So thiscouldn’tbe happening.
Except, itwashappening.The staring.The aching.The bone-melting want.
It took physical effort to drag air into her lungs.Even then, the pressure in her chest didn’t ease.It didn’t help that his attention had wandered to her mouth.She was not imagining this.His gaze was entirely fixed upon her lips.She tested the theory by biting her lower lip.His muffled groan was answer enough.
That did it.She was back to not breathing again.In fact, she didn’t know what she was supposed to do.
“Maggie.”His voice sent a shiver down her spine.
She blinked, rapidly, and forced herself to stare out at the football field.Sure enough, the game was still in play.But there was a surreal quality to it all—like she was trapped in a dream.Maybe she was.Maybe she’d dozed off, too?That would make all of this make sense.
She’d almost convinced herself that was the case when Delilah sat up, threw up her hot chocolate and burst into tears.
“Oh, hon.”She brushed the hair from the little girl’s face.“It’s okay.”
“I threw up.”Delilah wailed.“I’m sick.”
“I know, hon.”She took a quick inventory of the situation.From the looks of it, some of the ick had landed on her sweater and coat.“And throwing up is no fun.”She shrugged out of her coat and sweater, thankful for the long-sleeve T-shirt she’d worn underneath.She dropped the dirtied clothing by her feet and pulled Delilah close.“Is your tummy still achy?”
“I dunno.”She sniffed.“I wanna go home.”
“I’m sure you do.”She turned to find Cody and Braden watching, aghast, equal looks of distaste and horror on their face.At times like this, she was grateful for her job and her ability to compartmentalize sickness—in all its forms.When it was a child suffering, Maggie’s tolerance was infinite.“Let’s get her out of here, shall we?”
“You okay, Delilah?”Cody asked.“I don’t like throwing up, either.”
“It’s icky,” Delilah said between sobs.“I want my m-mommy.”
“I know you do, sweetie.”Maggie hugged her tighter and stood.“Your daddy is here.”
“I’m here, Delilah.”He reached out for her.
“Uh-uh.”She held tighter to Maggie.“I want Maggie.”
“Okay.”Braden tried to mask his hurt, but Maggie saw it—and felt it.
“She’s upset.”Maggie did her best to reassure him.“I’ve got more squish.Squish is comforting.”
“Ma does give real good hugs,” Cody agreed.
“Thank you, Cody.”Maggie smiled at her son, pleased that he was being so considerate of Braden and Delilah.
The four of them navigated their way from the stands to the parking lot.Delilah had stopped crying by the time they reached Braden’s truck, but she was still wriggling and moaning and holding on to her tummy.As soon as Braden had the truck open, he reached for Delilah again.
“No.”Delilah clung to Maggie.“Come with me.”
“Maggie has to go home and take care of Cody, Delilah.”Braden rubbed on her back.
“I want a mommy.”Delilah turned into Maggie’s neck.“Pwease.”
Maggie closed her eyes against the tug at her heart.“You’ve got the best daddy, sweetie.”She patted Delilah’s back, ignoring the stinging in her eyes.“He loves you so,somuch.He will hold on to you and rock you just like I am.And he’s even bigger and stronger so you’ll be twice as safe and secure.”
Delilah’s hold didn’t ease.
“I don’t have a dad, Delilah.You do.”Cody cleared his throat.“He wants to take care of you so you should let him.”
Maggie was blinking furiously to keep the tears away.She didn’t keep secrets from Cody.He knew his father, Ned Ralston, hadn’t been ready to be a parent.It was the truth and much kinder than saying Ned had taken off the minute he’d found out she was pregnant.But it hurt that he’d never reached out, in all the years since, to her or Cody.It wasn’t like Ned didn’t know where she was.He did.Before she got pregnant, he’d visited Tenacity once to meet her family.
You’ve missed out on so much.
