CHAPTER SIXTEEN

 

“WE NEVER had pets growing up. I’d have turned out differently, I think.”

Myah shrugged as an afterthought to her comment, and meandered to a picnic table to absorb the serenity brought on by the small park. They’d crossed the street from the retro ice cream parlor so Dylan and Jolie could have their uninhibited fun. He gave that pup a run for her money in the energy department. Who could have known he’d behave like a normal toddler when with a canine?

Myah sat on the table’s bench and laughed at the scene. “Jolie’s good with kids.”

Keir slung a leg over the seat, dropped his keys and Jolie’s leash, then spooned his vanilla ice cream. “She’s had one around her every day of her life. She’s used to them. Plus, that breed’s known to be kid-friendly.”

Since they had plans for the next day, they hadn’t spend much time at Keir’s. They’d climbed into their respective vehicles and made their way to the popular, crowded shop. She glanced at the line up across the street as Keir rested his head in his palm and scratched at the worn tabletop with his other hand.

“Tell me about Myah.”

“Like?”

“Anything. Yesterday we covered favorite colors and pastimes. Work—”

“Music.”

“Music—you know I’m right, by the way. Brother and sister count. But what was it like growing up for you?”

“Where to begin.” Myah slid one leg through the bench to copy his pose. She stalled with a groaned exhale before he gave her a “nice try” look. “I’m a preacher’s kid.”

At his “so sorry for you” leer, she smiled back ruefully.

“Yeah. Live with that. Ingrid is eight years older. She followed her husband out here for his job, and went into nursing. I moved here for college, only did two years in introductory business before I started at DRU-Med in the call center. I became an account reconciler three years later. I’d say another five before I look for something else.

“Anyway, when I got pregnant, Ingrid took care of me. Mother, sister, nurse, friend, you name it. I hated to tell my parents.” Dad hadn’t wanted anyone to know. She only hoped his request to see his youngest grandchild meant he’d outgrown his shame.

Myah met Keir’s eyes. She knew he heard more in her silence than her speech.

“That bad?” he asked.

“They were pretty angry. They didn’t go through the rage-to-acceptance phase. Nothing. Never offered a place to stay while I tried to work out my life. In fact they told me not to come home.”

She couldn’t look at Keir. Maybe she just told him that if her own parents couldn’t love her, and Dylan’s father couldn’t love her, then he’d made the wrong choice by being here. At least she had a heavenly father who didn’t write her or her spiritual life off.

Myah studied her clear polished nails, then stared out to the most wonderful thing, yet greatest hardship in her life. Dylan flung himself on the earth, a squeal of delight carried across the entire park as Jolie prodded him to get up.

“Mom and Dad visited my sister a few times. I made myself scarce whenever they were in town.”

“For three years?”

She shivered to shed the memory of abandonment. “It’s not like they called. My brother initiated contact a few months after my exile, and to his credit, he didn’t mention Mom and Dad once. I hadn’t talked to them the entire time. Still don’t want to, but Dylan’s birthday is coming up and they asked to see him. That’s why I took him home the other week. If they can love him and he can love them, I want that.”

“Big step. That’s good.”

She poked at her banana split with the plastic spoon. “Neither of them apologized for any hurt. I’d said it enough when this whole bad vibe started between us. But Dylan’s still young. He’s heard his cousins talk about grandma and grandpa. Now he can say it, too. I don’t want him to grow up as an outcast, his father’s done too good a job of doing that.” She laughed without humor.

Keir’s fingers made idle designs on the wood. “What about you? They don’t ask about you?”

“Naw. They’d given up on me. Maybe they think they have a second chance with Dylan, that they can mold him right. Not like his mama.”

“Don’t say that. Everybody makes mistakes. Most over and over. One of yours is more noticeable, that’s all.”

Myah followed the trace of his finger, drawn to his words and intimate tone.

“I think you’re beautiful.”

Her heart stopped.

“The way you look, the way you act, the way you raise your son and your hopes for him for the future.” His finger moved forward to tap her wrist. “If they can’t see what an amazing person they raised, they’re the ones who made the worst mistake. But after all this time, maybe they’re afraid to start over. They took the back door at least. They reached out.”

She’d never thought of that. They had reached out. The constant questions about Dylan, their incessant request that she go home so they could see him. Maybe it wasn’t all about their grandchild. They were parents. Were they afraid she’d keep herself and Dylan away from them for good? “I think they started. Yeah.”

She looked from their hands into the deep chocolate of his eyes that smiled at her with appreciation and something much more. It had been a while since she’d seen eyes like that. He’d called her actions and her point of view beautiful.

“Thanks,” was all she could manage before she concentrated on a splinter in the tabletop. The single finger in a gentle stroke on her skin gave her goose bumps.

“Myah, you’re so forgiving.”

“Me? You’re the one without a resentful bone in your body.”

“Life’s too precious to carry hurt and grudges.” His hand stilled. “Regret and delays.”

She glanced up to see regret shadow him, his face forlorn as though he relived a happier time. She ran a hand over his arm and squeezed. They shared an unhappy smile, then looked over to enjoy the simple experience of a boy and a puppy.

Keir didn’t live with regret. Good to know, but that’s how she got Dylan. Don’t live to regret this moment, don’t delay. Carpe diem and such. Surely she would regret this; spending every waking moment of her weekend spent with an absorbing man while house chores and a regular routine were ignored.

Ridiculous behavior.

They were too opposite. Keir didn’t have to live down the stigma of not pleasing his parents. From the sounds of it, they’d been proud as they watched him reach independence.

