“Would you have married him if he had?”
Andrea didn’t have to think twice about her answer. “No.”
Ethan left his fork on the side of his plate. “There’s a reason Scotty could have behaved the way he did. If he’s anything like some children who grow up in a violent home, his brain might have rewired itself to cope with the trauma he saw. What was normal to him would be considered violent to anyone not living in the same environment.”
“Andy and Charlie—”
“Aren’t your ex-husband,” Ethan reassured her. “We’re doing everything we can to help them see the world differently. Many people who live through family violence don’t repeat the same behavior, especially if they receive the level of care Andy and Charlie are getting.”
Andrea didn’t want to think what their lives would be like if she hadn’t found Sapphire Bay.
“You don’t have to read the entire report now,” David said gently. “There’s no hurry.”
Andrea pushed her phone away. “Leaving it for a few hours might be a good idea. I’ll call my lawyer tomorrow and let her know Scotty’s here. After that, I’ll talk to the boys and see what they want to do.” She saw the concern in David’s eyes and squeezed his hand. “Don’t worry. We’ll be okay.”
“What if I work from the café for the next few days?”
“I appreciate you wanting to protect me and the boys, but there isn’t enough room for everyone. Besides, Scotty would be crazy to confront me at work.”
Ethan refilled David’s coffee cup. “Andrea’s right.”
David started to say something, then must have changed his mind.
She looked at both men before picking up her spoon. “I have a busy week ahead of me. Kylie’s baby shower is next Sunday. I promised I’d bake some muffins and cookies for her family and friends.”
“It sounds like fun.”
Andrea laughed at the forced enthusiasm in David’s voice. “It’s a surprise. Paris and Jackie are in charge of the decorations and games, and Diana’s coordinating all the guests’ arrivals.”
“Our house will be bursting at the seams with extra people,” Ethan said happily. “Ben said Charlotte can’t wait to see her little sister.”
“Mom?” Charlie walked into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes. When he saw David and Ethan his eyes widened. “Are you having breakfast with us?”
David looked at his half-eaten omelet. “We sure are. Your mom’s a great cook.”
“You should try her blueberry pancakes. They’re the best.”
Andrea gave Charlie a hug. “Why don’t you get dressed? While you’re gone, I’ll make some of my world-famous pancakes.”
A smile lit his face. “Yum! Wait till I tell Andy. They’re his favorite, too.” With the enthusiasm of a normal ten-year-old, he raced out of the kitchen.
Ethan finished the last piece of his omelet and smiled.
Andrea sighed. “Okay. You can have some pancakes, too. But only because you looked after us last night. Thank you.”
David cleared his throat. “Does your thanks include me?”
She looked into his eyes and knew it always would. “It does. Would you like two or three pancakes?”
“As many as you’re willing to give me,” he said softly.
Andrea ignored the blush on her cheeks.
Thankfully, Ethan didn’t seem to notice, either. “If you have the time, could you show me how to make pancakes, Andrea?”
“You’re really trying to impress your wife,” David joked.
“Always.”
