I close my eyes and take in his words. I don’t know why, but when he’s the one thinking and saying it, I believe it a little.
* * *
THE NEXT MORNING I get up to find Rowan just as eager to chat with the kids as he was the morning before.
“Good morning,” I greet everyone, a little embarrassed after the night I just spent in his arms.
“Good morning, Uncle Seth,” Emily quickly greets me. “Come sit down,” she pulls me to the table and makes me sit down. “I’ve already finished.” She picks up her bowl and carries it to the sink.
“We’re done too.” Mason and Logan stand up, mimicking Emily’s gestures. “Let’s get ready,” Mason says, taking the others with him.
Rowan and I are left alone in the unusual silence of my kitchen.
“Would you like some coffee?”
“Coffee. Absolutely.”
He walks over to the shelf and then turns. “Would you like me to show you how…” He points to the car he brought in yesterday.
“Yeah.” I walk to him, lean my hips against the shelf, and watch his movements.
“There are capsules for coffee, cappuccino, caramel latte…”
“I like that one.”
Rowan finally looks at me and smiles. “I thought you might. That’s why I bring it.”
“You did this for me? Do you know me that well?”
He hands me a cup. “Some people are easy to read.”
“And you think you know everything about me?”
Rowan makes his coffee, too, and then imitates my position.
“I think I understand the most important thing.”
“Oh yeah? Which is?”
He looks at me for a long moment, then curls his lips upward.
“That the kids are lucky to have you.”
I touch my chest with one hand.
“And that I will do everything I can to make sure they stay in your care.”
I can’t cry at this hour of the morning without having had a sip of my caramel latte.
“I don’t know what…” I lower my eyes, hoping to hide my emotions.
Rowan lifts my chin with two fingers.
“Last night…” His voice pierces my soul. “I know it was difficult for you.”
I nod slowly.
“I wish I could… I could do something to ease your pain.”
