Chapter 13
“Now remember what the doctor said, pal, you need to take it easy for a few more days.” Jack repeated the doctor’s instructions to Jonathan as he carried him in the back door of Callie’s house. He’d been released from the hospital after a week there. “No running around and you need to take a nice long nap this afternoon.”
Jonathan tightened his arms around Jack’s neck. Holding his son like this would never get old. Luckily he’d been able to spend a good deal of time in the hospital with him. Victor had claimed he wasn’t good with sick people and had promised to check on the boy once he was home and feeling more himself. They had a small reprieve.
“Nap a me, Dahddy?”
His son’s words melted his heart, fusing some of the chipped pieces back together. Would it ever be whole again? Tightening his grip, he kissed his son’s face.
“I can lay down with you until you fall asleep, sure. As long as it’s good with your mom.”
He glanced at Callie whose face showed annoyance. Yeah, he hadn’t given her any say in the matter. If she said no, she’d look like the bad guy. Maybe that hadn’t been fair.
Throwing her an apologetic look, he gave her his most charming smile. She simply turned away and started fussing with the bag from the hospital. The last few days she’d been exceptionally quiet. Being upset about Jonathan’s hospitalization was understandable. Had his presence been accepted there by her simply because Jonathan kept asking for him to stay? At first she’d seemed happy enough to have his comfort. He’d needed hers too.
As the time passed she became more distant. Today she kept avoiding his eyes altogether. What the heck was going on in her mind? Scott and Heather were here though, so he wasn’t sure she’d say anything if he asked.
“I made a nice beef stew,” Heather announced as Scott grabbed bowls from the cabinet and set them on the table. “Jonathan needs something better than hospital food in his belly if he’s going to get back to himself again.”
Jack set his son on the booster seat and settled into the chair next to him. “Do you need any help, Heather?”
Scott waved him away, putting spoons on the table. “We’ve got it. You and Callie sit and be waited on for a change. I don’t think either one of you got a full night’s sleep combined over the last week. You both look like a strong wind could knock you over.”
Scott and Heather had been in and out of the hospital all week and had taken turns bringing items from Callie’s house. They’d also made it a point to get the house neat and tidy for when she got back so she could concentrate on Jonathan and not housework. Now they were making sure there was food in the house so Callie didn’t need to shop or cook.
“Thanks for doing all this, Heather, Scott. Appreciate it.”
Heather placed some bread on the table and patted his shoulder. “We’re family. It’s what we do. Now eat before it gets cold.”
Scott leaned over Heather’s shoulder and smirked. “Yes, mother.”
Heaviness weighed inside Jack at the teasing banter. What he wouldn’t give to have this scene on a daily basis with Callie and Jonathan. He sighed and gritted his teeth.
Conversation flitted around the table, mostly between Scott and Heather. Callie was quiet and mainly talked to Jonathan, encouraging him to eat. Jack spent the time running ideas and scenarios through his head. Ways to get information and people to talk to who wouldn’t give him away but might be helpful. None of it seemed to gel though. He’d been out of the business too long. Either that or he was too exhausted to come up with anything good right now.
Jonathan was drooping by the time the meal ended and he volunteered to put him in bed for a nap. Callie didn’t object so he brought the child upstairs, made him use the bathroom then shuffled him off to his bed.
“Dahddy, you seep.” Jonathan patted the bed next to him and Jack remembered he’d promised to lie down with him.
His son gazed up at him adoringly, his expression expectant. God, he loved seeing that look in his child’s eyes. Did he deserve it? Not really. When would Jonathan start realizing his dad wasn’t around as much as he should be? That adoring look would change to one of disdain, possibly even contempt. How would he handle it then?
Jonathan scooted over and Jack slipped onto the bed next to him. The child snuggled into his arms and closed his eyes. His own eyes were heavy but he forced them to stay open so he could look at his child a little longer. The love in his heart was expanding and spilling over, spreading through every part of him. He was always amazed at how this happened every time he saw him. The love kept growing and growing.
Tightening his arms, he pressed a kiss to Jonathan’s temple. “I love you, pal. I don’t ever want you to forget that.”
Jonathan’s eyes fluttered open staring straight at him. “Luh you, Dahddy.” The eyes drifted closed again, his breathing evening out.
Gritting his teeth, he closed his eyes. He’d be blubbering in a minute if he didn’t pull himself together. Seeing Jonathan had that effect on him. God, he’d been reduced to a pathetic excuse for a man, far too emotional and sensitive.Toughen up or you’ll be no use to anyone.Not that he was now. Being exhausted didn’t help.
* * * *
Jack blinked awake. He must have dozed off. Jonathan was still asleep next to him, his thumb hanging out of his mouth. Moving his hand to check his watch, he tried not to disturb the child. It had been a half hour since he’d come up here. Not surprising with the lack of sleep this past week.
It felt good lying next to his son, relaxing. Maybe he’d stay here for a while. What would it hurt? Turning his head, he looked around the room. Callie stood in the doorway, her expression melancholy.
He smiled, hoping she’d smile back. It lit up a room when it was full force. It didn’t even make it on her face now. She cocked her head in the direction of the hall then left the room. Guess she wanted to talk. The discussion topic was what made him nervous.
Disentangling himself from his son, he placed a soft kiss on his forehead before he left. Callie waited for him near the door to her room. Her face was pinched and her body rigid. This couldn’t be good.
