Parker growled again and set the dowel he was working on aside. “We couldbuya cradle. This hurts.”
“Buy it, then. Take no pride in your work and throw your dollars at everything, including your child. Show us all what kind of man you are.”
I was pretty sure Parker didn’t expect Dad to get to his feet and leave him there on the floor while we all stared at him. Parker gaped, but no actual words came out until he got to his feet himself. “There’s nothing wrong with buying things. I need to leave.”
I sighed and stood as well. “Go, then.”
He hesitated, his pride obviously getting in the way of his storming off, but he only managed a few seconds more. I could have been mistaken, but I swore I saw regret on his face. I gave him a few minutes to find a hiding place before I went in search of Dad and found him in the backyard, perched on a pool lounge chair.
“I don’t understand him, peanut. Isn’t he excited to be able to make something for his baby? Time is love. Babies deserve to sleep surrounded by that.”
I slipped my hand into his and leaned against his arm. “Parker isn’t like you. I don’t think he’s struggled financially a day in his life. His parents didn’t do things with him the way you did with me. He missed out on a lot, and he doesn’t understand because he’s never known. When do you think was the last time someone in his family hand made a cradle or knit a baby blanket? Not every family loves the way ours does.”
“You want me to give him a chance?”
I shrugged. “That’s not for me to decide. I would never expect you to do something if Parker isn’t willing to do the same.”
“He doesn’t deserve you.”
“Do you thinkanyonedoes?”
“No,” Dad said with a smile. “Those other boys are making me optimistic that could change, though.”
I sat with him until Poppy and Pappa decided it was time for a lunch break.
Parker didn’t join us. He skipped the afternoon work session and dinner too. If he was trying to make a terrible impression on my dads, he was certainly succeeding. All the goodwill he’d garnered with his “surprise” visit had melted away.
Too restless to sleep after we stopped work for the day, I stayed up watching TV in one of the living rooms, Logan, Avery, and Hunter slowly dropping off around me. I got to my feet silently, determined not to let Parker off the hook.
I crept up the stairs, but before I could turn toward his bedroom, I noticed a dim light coming from beneath the nursery door. Peeking in as quietly as I could, I found Parker sitting on the floor with the dowels from earlier, growling softly.
“Everything okay?” I asked gently.
Parker jolted, looking up from his work. “You scared me.”
I slipped inside the room, padding over to him and sinking to my knees. “What are you doing?”
He sighed, offering up the sanded wood for my inspection, his cheeks visibly flushed even in the low light. Each dowel was smooth and perfect. “I don’t know what the next step is.”
“I thought you wanted to buy something?”
“I—I thought so too, but I’ve been thinking about it all day because I didn’t understand what your father wanted. I don’t like not understanding.”
“So I’ve noticed.” I offered him a gentle smile, giving him a chance to turn things around. “Did you figure it out?”
“Maybe. It’s about effort, right? I got so used to money being the way my family showed love that I didn’t consider alternatives. My birthday cakes were from award-winning bakeries, not made by my mom. I didn’t go hiking or fishing orplay catch with my dads. I haven’t had a handmade gift in my entire life, but I had a sports car at sixteen, free use of a yacht at eighteen, trips on every school break.”
“Do you wish it had been different?” I tipped my head, examining him, and when he reached to pull me closer, I let him. His musk rose scent was gentle in the late hours, his touch warm on my waist.
“I always wanted more of their time growing up. Is that close enough to the same?”
“Close as we can get, I suppose,” I agreed and laid my head on his shoulder.
“My own nursery was done by an interior designer, same for Magnolia’s. I should’ve let you handle it from the start, but I thought I was helping. I still don’t think there’s anything wrong with buying things, but I can see how it could be considered thoughtless, even when thereisthought behind it.” Parker brushed his nose against my temple. “I’m sorry. I’ll apologize to your family in the morning as well.”
“Thank you,” I said, turning to kiss his cheek.
“Do you know how to finish this thing?”