She had murky waters to wade through, and it’d been muddied by situations like this. The need to feel special and loved, to please a man. He’d called her beautiful and listened to her problems. Fall hard and fast, Myah. That’s what you do.

A tiny portion of ice cream came into view as Keir held it for her to sample. Waking out of her daze, she appreciated the lighter mood. She leaned forward, but he dodged the spoon away. Cheater. Myah grabbed for his hand but he tapped it down and held the spoon for her to lean in for it.

Once again it slipped out of reach. It moved so that she had to scoot forward on the bench to sample the flavor. She craned, but the spoon retreated. Myah shifted her wary gaze to playful eyes. The treat continued its detour.

She had to. If nothing else but to call his bluff. Myah moved in, following in hot pursuit as the spoon disappeared between fabulous lips. Soft, firm, sensual. Joke over, she shifted to move away. A hand instantly gripped her waist to pull her closer on the bench. Delicious lips continued a delicate move over hers, ice cream free, but cool and sweet.

Keir pulled away. Myah closed her eyes, her breath held, as soft lips kissed the tip of her nose and corner of her mouth. She loved the sensations of his touch and bid. He held himself over her lips as if in no hurry to move on from that point. Dare she let him? Regret and delays, he had said. He had none. But she needed to think about her own, for if one silly ice cream trick toppled her defenses, what if she gave him more? Her eyes sprang open. Myah shifted back and looked around.

“Sorry. Not here.”

“What’s wrong? Dylan saw us this close on the couch.”

“We weren’t kissing on the couch.” Heat flooded her face at both her words and the fact that she’d allowed Dylan to witness her so intimate with a stranger, kissing or not. “Besides, we’re in public.”

Keir’s thumb caressed the side of her neck. “I get that.” His hand cupped her nape as he leaned to her ear. “Just know I’m not going anywhere, Myah. I enjoy being around you and Dylan. No plans to change that.”

Her aching heart fluttered at what it needed to hear, and released her reserve. In question and curiosity, she slid her face along his and found his lips. He didn’t respond at first, then switched to lead them with a motion so light and patient, the universe stopped. Yep, there had never been a time like this, engulfed in what dreams were made of. To feel vulnerable so quickly. To fall for someone so instantly and so strong.

She pulled back, mortified, and scanned for onlookers. No way would physical attraction drug her again. “I don’t—I’m—sorry. I’m uncomfortable doing this.”

“Okay,” he said.

Her breath stuttered as his lips parted in that shy, sexy, bewildered half smile.

“We’re okay. Don’t worry. We won’t do anything you’re not comfortable with.”

Greg. Two minutes ago she’d told herself not to seize the day, not to get trapped in feelings over common sense, now this guy recited lines of age-old seduction. She ran a detailed study down his striking features. A man this incredible didn’t go out with women like her.

“I like you, Keir. But I have to be careful of who I let in my life.”

Confused withdrawal dimmed his eyes.

She smiled tight. “I love how you are with Dylan.”

“But,” he prompted.

“But, not where it concerns him. I just need you to know I’m not looking for another baby. I’ve met guys who thought that because I have him I’m more anxious to jump in the sack. Me, my girlfriends with kids, guys think we’re easy or on the hunt for a potential father. I know a couple of them ended up pregnant again. That won’t be me.”

Hesitant flinches ticked his face. His feelings were hurt, but she could risk it if it meant she’d avoid danger. They’d obviously strayed beyond a one-time infatuation or casual friendship.

Friendship. How had she ever entertained that idea?

She ran her fingers on her lips and down her neck where her fiery imagination held the heat from his touch. His still form’s watchful gaze followed her movement before flicking back to her face.

She dropped her hand. “I think it’s better to air out expectations now before emotions get tangled up in the physical.”

Keir looked out over the park. When his sideways gaze fixed in her direction she couldn’t read it. Gone was the glimmer of his smile. “I understand.”

“I hope so. I don’t want us to have any questions.”

He shifted back on the bench, then rubbed his palms on his jeaned thighs. “You think I’d go after a woman with a baby to sleep with her?”

Well, when you put it…

“I didn’t start that second kiss, by the way.”

“I know, I know.” Myah fortified herself with a deep breath. “Look, more than a few men thought I’d be starved for sexual closeness. It’s crude, but that’s my reality. You and I, we’ve been…you know.” Hot and heavy for each other. “Both of us need to set ground rules before we go further. Get some God-perspective. Pray about—”

“You think I’m that person?”

“Look at you. I like myself just fine, but you’re gorgeous and kind and incredible, who has people like Amy throw themselves at you all the time. What’s to stop you from being with her? I’m sure there are some wonderful women at your church who are interested.”

“Maybe it had something to do with a personal trait I saw in you that I’m not so sure about any more.” He scowled and stood. “Geez. You don’t even give a guy a chance, Myah.”

Dumbstruck, she stared at his stiff back as he strode toward his truck.

“Jolie.” With two snaps of his fingers, the puppy leapt back and forth toward him and then Dylan, then scampered a frenzied streak to her master. Keir attached her leash, but when he straightened, his eyes were on Dylan. He hung his head. Shook it slowly.

Myah stood and turned away to reach for her keys as he spoke.

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep my promise to Dyl for tomorrow.”

“Byeeee,” called Dylan.

Myah closed her eyes and almost cried at the sweet voice. No malice. He only believed playtime had finished for today. When she moved her hand to help hold her heart in her chest, and opened her eyes, they met with Keir’s. His unreadable gaze slid to the ground, then back. He nodded once. With that, he was gone.