WHEN RENA INSISTED on doing the dishes herself, Grant didn’t put up too much of a fight. She seemed to want her space, and he couldn’t blame her.
He sat in the family room, mulling over their earlier confrontation, searching for ways to justify his behavior. After seeing Rosie at the O’Briens’ and finding out that Rena didn’t know she was there, he’d felt he had to do something. And he’d been right, hadn’t he? How else could he ensure it wouldn’t happen again?
Grant pictured the way she’d reacted to his lecture this afternoon, drawing her shoulders inward, as if trying to fold herself up and disappear. Her usually rosy-cheeked face paled, making her eyes appear twice their normal size. She’d shrunk back, not because he’d scared her, but because he’d demeaned her.
He derived no satisfaction from that. Instead, shame burned his cheeks and swirled hot in his gut. He wasn’t a complete idiot. He knew all kids disobeyed their parents, that from time to time, they snuck away to romp with their friends. On the one hand, he was grateful that Rosie felt secure enough to separate from Rena; on the other, he wasn’t ready for his little girl to spread her wings. He’d believed Rena’s side of things, so why had he continued to lash out at her?
If he was honest, he’d needed to vent his fears and frustrations. What better target than the woman he trusted more than anyone in the world?
Then he remembered the way she’d stepped right up, hands on her hips as she gave every bit as good as she’d gotten. Hard as it had been to be the recipient of her fury, he’d never been more proud of her. Every word had been right on point, and he owed it to her to admit that sooner rather than later.
Grant toed off his shoes, left them beside the recliner and joined her in the kitchen. Rena had already finished the dishes—no surprise there, but a disappointment, because he’d hoped to renew his offer to help out.
Grant noticed right away that she’d changed out of the pretty dress and into black, calf-length leggings and a long white T-shirt. His T-shirt, unless he was mistaken. He must have dozed off for a minute, and that was why he hadn’t noticed her pass through the family room on her way upstairs.
“Sure doesn’t take you long to—”
Rena whirled around and flattened a hand to her chest. “Good grief, Grant, you scared me half to death!”
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.”
That was when he spotted the platter of cheese cubes on the cutting board, the knife in her right hand and a bright red trickle of blood trailing from the tip of her left forefinger to her wrist.
He went to her, took the hand in his and inspected the cut. “Did I make you do that?”
“I didn’t hear you come in.”
So he had caused it. Grant hadn’t thought it possible to feel any worse about himself. He’d been wrong.
He grabbed a paper towel and stood at the sink to dampen it. “Doesn’t look too deep,” he said, wrapping it around the wound, “but if it doesn’t stop bleeding in a few minutes, I’ll call Mom, get her to stay with Rosie while I take you to the ER for stitches.”
“It’s fine,” she said, and tried to withdraw from his grasp.
But Grant held on.
“Did I thank you for supper?”
“Sort of.”
“Sort of?”
She looked up, big eyes scanning his face. To see if he had a mind to continue what he’d started this afternoon? The notion cut through him just as surely as that knife had sliced her finger. He relieved her of the blade, placed it on the cutting board and popped a cheese cube into his mouth.
“You said everything was delicious. I took that as a sort of thank-you.”
“Everything was delicious.” He grabbed another chunk of cheese and held it near her mouth. Instead of turning her head, as he’d expected, Rena parted her lips and let him feed it to her.
“Seemed like your mom had a good time,” she said around the cheddar.
“She did.”
“Rosie, too.”
“That gift certificate was a great idea. Mom’s right. I never would have thought to get her something like that.”
“You put in a lot of hours at the office, and I’m here all day. Plenty of chances to chat with her. She happened to mention a few weeks ago that she hadn’t been to the Hippodrome since it was remodeled.”
“Hmm. That was a long time ago…”
Small talk. They both hated it, yet here they stood, doing just that. Again. They’d been communicating really well until he blew her out of the water for not being a mind reader. You’re a self-centered idiot, he told himself. Rena loved Rosie at least as much as he did…
He peeled back the blood-soaked paper towel. “Looks like the bleeding has stopped.”
“Good. I hate the ER.”
Chuckling, he let go of her hand. “I’ll get you a bandage. Think you can stand the sting of peroxide?”
“I’ll try and be brave.”
He tossed the towel into the trash can and made his way to the powder room, found the box of Hello Kitty bandages she’d stored in the medicine cabinet, along with the antibiotic ointment and peroxide. Carrying all three to the kitchen, he thought of the last thing she’d said before he left the room: “I’ll try and be brave.”
