“Did you pick out a new book? Or do I finally get to choose?” Marlow was herself. Not a sugar-coated version. If anything, the man in the bed seemed to appreciate that.
“Like hell I’d let you pick. I don’t want some fluffy—”
“If you say chick book, I’m leaving.” She settled into the chair beside the bed. “Can’t they get something more comfortable?”
“I’ll talk to somebody about it.” His mouth twitched as she pulled a book from her purse.
“Guess you aren’t interested in this.” She held it out.
He perked up. “Is that the new one?”
“Yeah, but since I don’t get to pick—”
“Read that one.”
“Are you sure?” Marlow hovered the hardback over her bag.
“Start reading, doll. Visiting hours aren’t that long.”
The entire day Marlow dazzled soldier after soldier. She was no stranger to any of them. In fact, they were pleased to see her.
My mouth hung open most of the time. She was herself, yet a bit of that hard exterior shell was down. This was the woman I saw that sometimes her family didn’t. Around these people, she had no trouble being herself. I wondered if that was because they all understood each other’s pain.
“You didn’t have to stay all day.” She settled against me once we were back in the car, resting her head on my shoulder.
Blake was already asleep in my lap. He’d had a small nap in the stroller between two visits, which made sense. But he’d been patient, even when he’d wanted to get down and run around. I had no idea how he’d pulled that off. Such a patient and amazing kid.
“And miss you in action? No way.”
She glared at me. “Don’t tell anyone, okay?”
“I won’t.” I rubbed circles on her shoulder. “Any particular reason why?”
Wicked was quiet a moment. “I started coming during Jack’s first deployment. I—I don’t even know why. But after—it’s the one place where I feel like I can breathe.”
I pressed a kiss to her hair. “How often do you go?”
“Every Tuesday.”
“What you’re doing—”
“Isn’t enough. And don’t start thinking I’m some sort of good person. I go for me. I’d have never survived this long without that place.”
“We can go more often if you want.”
“Tuesday. It has to be Tuesday.”
I opened my mouth to ask her why, but decided against it. Her reasons were her own. When she wanted to share, she would.
“Thanks for letting me tag along.”
“I’m glad you came. I couldn’t have handled Blake with my back.”
I nuzzled her hair. “At least I’m good for something.”
“You haven’t asked me all day if I’m okay.”
“Didn’t need to.”
She paused, the silence heavy for a moment before she spoke. “It’s the day they came to tell me—”
There weren’t words, so I held her close.
I’d told Wicked I loved her before going to the VA hospital, but even through the snark, even through the crazy back and forth between us, nothing had prepared me for seeing her care for others like today. And then be consumed with grief moments later. Her pain cut her deeply, far worse than anyone knew. How could I not love her?
She allowed me to hold her, and I was glad. I needed her in my arms at that moment.
We pulled up to my townhouse and had barely stopped when she stiffened, voice leaden with venom. “What is she doing here?”
Chapter Fifty-Two
Marlow
Mother.
The one person I longed for most of my life who was never there. Now that I didn’t want anything to do with her, she wouldn’t go away.
“Want me to handle it?”
I was tempted to let Patrick get rid of her.
“I’ve got this.” I yanked on the door handle, smoothed a cool expression onto my face, and pretended like my back didn’t hurt like hell.
“At least I know where you are now.” She pushed off the concrete rail that flanked the steps. “Nice place.” Her eyes flicked toward the townhouse before landing on me.
Patrick touched the center of my spine in an I’m here gesture.
“You need to leave.” I clenched my fist at my side.
“That’s no way to talk to your mother, dear,” she said breezily. “Let’s go inside so I can see how badly you’re hurt.”
How did she know I was hurt?
“You need to leave.”
“I went by Jack’s grave today. Freshened the flowers. The ones there looked pitiful.”
The words were right on target.
Guilt that I’d neglected him nearly crippled me.
I swayed into Patrick, who steadied me with a hand to the hip. With a pleading look, I begged him to make her go away. I couldn’t do it. Couldn’t handle her.
“Leave.”
She didn’t move, her eyes on me. “With your mental issues, is it a good idea to have my grandson in your care?”
Mental issues? What was she talking about?
“I won’t say it again. Leave.”
She turned her disdain to him. “Soliciting sex? I absolutely don’t want my boy around someone the likes of you.”
“You abandoned us. You have no right to judge any parent.” I trembled with rage. How had I ever believed I needed this woman in my life?
She smiled. A sliver of fear cut through me.
“I’ve been here all along.” Her heels clicked on the steps. “And when I come back, I expect a more hospitable reception.”
I stared after her as she crossed the street.
“You’re shaking.” The softness of his tone caused a sheen to form over my eyes.
“What does she want?” I whispered.
“I don’t know, but it sounds like she’s coming after Blake.”
“No.” She couldn’t touch my baby. I’d die before I let her do anything to him.
“Let’s talk it over with Andrew. We might need to go on the offensive.” He easily handled getting Blake and the stroller up the steps before unlocking the door.
Blindly, I followed him inside.
“Why? Why now?”
“I’m not sure this is just starting. Do you mind if I call Dad too?”
“You can’t call my dad Dad.” I detoured into his office to the comfy chair by the window. “That feels
