Page 45 of An Unexpected Match
“I almost catched a crab, but it went in the hole,” Avery said, running to overtake Hailey.
Brendan could see the fine glitter of sand on her arms and legs. He could imagine what Arden’s old station wagon must look like.
Raising his gaze, he looked at her. “Sounds like a perfect day.”
She grinned and nodded. “You should have come. We could have used your help on the castle. Upstairs, girls. Time for a bath before dinner.”
They headed up the stairs, stomping like they were a small herd of elephants. He stared up as they disappeared from view.
Brendan turned and looked at Arden.
“I don’t know how to relate to little girls that much. I think maybe I would have done much better with sons.”
Sons. What was it with men? She’d heard that all her life, first from her father, then her aunts, from Patti and Pete and now Brendan.
Turning quickly, Arden climbed the stairs. She loved these two little girls. And she knew Brendan did as well. Yet he felt he could relate better to boys. If he’d spend more time with his daughters, he’d relate fine.
They were making strides at dinner. He asked questions that had both Avery and Hailey opening up and sharing their day with him. And he seemed to enjoy it.
Her heart dropped. Her aunt had been correct. If he ever married again, he’d want sons to carry on his name.
Sons to relate to.
“Arden?” Brendan called.
“I have to give the girls a bath.”
“Come back down when you’re finished.”
She waved in acknowledgment, but had no intention of spending a moment longer with the man than she had to.
Despite her best efforts, she had fantasized about a relationship between them. She was falling in love and there was no future in it. Even if he ever got over losing Lannie, she couldn’t marry him, knowing she could never give him the sons he wanted.
She needed to keep her distance and get over thisinfatuationas quickly as she could.
Final exams were coming up next week. She would devote her energy to studying, completing her project, and focusing on her course work. Maybe she could take a few classes this summer to hasten her graduation.
Arden prepared a quick, cold supper of sandwiches and fruit salad. The girls told their father all about their day at the beach, laughing and interrupting each other in their excitement.
Brendan listened without interruption, watching them with a hint of bafflement in his eyes. Twice he looked to Arden for clarification.
Which he probably wouldn’t have needed to do if they were boys, she thought grumpily as she reluctantly shared the explanation of the activities they’d done at the beach.
“I should have gone,” he said at the end of the meal. “It sounds as if you all had a great time. Although I got a lot accomplished for my trip.”
“Yes, you should have come with us. I think the girls would have found it much more enjoyable. And you can’t work all the time.”
He nodded. “Next time you go, I’ll go, too.”
“Or you can take them yourself next weekend.”
Arden looked away. She wouldn’t be joining in any more family activities. His comment today made it clear to her that she had better focus her attention on where she had a future not in futile endeavors with Brendan Ferguson.
Chapter Eleven
Before dinner was over, Hailey asked if Brendan would watch a movie with them before bed that night.
“What movie?”
