“Look.” She framed his face with her hands. “I understand. This is part of it.”
He brought those hands to his lips. “I...” But he didn’t tell her he loved her, because she would echo the words, and it made him nervous to hear them. “I appreciate it,” he said instead. “And I’ll make it up to you.”
“Tell you what—why don’t I finish up what I have to do, then stop by the market? I’ll make dinner. Something that won’t spoil if it has to be warmed up a couple of times.”
Though his mind was already drifting away from her, he managed a pained smile. “You’re going to cook.”
“I’m not that bad. I’m not,” she insisted with a bit of a huff when he grinned. “I only burned the potatoes the other night because you kept distracting me.”
“I guess it’s the least I can do.” He kissed her lightly once, then again, longer. “I’ll try to call.”
“If you can.” She waved him off, then stood watching while he jogged down into the subway. With a quick laugh, she spun around, hugging herself.
She felt just like a cop’s wife.
“I hope you don’t mind me dropping by.”
“Of course not.” Rachel took a look at the bulging shopping bags in Bess’s hands. “Been busy?”
“Whenever I get started with that little plastic card, I can’t seem to stop.” She dumped her purchases inside the apartment door. “You look wonderful. How can you look wonderful less than a week after going through childbirth?”
“Strong genes.” Pleased in general, and with Bess in particular, Rachel kissed her on both cheeks. “Come sit down.”
“Thanks. I—Oops.” She dipped into the bag and pulled out a gold-foiled candy box. “For Mom.”
“Oh.” Rachel’s eyes took on the glow a woman’s get when she looks at a lover—or a five-pound box of exclusive chocolates. “I think you just became my best friend.”
Chuckling, Bess dug into the bags again. “Well, I know that people tend to drop by with baby gifts.” She held out a box wrapped in snowy white with bright red lollipops scattered over it. “And, though I couldn’t resist the tradition, I figured you deserved something really sinful for yourself.”
“I do.” Rachel tucked the baby box under her other arm. “It’s really sweet of you, Bess, and unnecessary. You and Alex already brought Brenna that wonderful stuffed dragon.”
“That was from us. This is from me. It’s a girl thing. I saw this tiny little white organdy dress with all these flounces and little pink bows and I couldn’t resist.”
Rachel’s new-mother’s heart melted. “Really?”
“I figure in another year she might want to wear motorcycle boots, so this may be your only chance to play dress-up.”
“I swore that whatever I had, I wouldn’t make sexist decisions in dress or attitude.” She sighed over the box. “White organdy?”
“Six flounces. I counted.”
“I can’t wait to put her in it.”
“Ah, company.” Mikhail strode out of the bedroom with Brenna tucked in his arm. “Hello, Aunt Bess.” He kissed both of her cheeks, then her mouth.
“You said you wouldn’t wake her up.” This from Rachel, who was already leaning over to coo.
“I didn’t. Exactly. What’s this?” Recognizing the gold foil box, he flipped it open and dived in.
“Mine,” Rachel said in a huff. “If you eat more than one, I’ll break your fingers.”
“She was always greedy,” he said over the first piece. “Where’s Alexi?”
“He got called in.”
“Good. Now you have time to sit down. I’ll sketch you.”
“Now?” Womanlike, Bess lifted a hand to her hair. “I’m not exactly dressed for it.”
