End of conversation, just like that, and he would honor her wishes. He laid Ella on the bed as gently as possible, but her eyes blinked open. She focused on him and smiled. The tiny eyes surrounded with dark circles in a gaunt face met his.Oh, man.A stab of pain ripped into his chest.
She lifted her little hands and placed them on his face. “I just wanted to see if I was dreaming.”
Megan came closer with the pajamas. “Time to get ready for bed, sweetie.”
Reid moved away.
“Wait.” Ella grabbed his hand. “Will you be here when I wake up?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” A soft smile lit her face.
A connection that he didn’t want to feel drew him to plant a soft kiss on her forehead. No. He didn’t want to feel that. Not at all. He focused on not transmitting his horror at his feelings and backed toward the door.
“I like him, Mommy,” Ella said before he left the room. “He read to me tonight. Did you see that, Mommy?”
Ella’s excitement danced in the air like a promise or wish.
“I did.” Megan’s words came out in a flat tone. So flat her opinion on the comment was clear. Crystal.
“Daddy was always too busy to read to me. Even at the hospital.”
Reid stopped outside the door and rested his head against the wall. What kind of man was always too busy to read to his child? Especially a child who was as sick as Ella. If Reid ever ran into this guy, he didn’t think he could keep a civil tongue. But it was none of his business, so he softly pulled the door closed. Closed down his heart too. For everyone but Jessie and his family.
He jogged down the stairs. Some might say ran, but he had to get away from the precious little girl. Away from any emotions forming for a sick child.
Russ and Sydney glanced at him from the sofa.
Reid hurried over to them. “Thanks for coming.”
“Anything we need to know before our night of frostbite?” Russ asked.
“Turn the heater on in the car?” Reid joked to keep them from seeing his anger over the abandonment by Ella’s father. Or maybe the way he still cared about Megan and was coming to care for Ella too.
“I’m serious,” Russ snapped.
“Relax.” Sydney laid her hand on Russ’s arm.
Reid could see the touch instantly calm him. She’d been so good for Russ. Changed his life in so many positive ways. Reid was jealous of what his little brother had with Sydney.
He heard Megan coming down the stairs behind him and turned. She descended toward him. This was the woman who’d just sat across the table from him. Who warmed the room with her smile. Who bonded with his daughter and made her feel important. Desire for the same family dynamic he’d had before ached in his gut.
Would Megan be as good for him as Sydney had been for Russ? Or would he only be setting himself up for disappointment and hurt?
Not something he should even ponder. Not only couldn’t he survive the unknown of a loved one with cancer, but it wouldn’t be right to put Jessie through such pain again. And no matter his renewed interest in Megan, he wouldn’t risk connecting with her and then bailing again. That wouldn’t be right. Not at all. Especially after her husband had done that. And with a sick child. Reid would be the lowest of low if he treated her that way.
“I didn’t know you were coming over.” She directed her gaze at Sydney, who didn’t respond but cast a questioning look at Reid.
“Jack called to say Fowler’s gone AWOL.” Reid tried to keep his tone free from any anxiety.
“And you think he found us?” She flashed her worried gaze to the windows.
“No,” Reid said. “But I don’t want to take any chances, so Russ and Syd will stand guard outside tonight.”
“Is this really necessary? I hate to think of the two of you outside in the cold.”
“Not necessary, but Reid is right,” Russ said. “Better safe than sorry.” Russ tugged Sydney to her feet. “See you all in the morning.”
