She fingered the ring. “I bought this ring for myself years ago because I fell in love with it the first time I saw it.”
“You bought it for yourself?” Austin wasn’t sure why that pleased him, but it did.
“Have I mentioned that I can be compulsive? Having the money to buy whatever I want doesn’t really help me curb my impulses.”
That was the problem with him and Debbie? Would there ever come a day that she ran out of money? If they were together, would she expect him to support her impulsive habits?
A whistle blew on the field and the next thing Austin knew his boys were at his side drinking from their water bottles.
Forty minutes later, he followed Debbie into her driveway. He itched to call Cheyenne and tell her lunch was canceled since she didn’t bother to show up for her sons’ soccer game. But Debbie had already picked up enough food to feed a small army.
He helped her carry bags and boxes into the house as the boys raced to the playroom. Then he paced the opposite side of the island as she arranged the food on pretty platters.
A soft psst caught his attention. He looked at Debbie.
She tilted her head toward the doorway between the kitchen and dining room where Savvy stood with her arms wrapped around herself.
Austin stepped toward her.
Uncertainty filled Savvy’s eyes. “Is it okay if I hang out with the boys in the playroom? You know, until they come.”
His stomach hardened at the vulnerability in his daughter’s voice, and for the hundredth time, he cursed Cheyenne for showing up out of the blue.
Debbie rounded the counter and gave Savvy a quick hug. “It’s going to be okay. Lunch will be over before you know it. Then we can go shopping for your prom dress.” This brought a small smile to Savvy’s lips.
Austin pulled Savvy into his arms when Debbie released her. “Remember, no one is going to force you to do anything you don’t want to do. That means you don’t have to—”
“Hug her, I know.” Savannah nodded. “It’s just lunch, right?” She put on a brave face, but beneath her mask, Austin could see the insecure little girl who had been hurt deeply by her mother’s abandonment.
Savannah walked out of the room, and Austin dropped into a chair and hung his head. “Please tell me this isn’t a mistake. That my kids aren’t going to suffer for my decisions.”
Debbie knelt in front of him and smoothed back his hair. “You’re just doing what you feel is best.”
If he wasn’t so distressed, Austin would have welcomed her touch. But he couldn’t afford to let his attraction to Debbie distract him from doing what his children needed him to do.
He lifted his head and leaned back. Not far enough to insult her but enough so he could concentrate. “Please just stay by my side, and help me protect my kids from her.”
The doorbell rang, and Austin tensed.
Debbie stood and pulled him up. “We’re only doing them a favor, remember? You hold all the cards.”
Austin let Debbie guide him to the front door. He opened it when she pushed him forward. Was she trying to help him act like the man of the house? Because he sure didn’t feel like it. Not of this house anyway.
Cheyenne and Tucker breezed in like they hadn’t already committed an unpardonable sin today. Cheyenne looked like she’d dressed for afternoon tea with the Queen of England in a mid-calf, lilac-colored, chiffon dress with a sequin-covered bodice. And Tucker wore business casual as though he planned to spend the afternoon at the country club.
“We missed you both at the soccer game this morning.” Debbie smiled and waved their guest into the sitting room, but Austin detected a tension in her voice that wasn’t usually there.
Cheyenne waved a hand in dismissal. “We booked a hotel in the Tri-Cities area last night instead of making the drive back to Boise, but I didn’t have anything appropriate to wear for lunch today, so I had to go shopping this morning.”
Of course, shopping was more important than her kids.
Austin flexed his fingers, resisting the urge to double up his fists and punch something. Better yet, someone.
Debbie leaned against his side and slid her hand into his.
How does she always manage to soothe my irritation with a simple touch?
“Well,” he said, “I’m sure you’re ready for lunch and to meet the kids. Debbie and Savannah have plans this afternoon, so we—“ Austin stopped himself from saying we may as well get this over with. “We should probably eat.”
