Although,Ethan was just as satisfied as Mason to sit there in that chair, his feetpropped up, the tiny bundle in his arms curled up close to his chest. He couldalmost imagine this for himself.
Neverbefore had he considered the possibility of children of his own and it hadnothing to do with the fact that he wasn’t going to find a wife. Adoption was awonderful option as far as Ethan was concerned.
No,he’d never let himself get carried away with the idea because he didn’t thinkhe’d ever find someone he wanted to settle down with. Until Beau.
Ethancould totally picture Beau as a father. He’d be amazing. The mental imagebrought a smile to Ethan’s face.
Masoncooed softly, and Ethan ran the back of his knuckle over his chubby littlecheek and smiled like a fool. “Yeah? That’s kinda the way I feel when I thinkabout Beau, too,” he told Mason.
Thatand more.
He’dspent two days alone with Beau in Houston, and he found that wasn’t nearlyenough. Especially after last night. Falling asleep in his arms, waking upbeside him. It defied his most outrageous dreams; it was so much better. But,even though he still felt like he was walking on a cloud after their admissionslast night, the pessimist in him always wondered how long it would actuallylast.
Notlong enough to consider having a family he was sure. That didn’t stop him fromthinking about it though.
Aknock at the door had Ethan glancing up to the enormous picture window at thefront of the house. The sun had already dipped below the horizon, but the porchlight was on and he could see the outline of a person. A very tall person atthat.
“Shouldwe answer that?” he asked Mason as he pushed up out of the chair and headed forthe door.
Openingit slowly, he fully expected to see Beau. That’s not who was gracing the frontporch though.
Shit.
“DidKaleb send you over here? Does he not think I’m capable of handling this on myown?”
Travisstepped into the house and shut the door behind him, laughing in a way Ethanwas getting used to. It was nice to see Travis so laidback these days.
“Theyaren’t here?” Travis asked, sounding genuinely confused.
Ethanturned to look at Travis. “Seriously?”
Travisglanced around the room as though trying to reinforce his answer by looking forKaleb but not finding him.
“Howis the little man?” Travis asked, moving over to look down at Mason who’d justdozed off.
“Perfect,”Ethan murmured, suddenly embarrassed that he’d said it out loud.
Turningaway, he carried Mason to the small bassinette set up in the living room. Withas much care as he could manage, he put Mason down onto his back, ensuring hewas propped exactly the way Zoey had shown him before turning back to Travis.
Ethanwas surprised to find him sitting on the couch, settled in like he was stayingfor a while. A sudden irresistible urge to hammer Travis with questionsovercame him and Ethan headed back to the chair, hoping he’d come up with abetter idea before he started rattling off questions that would only embarrasshim in the end.
Butwho better to ask than Travis? The man knew exactly what Ethan was goingthrough.
“How’rethings at the shop?” Travis asked, obviously trying to make casualconversation.
“Don’tknow. Haven’t been back since earlier in the week. I doubt much has changed, sothat means it’s all good.”
Travislifted one dark eyebrow and Ethan found himself explaining. “I went out of townfor a couple of days. Took Beau down to Houston to get a tattoo.”
“How’dthat go?”
“Hedidn’t get the tattoo.”
Travislaughed. “He chicken out?”
Ethangot defensive of Beau instantly but fought the automatic response. “No. The guywe went to see had a family emergency. Said he’d be up this way next week andwould catch up with us then.”
“Gotcha.The big guy doesn’t seem like the type to be scared of a little needle.”
