Nodding, she whispered, “What will you do?”
“You’re spooked, so I’m going to look around to see if anything is out of place.”
Now she felt self-conscious about it, but damn it, the worry remained. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”
“I’m not, so will you stay put?”
His obvious impatience had her agreeing. “Yes, but please don’t be long.” She hefted Ryder a little higher. If Hendrix had led her to a bench, she could sit down, but he’d deliberately moved her away from the few lit areas. At least a couple of trees helped to shield her back and gave her something to lean on. “My son is not a lightweight.”
In the dim light, she saw the brief hitching of Hendrix’s lips, and then he moved away. Seconds later, she couldn’t see him or hear him and that made her even more anxious. Instinctively, she nuzzled her cheek against Ryder’s hair, then kissed his forehead. “We’re okay,” she whispered to herself. Hendrix’s scent remained on his large jacket, a soothing mix of fresh air,pine, and potent male musk. That, too, reassured her. She’d always felt safe with him.
They’d had such a wonderful day, and Hendrix had relieved her most immediate worry about rent. No, they hadn’t yet discussed the particulars, and he’d barely glanced at her list. But he said she could stay, and that she didn’t need to pay rent, and that meant she’d be able to afford a few gifts for Ryder.
Sucked that things were ending like this, with her getting nervous, obliging Hendrix to do the whole protective bit. She closed her eyes, thinking of all the ways she’d imposed on him already.
Given the same circumstances, she’d do it again – for Ryder. For her son, she’d do anything and everything necessary to protect him.
Things had been so...sparse, this past year. Ryder deserved a special gift or two for Christmas. Her sister would also send a present, but she doubted he’d receive anything from his father or grandparents. Truthfully, she’d rather not have any contact from them, anyway. All her maternal instincts told her they’d only cause him grief, or worse. With Ted, she never knew how bad things would get.
While she impatiently waited, she considered a few gifts for her son. More art supplies, definitely. Probably a book or two, so she could continue fostering his love of reading. She considered the remote-controlled dinosaur he’d spotted in the store, but she hadn’t even checked the price.
What was taking Hendrix so long? She tried to listen for him, but the only sound she detected was the wind through the trees and the distant sound of the Pacific rushing up to the shoreline. It was a sound she usually found peaceful, but now it began to ramp up her nervousness.
Her arms were getting tired when suddenly Hendrix whispered, “Joey,” and she nearly leaped out of her own skin.
As she gasped a breath, he stepped closer and she could finally make out the shape of him. Without thinking, she said, “You just startled a year off my life.”
“I’m sorry. Here, I’ll take him now.” He easily shifted Ryder back to his own arms, taking the time to ensure he was kept covered and warm. “Why don’t you get out your keys to unlock the door?”
Right. She’d held him up long enough.
As she started off, he murmured, “Stay near me.”
Fresh fear bit into her. “Why? Did you see something? What was it?” The fact that they both whispered added to the atmosphere of danger.
“Nothing.” He nudged her along. “We’ll talk inside.”
Right. Inside would definitely be better. Tonight, the park felt eerily big and empty. Having Hendrix near helped her a lot, even though he’d be heading to his own home after he got them safely settled inside.
He’d still be nearby, relatively speaking, and that mattered.
Once under the porch light, she fumbled with her keys, each clink and clank of metal sounding absurdly loud until finally she got the lock to open. Reaching inside, she flipped the switch that turned on the lamps, then stepped in to make room for Hendrix to enter.
Being such a big man, he had to turn sideways to squeeze in without disturbing Ryder. “Where do you want him?”
She secured the door again, even closing the deadbolt, before saying, “I may as well put him straight to bed. If I wake him up to clean his teeth, he’ll be up half the night.”
Hendrix followed her, and then waited while she turned down the quilt so he could ease Ryder into bed. He even stayed in the room as she removed Ryder’s jacket and shoes, then covered him up.
After she’d pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, she straightened and found Hendrix wearing a gentle smile. Why she blushed, she didn’t know, except that it all felt so...homey.
“You’re a great mom.” He smoothed her hair away from her face. “Don’t ever doubt yourself, okay?”
“Thank you.” They stepped into the hall and she pulled the door until it was only open a sliver. “I’m afraid doubt is part of the job description.”
“Maybe. I’ve never been a mom but I’m a man with plenty of doubt, and I was a cop who doubted everything.” He pulled out a chair at the kitchen counter, hung his jacket on the back, then sat down and got comfortable.
Hmm. Apparently, he planned to stay a while. That suited her just fine.
