Chapter 4
“Dah dee,” Jonathan squealed again and Jack got down on one knee to scoop the child into his arms. Too damned long since he’d done this. Held his son. He shouldn’t even be here today, but no way could he get through Jonathan’s birthday without holding and kissing his child.
“Happy Birthday, pal,” he whispered, not sure his voice would work with all the powerful emotion running through him. He blinked a few times, Jonathan’s arms around him causing his blood to pump faster, making him stronger. Anger rocketed through him when he thought about how little he’d held his son. Three times in two years was pitiful for a father to see his child. What other choice did he have though? Staying away was the best way to protect him.
Standing with the boy in his arms, he looked at the others in the room. Scott and Heather registered briefly, but honestly, Callie was the one who took all his attention. Still the prettiest thing he’d ever seen. How did she get more beautiful as the years passed? She wore a short, lavender-colored sundress that emphasized her tanned skin and long legs. Her dark curls were secured to the back of her head in deference to the hot September weather. Their eyes met. Was that regret flashing from them? Was it his constant absence or that he’d shown up? Anything dangerous and risky made her anxious and his coming here was definitely that. But every time she texted, e-mailed, or video chatted she took a risk.Thank God she did.No way he would have made it through the last two years if he hadn’t gotten constant updates on Jonathan.
“Hi, Calico.” He sent her the crooked grin that always made her blush. Sure enough, her cheeks turned pink and she lowered her eyes.
“Jack.” When she looked up, they held concern. “I wasn’t expecting you to be here. Scott said you were currently working in Pennsylvania.”
Shrugging, he kissed Jonathan again. “It’s the weekend and I didn’t mind the drive. I heard there might be cake.” This he addressed to the boy in his arms. “Did you have cake, pal?”
“Mmm, tate.” Jonathan nodded his head. “Want tate, Dah dee?”
“Maybe in a little while. First, you need to show me what you got for your birthday.” He knelt down allowing Jonathan to toddle over to his pile of toys. The boy squeezed the horn on the tricycle then giggled.God, I needed to hear that. Need to hear it more often.
Scott roused from his reclined position on the chair. “The tricycle is from your dad, Jonathan. I brought it over so you’d have it with all your other gifts. But your daddy was the one who got it for you.”
Jack threw an appreciative look at his cousin then glanced at Heather. “I take it you helped with the party. Thanks.”
Heather merely smiled back. “You know I’ll do anything I can to help Callie.” She didn’t engage in pleasantries or try and make small talk. Jack liked that about Heather. The woman was no-nonsense and told it like it was. Asking him how he was wouldn’t be something she’d do since she was aware of his situation. And that he hated the fact he couldn’t be with Callie and Jonathan.
“Dah dee, wide?” Jonathan looked up at him and he almost melted. His heart began to heal a tiny bit at the adoration pouring from his son’s eyes. As soon as he had to go away again, it would start chipping off into little pieces once more. Would it be too broken someday to be put together again? For now he’d get as much as possible out of every second he had with his son.
“You can have a ride, sure. Let’s get you up into the saddle, partner.” He helped Jonathan into the seat then positioned his hands and feet in the right place. “Keep your feet on the pedals as they move. Soon we’ll have you doing this all on your own.”
As he pushed the child around the room, Callie rose and tidied up the place. Heather helped and even Scott picked up a few things. Letting him have time with his son, alone. Selfish, yes, but when he only got to see his child once a year, he wanted every second to be about Jonathan. They understood that.
Scott entered the room again and gave Jonathan a kiss on the head. “I’ve got to go, birthday boy. Thanks for inviting me and letting me have some of your cake. It was delicious. Have fun with your dad.”
Jonathan lifted his hands and let Scott pick him up for a hug. The fire of jealousy burned through him. He hated that Scott was free to see Jonathan whenever he wanted whereas he was wandering the country to keep from being killed. Visiting just a few times in his son’s short lifetime.Not Scott’s fault. He’s doing you a favor by keeping an eye on your family. Didn’t make it any more palatable.
“See ya, cuz.” Jack rose to shake Scott’s hand. “Appreciate your putting the bike together and getting it over here while the party was still going on.”
Transferring the boy to Jack’s arms, Scott sidled up behind Heather who stood in the doorway of the kitchen talking to Callie. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her cheek. “Night, sweetheart, always lovely to see you.”
Heather snorted and shook her head then pushed playfully at him. Jack laughed at their silly, little pretense but wondered why neither of them had a real partner. Too much fun with the pretend one?
Callie moved closer and drew Scott into an embrace. “Thanks for coming by. Jonathan always loves to see you.”
Another kick in the gut assaulted him seeing how close his cousin was with Callie, knowing Scott got to see both her and Jonathan more often than he did. Callie stayed as far away from him as possible when he managed to get here. He couldn’t blame her though. He had nothing to offer either her or Jonathan.
“I’ll walk you out, lover boy,” Heather teased Scott then hugged Callie too. She turned around and touched Jack’s arm. “Take care, Jack, and be careful.”
“Thanks, I’ll try. And thank you for being here for Callie. I wish I could get here more often but…well…you know.”
“Yeah, life’s a bi—” she cleared her throat as she gazed at the young child. Forcing a smile, she then kissed Jonathan’s head which was now resting on Jack’s shoulder. “Night, sweetie. Thanks for having me at your birthday party.”
“You don’t have to go right away, Heather.” Callie sounded nervous. Of him? He hated the thought she didn’t trust him but it had been more than two years since they’d had any kind of relationship with each other. Even when they’d been together, the shadow of Angelo had always hung over them. Yeah, their relationship wasn’t what anyone could call normal.
“I’ll talk to you next week about the progress on the construction site,” Scott called to Jack as he and Heather left through the back door.
“You want to play some more?”
Jonathan now snuggled on his shoulder, arms around his neck. The boy’s arms tightened at the question.
“He didn’t have a nap today because of the party and it’s almost seven,” Callie explained. “He’s usually in bed asleep by seven-thirty. He’s got to be exhausted.”