Rena was the bravest person he’d ever met. The way she’d soldiered through those awful days right after the kidnapping, while he wrung his hands and sang woe-is-me… Yeah, he had a lot to make up for, all right.
“Here y’go,” he said, depositing the first-aid supplies on the island. He pulled out a stool, patted its seat. “Take a load off, lady. I have work to do.”
A faint smile lit her eyes as she did what he asked. A sign that his earlier outburst hadn’t pushed her too far? A guy can hope…
He grabbed a dishtowel and draped it across her lap. “To catch the peroxide,” he explained, unscrewing the cap. Rena winced slightly as he dribbled the liquid over the cut. After drying it with a fresh paper towel and applying some ointment, he wrapped the bandage around her finger.
“There. Almost good as new.”
She looked up at him again, sending his heart into overdrive with her sweet, sad smile. He held her gaze, searching for proof in those beautiful, long-lashed eyes that they would get through this.
“Good job, Dr. VanMeter. Thank you.”
“I don’t work for free, you know.”
Brows high on her forehead, Rena blinked. “I’m unemployed. Will you accept monthly payments?”
He cupped her chin and said, “It won’t cost much.” Then, gripping her upper arms, he put her on her feet. “Just this.”
Still holding tight to her arms, he pulled her near and kissed her. And much to his amazement, she closed her eyes returned it. Rena went a little limp, but Grant was more than happy to steady her.
A blissful moment passed before she sighed and tipped her head back. “I should put that cheese away before it dries out.”
“Let it. We’ll buy more,” he said, and kissed her again.
“This window faces your mother’s house, don’t forget…”
Grant looked up, saw the light in his mom’s kitchen glowing bright into the darkness. “I think she’s seen people kiss before,” he said, combing her hair with his fingers. “Besides, we’re married. Nothing wrong with a husband showing a little affection to his wife.”
Rena let out a surprised little gasp and he picked her up, not bothering to turn off the light or check to see if the doors were locked as he carried her toward the stairs.
She didn’t fight it at all. Instead, Rena rested her head against his shoulder, stroking his cheek, his forehead, his hair.
While trying to make the turn on the landing, he grunted quietly.
“Guess I shouldn’t have had cake and mousse,” she said apologetically.
“You’re light as a feather. I just didn’t want to wake Rosie by banging your head against the wall.”
A whispery laugh escaped her lips. “Gee. Your care and concern is so touchi—”
He silenced her with yet another kiss, then eased her onto the bed. “Man, you’re gorgeous in this light.”
Grant didn’t know what to make of that look on her face, but it gave him a flicker of hope that she didn’t hate him for treating her so poorly for so long.
He lay down beside her and pulled her close.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “Today, earlier…” He pressed his lips to her temple, hoping to buy enough time to regain his composure. “I got scared, is all, and wasn’t thinking straight. There’s no excusing the way I spoke to you.”
“It’s okay, Grant. I get it.” She turned onto her side, lips touching his as she whispered, “Just don’t let it happen again.”
Her no-nonsense tone surprised him, but things were going too well between them to ask what she’d meant. Then Rena kissed him like she meant it, and Grant threw himself into the moment.
Suddenly, she stiffened and pushed away. “What’s that?”
He couldn’t hear anything over his own ragged breathing. “What?”
“It’s Rosie. I think…I think she’s crying!”
Rena was out of his arms and across the room before he could wrap his mind around her words. He followed her into the hall.
They found Rosie sitting up in bed, clutching Mr. Fuzzbottom to her chest.
“Aw, what’s wrong, sweetie?” Rena sat beside her, gently stroking bangs from her forehead. “Bad dream?”
“I hate her,” Rosie choked out.
Rena looked up at Grant, and in the dim glow of Rosie’s nightlight, he could see that she was worried. He was, too.
“I hate her and I’m glad she’s dead!” Rosie said, punching the mattress. “She took me away. Far, far away. We drove and drove. She lied to me, and when I cried because I thought you were dead, she said if you loved me, you wouldn’t have been driving so fast. But there wasn’t an accident. You were with me at the zoo.”
Her sobs subsided as Rena held her tight, rocking and chanting, “It’s all right. It’s okay.”
The very words she’d spoken to him last night. It didn’t surprise Grant that her soothing tone calmed their little girl. Rena had always had that touch with Rosie. And with him. All he had to do was think about those exquisite moments with her, and whatever had upset him, didn’t anymore.
