“I’ll take care of it right away.”
Imani went over to Garrett and rubbed his shoulders. She leaned over him and rested her cheek on his back. “I’m so sorry. I wish there were something I could do.”
Slowly, Garrett turned around gazing at her as if he was seeing her for the first time. “Maybe there is?”
“What? I’ll do anything I can to help.”
“Anything?”
She nodded. “Short of murder, yes.”
Imani could see the wheels turning in his head. She waited for him to answer.
Finally, he responded. “Marry me.”
*****
Imani was nervous sitting in her car, in the parking lot of the park, waiting for Garrett and his son to arrive. This was going to be her first meeting with him. Garrett had just phoned to let her know they should be pulling up any second.
She bounced her leg up and down holding the recently purchased stuffed animal she’d gotten for Garrett Jr. If she didn’t relax and stop holding it so tightly, while she anxiously waited for their arrival, it wouldn’t be in any condition to give to Garrett Jr. Finally, Imani saw Garrett’s black Mercedes pull up next to her silver Volvo.
He got out of his car and opened the rear door. She could see him lean over and unbuckle the car seat, but Imani couldn’t see Garrett Jr.
Imani took a deep breath and got out of the car. Garrett seemed to be a pro at handling babies. He juggled Garrett Jr. in one hand then slid his baby bag onto his shoulder with the other and closed the door.
She smiled wide, a nervous and shaky kind of smile when he turned in her direction. “Hey.” Imani stood gaping like a fool at Garrett Jr. He was one handsome child and could have easily been a Gerber baby. “Wow. He’s real.”
“Yep. He’s real.” Just like any proud father, Garrett looked on lovingly at his son.
Garrett Jr. grinned revealing four teeth on the top and two on the bottom. He spoke to Imani. “Hi!”
“Hello there.”
He giggled and pointed. “Dog!”
Imani realized he was referring to the stuffed animal she’d been clutching in her hands. “Oh . . . I brought this just for you.”
His blue eyes were so bright. Garrett Jr. appeared to be as happy as they come. He reached out for it.
Garrett prompted, “What do you say, buddy?”
“Tank-you.”
Baby talk. It warmed Imani’s heart. “You’re welcome.”
Garrett was just as nervous as Imani about introducing her to his son. He prayed he was making the right decision. “Let’s go take a seat on one of the benches.”
Imani nodded.
The awkwardness quickly vanished. Garrett Jr. wasn’t about to sit still for very long on the bench. In short order, the three of them were climbing the jungle gym, running, jumping all around the park—and having the time of their lives.
It was a little chilly, but after an hour or so, Garrett spread a blanket out on the ground. He’d had a picnic lunch prepared, and they ate, laughed, and talked. It seemed like the most natural thing in the world. They almost felt like a real family.
After eating, Garrett Jr. yawned big and stretched. He crawled over to Imani and sat in her lap snuggling close and laying his head on her chest, just beneath her heart. His small hand reached up and touched her cheek.
Surprised, Imani wrapped her arms around him holding him close and placing her cheek on the top of his little head. Within moments, Garrett Jr. was fast asleep.
A lump formed in Garrett’s throat as he watched. He didn’t know if his son would ever know the love of a mother’s touch. Watching him with Imani removed all doubt that he was making the right decision.
She would be good for Garrett Jr. and possibly for him too.
Imani knew immediately that she’d do whatever to protect Garrett’s little boy. He’d stolen her heart the moment he cupped her cheek with his chunky little hands.
After Garrett had approached her with plans to keep custody of his son, Imani was skeptical. She was uncertain his plan would work and fully intended to tell him she couldn’t do it until she saw the incredible bond between Garrett and his son. Biological or not, that was his child. That little boy loved and trusted Garrett completely. Imani had never seen a man be so tender with a child, save for her own father.
The aloofness that was a constant companion to Garrett disappeared when he was with him. The possibility they could be separated left her feeling sick to her stomach. However, the soothing balm to her soul came when Garrett Jr.’s intense blue eyes looked up into hers. Imani was lost. Yes, was the only answer she could give.
The decision had been made. Imani was going to become Mrs. Garrett Hadley and with that title came the role of mother. What she was about to do was not on any plan Imani had ever written, so of course, she had her doubts. But, she was going to go with her gut. There was something about Garrett that screamed he’s the one. Imani was taking a risk, a big risk, one that she hoped worked out for everyone especially Garrett Jr.
Chapter 16
Shannon Hadley was usually an early riser. However, this morning she slept in a little longer nursing a slight headache. She was also still a little fuzzy from the night before. It was entirely possible she’d had way too much to drink. Briefly, Shannon closed her eyes as she wondered what the hell she was going to do.
Sitting at her desk, and still wrapped in a satin robe she
