile. Cars and trucks were big for him, his toy chest overflowing with all sorts of little vehicles.
