“But, Trevor…”
“I mean it, Mom. Jamie and I aren’t a couple. I don’t want you getting carried away.”
“But I’m sure Melanie would have wanted you to—”
“And don’t bring Melanie into this!” Roused by Trevor’s sharp tone, Abbie stirred and fretted. He already regretted his outburst—for the baby’s sake, and for his mother’s. Rocking Abbie back to sleep, he spoke more quietly. “I’m sorry, Mom.”
She didn’t look offended. In fact, he thought he saw sympathetic understanding in her eyes. “Someday,” she said, “when you’re ready, you’ll talk to me about what happened between you and Melanie. In the meantime, just know that I’m here, all right? I won’t pry into your business, I won’t interfere between you and Jamie, and I’ll gladly watch the children for you whenever you need me to. I only want you to be happy again, Trevor.”
Feeling somewhat akin to a slug now, Trevor managed a faint apologetic smile. “I know. It’s all you’ve ever wanted for any of us.”
She nodded, then glanced at the clock on the stove. “It’s getting very late.”
“You must be tired. Why don’t you turn in? I’ll take Abbie home and put her to bed, then I’ll come back tomorrow to get Sam.”
“There’s no need for you to do that. Abbie’s crib is already set up in your old bedroom, and I just put fresh sheets on the bed this morning. Sam and Clay are sound asleep in Trent’s room, and your father is snoring away in ours. You might as well sleep over and have breakfast with us in the morning.”
“I—”
“It’s settled, then.” Bobbie stood. “I have a couple of new toothbrushes around here somewhere. I’ll put one in your bathroom. There’s still a bathrobe hanging in your closet, and an extra…”
“I know where everything is, Mom. But I—”
“Don’t argue. It isn’t as if you have any reason to go home.”
He knew she hadn’t meant it the way it had sounded, but her words left him feeling hollow, anyway. His mother was right, he thought as he changed Abbie’s diaper and tucked her into her crib a few minutes later. There really wasn’t any reason for him to go home.
JAMIE HAD JUST HUNG UP her phone late Wednesday morning when it rang again. Still thinking about the last call, she raised the receiver to her ear and said a bit absently, “Hello?”
“Hi.”
The single syllable was enough to claim her full attention. “Hi, Trev. How’s Abbie?”
“Much better, thanks. She felt pretty lousy all weekend, but by yesterday she was completely back to normal.”
“I’m happy to hear that.”
“Have you had lunch yet?”
“No.” She glanced at her watch, noting that it was almost noon.
“I’ve got an hour and a half before my next appointment. How about if I pick up some takeout and bring it to your place?”
“Is this another impulsive action?” she asked, delighted.
“I guess you’re corrupting me.”
She laughed softly. “I haven’t even gotten started.”
“Should I take that as a threat—or a promise?”
“Whichever you like.”
“I’ll see you in fifteen minutes.”
Jamie hung up the phone again, then jumped to her feet. Maybe she should put on a little makeup or something, she thought, hurrying toward the bedroom.
It was almost exactly fifteen minutes later when Trevor rang the doorbell. She threw the door open with a smile. “Hi.”