Grant sat on Rosie’s other side, pressing kisses to her tear-streaked cheeks. “Your mom’s right, kiddo. You’re home now. You’ll always be safe here with us.”
Sniffling, Rosie nodded.
“What happened to your finger?” she asked Rena.
She met his eyes over Rosie’s head and, smiling, said, “Oh, I wanted some cheese and had a little dustup with a kitchen knife. It’s just a tiny cut.”
The girl grabbed Rena’s wrist, brought the hand to her lips and kissed the bandage. “You used to do that every time I got hurt. You did it when I got the splinter, and that’s when I remembered. And when I knew Barbara lied about that, too. You did love me, didn’t you?”
“Loved you then, love you now. I’ll love you my whole life.”
There were tears in her voice. And truth be told, Grant felt a little choked up, himself. Rosie had just experienced an important breakthrough. But was this the end of it, or just the tip of the iceberg?
“I don’t want to call her my other mother ever again. And I really am glad she’s dead.”
Rena took a deep breath and met his eyes again. Gently stroking Rosie’s hair, she said, “I’m sure that’s how you feel now, but Dad and I want you to know that if you ever change your mind, it’s okay. Barbara did some bad things, but—”
“Some very bad things,” Grant put in.
“—but she took pretty good care of you, made sure you had plenty to eat and a safe place to sleep. I’m grateful for that.”
Nodding again, Rosie exhaled a huge sigh. “I guess. Still…”
Too soon to ask questions? Grant wondered. He tried to remember what Danes had said about that, and when nothing materialized, he said, “She never hit you, did she?”
“No.”
“Never locked you in a closet or anything, right?”
“Right.”
“And she didn’t put rocks in your socks?”
That inspired a quiet giggle. “No.”
“Then, like Mom said, if you change your mind about hating her…”
“But, Dad.” She started to cry again. “I missed you guys, and it was all her fault that we couldn’t be together!”
He almost said not as much as we missed you, but stopped. He didn’t want to inadvertently make her feel guilty for the pain he and Rena had endured. Danes had cautioned them about that possibility, though Grant didn’t agree with much the doctor had to say, that was one warning he’d been careful to heed since they reunited with their little girl.
“I’m so glad you guys aren’t really dead.”
Rena plucked a tissue from the box on the nightstand. “We’re pretty happy about that, too.” After gently blotting her eyes, she held it to their daughter’s nose. “Blow,” she said, and Rosie did.
Such a simple gesture, yet one so maternal and tender that Grant’s heart thudded with love for her.
“Can I ask you a question, Mom?” She leaned into Rena’s side.
“Sure, honey. Anything.”
“Were you really friends with her in college?”
“No, sweetie. I’d never even heard of her until a few days before we brought you home.”
“Hmpf. So she lied about that, too.” She punched the mattress again. “I thought only kids told big fat lies.”
“Grown-ups tell them sometimes,” Grant said. He caught Rena’s gaze. “And sometimes, they say really stupid things, too. Things they don’t mean. Things that hurt the people they love more than anything in the world.”
Rosie looked up at him. “But not you. Or Mom. Right?”
“Oh, yeah,” Grant replied. “Even us.”
“But only once in a while,” Rena said, “and only when we’re under a lot of stress.”
Rosie’s brow furrowed as she thought about that. “What kind of stress?”
Rena bit her lower lip, and Grant jumped in with, “The kind that happens when you’re scared, or mad, or confused. Sometimes it makes you do or say things without thinking first.”
“Oh.” She hugged the bear a little tighter. “Are you mad at Mom?”
“No, sweetie.” Grant reached past her and grasped Rena’s hand. “I’m not mad at Mom.” He gave her hand a little squeeze. “She might be mad at me, though.”
“Really?” Rosie faced Rena. “What did he do?”
Rena’s quiet laugh was as soothing as soft rain on the roof. Grant held his breath, wondering what amazing insight she’d share with their girl.
“He didn’t turn off the kitchen light. Didn’t lock the back door, either.”
Eyes on Grant again, Rosie said, “Well?” She made a shooing motion with her free hand. “Hop to it, mister!”
“Women. You all stick together, don’t you?” he teased.
On his way to the bedroom door, Grant felt relief flood through him. Rosie might have a ways to go yet, and certainly had more to reveal about her life in Chicago, but she’d be okay. She’ll really be okay!
And Rena… He visualized the way her face had flushed earlier, the way she’d melted into his arms…
Grinning like a happy fool, he turned and clapped once. “So! Who’s in the mood for popcorn and hot chocolate?”