Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 135382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
His mother had wept when his dad had left, but he rather thought they’d been tears of relief.
It’ll be all right, Mum. I can help.
Oh, we’ll be all right, my lovie. Don’t you doubt that and don’t think we need him for a moment. You’ll be a better man without him around.
Did Steph feel the same way about him?
“I’m sorry about your dad, but it’s good your mom found someone new. I wish mine had. I was close to mine for a long time and then we kind of drifted apart,” she admitted. “My mom died a few years back. I don’t talk to my dad anymore.”
“Why is that?”
“I made a mistake back in high school,” she said, her eyes on the ground.
He knew her story. He’d been given background on her and her association with Avery and Liam O’Donnell. “That was an accident. No father should drop his baby girl because she makes a mistake.”
“It was a big mistake.”
“Ain’t no mistake that big. You tell me if there is anything this boy could do that would make you turn from him. I just met him and I can tell you I’ll stand by him for the rest of his life. He might disappoint me, but he’s my boy. He’s mine and that means I will be at his side even if the worst happens.”
She looked up finally, tears in her eyes. “I won’t leave him either. Not for any reason.”
“Yeah, I think you and my mum will get on just fine.” He rocked and Nate’s eyes were starting to close.
“I’m tired, Brody. I think I’ll get dressed and go to bed. I’ll be out in a minute to put him down.”
“I can handle it. You take a nice long shower. I’ve got the boy. And I’ll take the couch.”
She stood up. “It’s fine. It’s a king-size bed. I’m sure we’ll survive one night. And thanks for telling me about your mom. I know you don’t like to talk about the past.”
“All that’s changed now,” he told her. “Anything you want to know, I’ll talk.”
“Brody,” she began.
“No. No matter what happens between us, we have to be friends, and I didn’t treat you like a friend back then.”
“It felt like friendship.”
“It was more but I was too stupid to see it. No more talk. Go and relax. We’ll get a good night’s sleep and things will look up in the morning. That’s what Mum used to say. I’m not calling her now because they could be monitoring us, but I hope you’ll let me send her pictures when this is over.”
“Of course.” She glanced at the bathroom. “If you’re okay taking care of him, maybe I could take a bath. It’s been a long time since I had access to a tub, much less one the size of a small pool. I wish I was married to Serena.”
He smiled at that. And got hot at the idea of her in that tub. “Go on then, luv. Take as long as you like. We’ll be fine out here.”
She leaned over and kissed Nate’s head then disappeared into the bathroom.
A sense of peace came over Brody, unlike anything he’d felt before. It was settled. He was a dad and now he knew he had work to do. Why had he avoided this all his life? This boy in his arms gave him purpose and meaning he hadn’t found before.
There was only one thing wrong now.
“Your mother thinks we’re going to be friends, but I’ve got a secret for you, son.” He gently pulled the bottle out of Nate’s mouth since his whole body had gone slack with sleep. “We’re going to be a family. She’s going to marry me, and I finally know what to do with my life. Make her happy. Some people, they have great callings. Like your mum. She’s a special person and I thought that meant she needed another special person to be with her. But I can see that was wrong. Two people with great callings have to focus on their callings, on their careers or work. But with me, well, she’ll be the reason I’m special and I’ll make sure she has everything she needs. What she needs is a dumb grunt who loves her so much he’s willing to give everything to her and their family. I promise you, Nathan. By the end of this, we’re all going to be together.”
Or he would die trying.
He thought briefly about putting the baby in his crib and trying to get a bit of work done, but it felt better to sit, to rock with his son in his arms.
For the first time in forever, he knew what peace meant.
Chapter Seven
Steph breathed in the warm air, steam rising from the tub as she lay back. The Dean-Miles clan knew how to take care of themselves and their guests.