“No, don’t let him help.” Jessie planted her feet. “He stacks the dishwasher wrong, and the dishes don’t get clean.”
Megan’s smile vanished, and her face took on a mock seriousness. “In that case, I think you better go entertain Ella.”
Jessie gave a thumbs-up. “That’s a good job for him. He’s good with kids.”
She was so serious and grown up for her age that it made Reid’s heart ache as he headed for the sofa. He sat next to Ella. “What are you reading?”
“It’s about Christmas.” She lifted the book to display the cover of one of Jessie’s favorite Christmas stories. “Will you read it to me?”
“Sure.”
She handed the book to him and scooted close. He slipped his arm around her shoulders and started the story of Jesus’s birth. As he read, Ella’s eyes grew heavier with each page. Before he reached the end, she slid down on the sofa and laid her head on his knee. He stopped reading and studied her. The cute little face was so relaxed in sleep, but the ravages of her illness clung to her like a dark cloud.
He closed the book and set it on the table. Jessie had often fallen asleep to this story, and he’d sat softly stroking her hair until Diane would pick her up, and together, they’d put her to bed. The memories gnawed at him. He’d missed this family atmosphere these past few years.
He glanced at the kitchen where Megan watched him. She had a tender smile for him, her face filled with a longing that must match the feelings permeating him.
“See,” Jessie said. “I told you he’s good with kids.”
Megan crossed the room, seeming to shake off whatever emotions she’d transmitted. “I’ll put her to bed.”
“Let me carry her for you.” Reid got up before Megan protested.
“Bandit’s too quiet in there, and I’m going to check on him.” Jessie headed down the hall toward the den.
Reid climbed the stairs, and Megan followed him. He could feel her eyes burning into his back. Maybe she didn’t want him helping her with Ella. Maybe it reminded her of Ella’s absent father, a subject that piqued Reid’s curiosity.
He stepped into his former bedroom, the one Megan and Ella were sharing, and flipped on the light switch with his elbow. “You never said if Orrin spends time with Ella.”
Megan went to her suitcase and dug in it, as if ignoring him. “No, I didn’t.”
“You don’t want to talk about him,” Reid said, though it was obvious the subject was off-limits.
“No.” She pulled out a pair of pink footie pajamas.
“Is this about Orrin or about our past?”
She turned and locked gazes with him, her eyes sincere. “I’m not mad about what happened between us anymore. I’ve forgiven you and totally let it go now.”
He stopped mid-step. “When did that change?”
“I don’t know. I guess earlier today, I realized that we didn’t ever really discuss a future together.” She paused and shook out the pajamas. “You never promised me anything. So how could I be mad at you?”
He made strong eye contact. “You shouldn’t let me off so easy. You know as well as I do that we had something together, and when I left, I hurt you.”
She shrugged. “It’s in the past. Let’s forget it and not talk about it anymore. Okay?”
“How can I forget about it? Every time I look in your eyes, I see how much I hurt you.”
“I’m fine, Reid. Really, I am.” She swiveled and pressed out wrinkles in the pajamas.
He moved closer, bending low and forcing her to face him. “I heard the way you told Sydney there could never be anything between us again. You sounded angry—maybe hurt—but definitely not fine.”
“You’re reading too much into it. I’m not upset anymore. When I first saw you at the hospital, I was still mad, but you’ve changed that by being here when we needed you. I’ve forgiven you for everything that happened and want to move past it.” Her words rang sincere.
The heavy weight he’d been carrying all these years lifted from his shoulders, but he could tell she was still holding something from him. “Despite what you say, I didn’t mistake your tone with Sydney.”
She shrugged. “Maybe I came across as mad, but I didn’t want Sydney or Russ to get their hopes up when the only reason you and I are together right now is because of Fowler.” She held out the pajamas. “Now if you don’t mind, I need to get Ella to bed.”
