CHAPTERTWENTY
Eb stepped toward the sofa, but Sandra went to stand at the sliding glass door to the balcony looking out on the lights from town.
“I haven’t had a chance to tell you,” he said, coming to stand nearby. “While we were out tonight, I got an email. It’s good news. After three tries, I finally got the results of the paternity test. Rue is my biological daughter.”
“I’m happy for you.”
Sandra’s shoulders had relaxed marginally, and she glanced at him with a sad smile, a faint flicker to her shuttered gaze. It was like she couldn’t bear for him to see inside. What was she hiding?
“You’re scaring me a little tonight, Sandra.”
Before she could answer, Rue cried out from the bedroom. Eb had barely turned when she ran into the living room.
“Daddy! Where did— oh, yay! Miss Sandra’s still here.” Rue raced to her and threw her arms around her legs. “Can Grace come with us to theliberrytomorrow?”
“If she’s not in school, of course.” The love in Sandra’s expression as she brushed a strand of hair from his daughter’s face fired up Eb’s resolve. Somehow, he had to convince Sandra that she could come to care for him as much as she obviously loved his daughter.
“Miss Rue,” Sandra said, “I believe you’re supposed to be in bed.”
“I don’t want to go to bed.” She crossed her arms and scrunched her face.
“I know, sweetheart, but your daddy and I need to talk about some grown-up things.”
“Are you going to kiss him again?” Rue looked hopeful, but Eb winced.
Sandra didn’t look at him. “No. We willnotbe kissing. We’re just friends.”
“But I don’t want you to be daddy’s friend. I want you to be my mommy.”
Sandra pinched her lips. Eb just stood there like an idiot because he didn’t know what to say. She was experiencing powerful emotions way out of proportion to Rue’s statement.
“You already have a mommy,” Sandra said, her voice raw.
Rue pulled a face. Before she could say more, Eb gathered his wits enough to step over and lift her into his arms.
“It’s time for bed. Say goodnight to Sandra.” When Rue refused and buried her face in his shoulder, Eb strode toward her bedroom. “All right, but don’t forget she doesn’t have to take you to Storytime.”
Rue lifted her head. “But she promised.”
“But if you don’t behave, she can’t trust you in public.”
“I’ll be good. I promise!”
It took a few minutes to get Rue settled—in her bed this time. He worried Sandra might have left, so it was with even more trepidation that he approached the living room. In the year he’d known her, he’d seen her in many situations, always handling them with grace and confidence. Once again, he wondered what had shattered her peace of mind.
When Eb turned the corner and saw her still gazing out the windows, he let out a breath, but her body language didn’t ease his mind.
“I’m sorry,” he said, moving toward her until she spoke.
“What I’m going to tell you, even Walt doesn’t know. I’ve tried to put it in my past but…” She sighed and turned to face him. “I can’t have children.”
Eb frowned. “How do you know this? Have you tried before?”
She responded by lifting her sweater to expose part of her bare abdomen. An ugly scar ran across and down, disappearing into her jeans. It took all his self-control not to show the shock he felt. Simple surgery wouldn’t have created such a jagged wound. It was almost like something had ripped into her.
“Do you remember the day you met us at the airport?” she said, moving to the couch, but not looking at him. “And there was a man who knew me?”
“Yes, I remember. He had a family and looked happy to see you.”
