A short while later, she did not hear the back door open. Nor did she sense the footsteps coming closer. It wasn’t until the intruder squatted beside her and took hold of her hands that she realized Rex was there.
He leaned forward, took her in his arms. She buried her face in his chest.
“Sssh,” he whispered, rocking her gently. “Sssh. It’s okay. I’m home now.”
She raised her head, meeting his eyes. “I’m pregnant,” she whispered.
He tipped his head and conjured a slight grin. “I know.”
“But how …”
“You’re not the only one with intuition.”
Then he swooped her up off the couch and hugged her so tightly she feared she and the baby might break.
Laughing, she pushed him away. “When did you get back?”
He looked awfully good for someone who’d been in a coma for weeks. And his voice sounded normal, as if he had not swallowed gravel.
“I flew home as soon as I figured it out.”
“Liar. You had no idea, did you?”
“Yes, I did. I talked to Taylor. She said you looked like crap.”
Taylor? Was he joking? And yet she knew he must be right about her looking like crap. Especially now with her tear-streaked cheeks. “What if I look like crap for the next five months?”
“Then you’ll look like happy, pregnant, glowing crap.”
Together, they laughed. Then Rex tucked her hair behind her ears; she looked in his eyes and saw love looking back. And when he leaned down and kissed her, a soft, passionate kiss, she utterly melted.
Then he rubbed his hand over his bald head. “So, what do you think? Shall we get married?”
She gulped so loudly he must have heard it.
Then the front door opened. And Maddie woke up.
“Sorry. I didn’t know you were sleeping.”
“It’s okay, Dad,” Maddie said, gently rubbing her eyes, not yet wanting to erase her dream.
“How did the weekend go?” he asked.
“Fine. Great. Busy.” At least that was true.
“You must be tired. Waiting tables is hard work.”
She supposed he was comparing teaching to being a server. “It was fun, though.”
Stephen took off his hat and gloves and unzipped his jacket, then set some papers on the table and moved toward the hall closet because he always picked up after himself.
“Shall I make tea?” Maddie asked because she didn’t know what else to say. Or do. Other than not share her news. “Have you had lunch?”
“It’s after three. And yes, I ate in town while Evelyn was at her meeting.”
Maddie heard the rattle of clothes hangers; she checked her watch, surprised that it was so late. “How is she?”
“She’s doing well. Busy. I think her new medication is helping.”
