“Where he drinks the soda, the wholebigsoda, and then heburps,” Mae squeaked, hopping up and down in place with glee.
“Well, we don’t want to miss that,” Hailey said, tearing her eyes from Ransom’s and smiling at the kids. “Lead the way, guys.”
Mae tugged on Ransom’s hand, and he let himself be led back to the living room.
His heart was thundering from almost kissing Hailey, but as he watched her laughing with the kids, he felt a fresh joy rising in his chest.
The best things are worth waiting for,he thought to himself.
9
HAILEY
Hailey headed for the living room, her heart still pounding from the moment she had just shared with Ransom.
Thank goodness for these children,she thought to herself as Travis found a spot on one side of the sofa for her.
She sat and was surprised and touched when Mae tucked herself right in beside her and leaned on her shoulder.
“This is the best part,” the little girl whispered.
Hailey couldn’t help smiling.
Ransom was seated now too, on the other side of the sofa. With Travis and Mae sandwiched between them, it was awfully cozy. The kids were already giggling at the movie and they hadn’t gotten to the burping part yet.
Is this what it would be like to be part of this family?
When the news reached her years ago that Ransom was married, Hailey had spent a lot of time wondering about the woman he had chosen. She imagined thatCassie must be beautiful, smart, and generally just kinder and better than herself. After all, he had dumped Hailey, telling her he wasn’t ready to be serious, and then he’d gone off and pretty much married the next woman he dated.
But tonight, for the first time, as she soaked in the warmth and happiness of the family Cassie had left behind, Hailey thought to herself that maybe Ransom’s ex wasn’t as smart or wonderful as she had previously imagined.
After all, how could anyone with any sense walk away from this?
By the timethe movie was finished, Mae had wiggled halfway onto Hailey’s lap and fallen fast asleep.
When the credits began to roll, Hailey found herself wishing it wasn’t over. Something about holding the sweet little girl made her heart ache with longing and felt so right at the same time.
How am I supposed to remember that this isn’t mine? These are not my children, and Ransom isn’t here to love me.
Travis and Ransom hopped off the sofa and bundled up, whispering quietly about their plans for the weekend. Then Ransom came over and gently lifted Mae from Hailey’s lap.
“Hey, sweetheart,” he whispered into his daughter’s hair. “It’s time for us to go home and get some real sleep.”
“No,”Mae murmured, but she didn’t open her eyes.
“This was really nice,” Hailey told Ransom softly as they all headed to the front door together.
“Want me to stay until you close up, and walk you back to the cottage?” he asked.
“No, no,” she told him. “I still need to take care of a few things here before I go back.”
Ransom paused in the threshold.
Travis had already gone out onto the porch, where he was gazing up at the stars that twinkled against the deep blanket of the sky.
Hailey looked up at Ransom. He had that expression in his dark eyes again, like he wanted to hold her and kiss her.
It was a dangerous look, and Hailey knew it.
