Because of the large age gap between me and therest of my siblings, I’ve always felt a little removed from them. I was packing for college when they were still in elementary school, so I never had a bond with any of them. Since moving back, that’s changed. We’ve grown closer.
One of the few silver linings I never asked for.
I continue sipping my beer as I survey the room. I recognize almost everyone. Employees of the medical clinic. Longtime family friends. Members of Robert’s church who never liked me much to begin with.
But as always seems to be the case today, my gaze snags on Rowan, a smile curving on my lips when I watch her play peek-a-boo with Jemmy.
I was somewhat surprised when she walked back into the church with Presley less than ten minutes after I left them. And throughout the service, Presley seemed…okay. She and Rowan kept exchanging looks, as if they were sharing an inside joke only they were privy to.
I didn’t care as long as Presley was happy. And she is. I figured today would be like the funeral all over again. Or any of the other memorial services Robert has planned for Cora. Presley would spend the day with her face buried in her sketchpad, ignoring everyone until it was time to go home, at which point she’d lock herself in her room.
Instead, she seems happy. Or, as happy as she can be. Whatever Rowan said must have worked.
“Looks like your new nanny’s working out pretty well,” Jude remarks after a beat.
“Yeah. She’s…great.” I lift the bottle to my lips, taking a sip to hide the smile that sneaks up on me as I watch her.
“That’s something I haven’t seen in a while.”
I dart my eyes toward him. “What?”
“You. Happy.”
The word makes me uneasy. There’s still a part of me that doesn’t think I deserve happiness.
But there’s another part that can’t deny I’ve had more moments of happiness over the past several weeks than I have all year.
And every one of them involves Rowan.
“Is there something going on between you and the nanny?” Jude asks in a low voice.
“What?” I tear my gaze toward him so fast it’s a wonder I don’t give myself whiplash. “No. Absolutely not.”
“Are you sure?” He raises a single disbelieving brow.
“She’s my employee. And she’s thirteen years younger than me.”
He doesn’t say anything. Just keeps looking at me with that same skeptical look. As if he knows I’m full of shit.
“I mean, do I think she’s attractive? You’d have to be blind not to. But that doesn’t mean anything.”
“Mmm hmm.”
“What would you say if Dylan started seeing a guy my age?”
“She’s an adult. She can make her own decisions.” He shrugs, as if he’s never put the fear of God into any of the unlucky bastards Dylan tried to date.
Which he has.
“Age is just a number anyway,” he adds casually.
“I just lost my wife.”
“A year ago.”
I swallow hard, remaining silent.
“Granted, Robert would prefer you remain faithful to Cora for the rest of your life,” he remarks.
