Somebody to Love(91)

“And Althea’s, let’s not forget. You guys have a good visit, by the way?”

“We really did. It was different. Nice.”

“Glad to hear it. See you in the morning.”

As Parker washed up, she could hear Ethan talking to Lucy. She went into Nicky’s room, and the sight of his little form there in bed filled her with such a rush of love that her knees went weak. Beauty was snuggled at his side, her muzzle on his hip. “Good girl, Beauty,” Parker whispered. She wondered if Beauty sensed that Nicky was hers. The dog hadn’t let Ethan near her, slinking behind something when he approached. But she already loved Nick, thank goodness.

Three weeks was too long. She made a mental note never to be away from her son that long again until he was, oh, maybe forty-five or so.

Nice that he’d be a big brother. She’d known it would come, that announcement, and the familiar pang of envy bounced around in her heart with her genuine happiness.

She lay down next to her little guy, stroked his silky hair. The band of worry and loneliness that had been tight around her heart loosened as she listened to his breathing. He was back with her, and all was right with the world.

Even so, she wondered how James was doing tonight. He’d seemed pretty chipper when he left, his duffel bag in hand. Hadn’t seemed melancholy at all, whereas she…well. This was a dopey train of thought to pursue.

She got under the covers and snuggled closer. Nicky didn’t stir. The kid could sleep through a monsoon and not wake up; had in fact slept through a pretty fair hurricane last year and then had been quite confused as to why so many leaves and branches were on the ground the next morning. She kissed his neck, breathing in the smell of baby shampoo and boy.

They were back together, mother and child. She shouldn’t want more.

* * *

THE NEXT MORNING, Ethan made breakfast as Nicky explained how many tricks he was going to teach Beauty. “She could jump through my hula hoop. She could catch mice for Apollo. She could jump off the diving board! She can swim with me in the pool all winter long!”

Ethan and Parker exchanged a look. “Well, we won’t be living in a house with a pool anymore, remember, honey?” Parker said.

Nicky’s face fell. “Oh. Yeah.” He looked around the kitchen. “Is this our house now?”

“Nope. This is just for a couple weeks. A little vacation. Then we’ll go back to Rhode Island and live near Daddy and Lucy.”

“We’ll move in with you, Daddy,” Nicky said as Ethan put a plate of scrambled eggs and toast in front of him.

Parker gave Ethan a look that said, Help me out here, pal. He got the message. “You and Mommy are going to have your own house, and you’ll spend half the time there, and half the time with me. Just like always, Nick.”

“I want to live with Beauty all the time.”

“Well, Beauty can meet Fat Mikey, and maybe they’ll be friends.” Ethan grinned at Parker; the enormous cat would be more apt to eat Beauty than befriend her, but there was always hope.

“They will be,” Nicky pronounced. “They’ll be best friends. Except Beauty’s scared of you, Daddy. You have to be nicer to her.”

At that moment, a knock came on the door, and Parker’s heart seemed to roll over in her chest. “Come on in,” she called.

“Morning,” James said as he came down the hall.

At the sound of his voice, Beauty left Nicky’s side and streaked over to him, wagging her tail and whining happily, putting her paws against his leg, the better to get an ear scratch.

“Hey, Beauty.” James knelt to pet the waggly little dog, then stood up. “Ethan. Good to see you again.” The men shook hands. “How was your trip?”

“It was great, thanks for asking. How are you?”

“No complaints.” James’s gaze dropped to Nicky. “Hi.”

Nicky stared back solemnly.

“Honey, you remember James, right?” Parker asked. “Mr. Cahill? Grandpa’s friend?”

“Yes,” Nicky said suspiciously. “I remember.”

“Can you also remember your manners?” she prodded.

“Hi, Mr. Cahill.”

“Did you have fun on your vacation?” James asked, rather solemnly.

Nick nodded.

Not his usual chatty self. Of course. Maybe her son sensed something. Ethan did, apparently, as he was gazing steadily at Parker.

James cleared his throat. “Well, I figured I’d get to work on the stairs to the dock.”

“Oh, okay. Um, would you like some coffee?” She was abruptly aware of the little tableau she, Nicky and Ethan made.

“No, thanks. I got some at the diner.”

“Want some help, James?” Ethan asked.

James glanced at Parker. “No, no, that’s fine. But thank you.”

“Parker says you’ve been great,” Ethan added as Nick climbed into his lap. He dropped a kiss on Nicky’s head.

“Yes. You’ve really been…um, great,” she blurted. Lordy, this was uncomfortable.

“Well. My pleasure.” He paused. “I can come back later, if that would be better.”

“No, no. It’s fine. Whenever you want, James,” she said.

“Do you have a nail gun?” Nicky asked.