Chapter 16
Ty dried her favorite wooden salad bowl with a dishcloth as she watched Lucas and Memphis at the table. Lucas was going for round three of the same book. It was one he’d picked out himself at the library earlier that week, and already, Ty dreaded the day he would part with it.
It wasn’t unheard of for Lucas to fall in love with a book, but his passion for this one was a love-at-first-sight sort of thing.
The thought had Ty thinking of her fast-growing feelings for Memphis. Yesterday had been amazing! Hands down the best date she’d ever been on. It had broken her heart that Lucas had to miss out on the river trip, but she’d known he and Margo would have a blast together. Margo was like the fun aunt that didn’t say no unless the activity was dangerous.
That knowledge had allowed Ty to relax and enjoy some one-on-one time with Memphis…a sigh slipped from her lips.
Ty was getting to know Memphis. And so far, he was more than she’d ever hoped to find. He was what she’d call arealman. Honest, decent, respectful, and good. If his qualities ended there, Ty would admire him very much, but she wouldn’t be drawn to him the way she was now. Because he was also fun-loving and playful, intriguing and bright. He was strong too, physicallyandemotionally, losing his parents as he had. Learning to move on without them.
He was patient with Lucas, too. It was easy enough for Ty to recognize the telltale signs of boredom, irritation, or even a short temper when someone sat down with her son. But as she watched Memphis interact with him, Ty sensed a genuine, almost childlike interest, as if spending time together awakened the kid in him.
Earlier today, while he helped Lucas set the table, she heard Memphis give him a few tips for the playground. Lucas had griped about a situation he had yet to tell Ty about. A situation that might seem small to some, but Ty knew that a child’s scope was very different. That those moments on the playground, the judgment of fellow peers, were impactful.
As she overheard the advice Memphis gave him—sound and solid advice—she’d paused to lift a prayer to the heavens, as grateful as she was in that moment. These were the things that mattered. And somehow, Memphis knew that.
She couldn’t help but think that had something to do with who Memphis was even as a child. She doubted someone like Maverick could offer the same thoughtful advice; he’d seen things from an entirely different lens as a kid. But Memphis—he was sensitive to hurts and insecurities, and that—combined with his incredible strength—made him all the more attractive to her.
Lucas let out a squeaky yawn, pulling Ty from her musings in a blink.
“I’m getting sleepy,” he admitted.
Ty set the bowl in the cupboard and hung the dishtowel on the rack. “Why don’t you head into the bathroom and brush your teeth. You’ve got a full day of school tomorrow.”
Lucas set those big green eyes on Ty and wiped the hair off his forehead. “Can Memphis tell me the tube popping story one more time while I brush?”
Ty aimed a questioning look at Memphis.
“You bet I can. If it’s okay with your mom.”
The three of them headed down the hall. Ty flicked on the bathroom light while Lucas barreled inside and dumped a glop of toothpaste on his brush. While standing beside Ty in the doorway, Memphis retold yesterday’stale of the tube-popping adventure.
“Someone must have waved a magic wand,” Memphis exclaimed, “because suddenly, her tube just…disappeared!”
“Poof!” Lucas bellowed, white foam clinging to his small lips. He brushed harder as the story continued, and Ty silently moved in to instruct him to make circular motions, so as not to damage his gums; it was tough for him to remember.
After some swishing and nighttime hugs, Lucas was off to tuckhimselfin bed, something he’d declared he was capable of a few weeks back.
“Wow,” Memphis said with a head shake as they headed into the dimly lit front room. “That kid is incredible.” He sank onto the corner of the couch and, since he’d removed his shoes earlier, stretched his legs across the length of it. He patted his lap, indicating where Ty should sit to join him.
In truth, she was still stuck on what Memphis had said. She’d expected something like,wow, single parenting must be a real kick in the groin.Or,wow, I’ve got to hand it to you, this parenting gig is not for the faint of heart.Instead, he’d told her something she felt very deeply in her own heart. Something she wished very badly that Eric, his own father, would discover one day.
Memphis patted his lap again, reminding her that he was waiting.
“You think that just because I sat on your lap yesterday, that’s my new designated spot?” She narrowed her eyes at him.
He held her gaze, probably trying to decide whether she was serious or not. “Only if you want it to be. I could make room for you like this if you’d like.” He dropped his legs so his feet were on the floor, but stayed in the corner spot. Now he patted the cushion next to him.
Ty climbed onto the center cushion and sat so she faced him, legs folded crisscross before her. When her gaze met his face, she saw that Memphis was smiling at her pose on the couch.
“Are you going to teach me to meditate?” He put his hands out and hummed.
Ty grabbed his closest hand and sandwiched it between hers. “No,” she said. “Unless you want me to. It’s a good skill to have.” She pried open his loose fist by flattening his long fingers. Then, with her eyes pinned on him, Ty lifted his hand to her lips and planted a kiss in the center of his palm.
Heat flared in his blue eyes as he watched her. Desire. Longing. Passion. She felt all of it low in her tummy. But Ty was also aware that Lucas had the tendency to wander out shortly after tucking himself into bed. Besides, there were conversations she wanted to have with him.
“Where did your love of cars come from?” she asked.
