Nick found comfort in seeing his dad in that way. As time passed, he accepted his father could only come at night and his grief subsided.
Sarah looked at Margaret and very quietly stated, “Nick doesn’t have nightmares. I encourage him to talk about Sean whenever he wants. To Nick, his daddy is alive somewhere and plays with him in his dreams. I will not allow you, or anyone else, to make him feel that it’s wrong in any way. The doctor and everyone else said he would forget Sean. I don’t want that, and neither should you. So, if he says that his father told him he misses you, then you can believe it. Nick believes it.”
Margaret pressed a hand to her chest, the flood of emotions reflected in her eyes, making her breath unsteady. “He looks just like Sean. More now than when he was a baby. I miss Sean, too.”
Sarah almost hadn’t heard the last sentence. She took another slow breath. “I know you don’t want me here. But I brought your grandsons to see you and spend time with you in hopes that we could put the past behind us.”
Margaret’s eyes narrowed. “Never. You took Sean from me, but you won’t keep the boys from me anymore.” Margaret dismissed her with a glare and slowly went back up the stairs. She excused herself from her guest and made her goodbyes before going inside.
Sarah didn’t even rate an introduction because she wasn’t important.
She would always be the one who kept Sean away, and now the boys.
She didn’t do it on purpose. Life had to go on, and she had to provide a good life for her sons, which left very little time for herself.
She was beginning to see that her responsibilities were wearing her down. She could seriously use a nap and a few days alone with nothing to do.
Wishful thinking.
Sarah stared up at the house, wondering what she had gotten herself into, completely aware of Margaret’s guest’s penetrating gaze and the temptation building inside her to look at him and take in again the imposing but intriguing man.
Chapter Four
Luke took in the entire scene from the porch riveted by the contrasts. Margaret angrier than he’d ever seen her. Sarah, calm and warm with her boys, nothing like he expected. Margaret described her as cold, calculating, and selfish. None of that matched anything he saw in the tired woman’s appearance, eyes, or attitude.
Exhaustion hung on her like a heavy pack weighing her down. She kept up a good front, but he noticed the dark circles under her eyes and the way she stood not quite straight, her shoulders lax.
Petite compared to him, maybe five-foot-four, with long dark hair shot through with strands of red that fired in the sunlight. It looked so soft and silky, he wanted to run his fingers through it like her son had done. Her flawless skin didn’t have an ounce of makeup. Nothing needed to enhance her natural beauty, especially her red lips that even at rest held the hint of a smile.
She radiated a warmth that seemed to wrap around him.
She didn’t flaunt that lithe body and soft curves with revealing clothes. She seemed perfectly comfortable and at ease in her skin.
Everything, all of her, woke up his hibernating libido. And like a hungry bear, he wanted to feast on her.
Shaken by the sudden desire, he kept his outside impassive, despite the quake erupting inside him.
He’d lost interest in women over the years. At thirty-four, he was tired of always coming close to having something real only to have the illusion evaporate before his eyes when his name and business became more appealing than him to the woman in his life. He’d had the misfortune to fall for a couple of women who seemed sincere at the start but turned out to be opportunistic, leaving him feeling used, unhappy, unsatisfied, and like he’d failed to make the relationship what he wanted.
His parents and younger brother made love, family, and happiness look so easy.
Not so much for him.
So after getting burned one too many times he kept his interactions with women superficial and short-lived. He tired of dating. He tired of life in general. Boredom had been his constant companion as of late.
Sarah intrigued him.
But if she turned out to be the woman Margaret described . . .
He wasn’t so sure because he expected an overly done up woman with perfect hair and makeup in an expensive outfit and overpriced shoes, dripping diamonds, not the woman standing in the driveway wearing Levi’s, a simple tee, and well-worn tennis shoes.
He walked down the stairs and found a safe topic to break the ice. “Cute boys.”
Sarah startled when he spoke and her gaze landed full on him. Those brown-sugar eyes did something to his gut.
“Um, thank you. I’m Sarah. I believe my mother-in-law forgot to introduce us.” Her voice was like a slow song you never wanted to end.
“I think she overlooked it.” Luke couldn’t get over her delicate beauty. He simply enjoyed looking at her.
He caught himself staring before she noticed.
She quirked a brow and studied him with a look, clearly meant to signal an attempt at levity. “Are you the next contestant to become husband number four?”
The unexpected laugh that absurd joke evoked caught in his throat when she smiled right at him. All that warmth and humor directed right at him. Damn. “Don’t believe the rumors clogging the local grapevine.” His voice sounded harsher than he intended, but he was out of practice at being lighthearted and making jokes.
Sarah gave him a mischievous look. “I think she could give you a run for your money. After all, she’s had a lot of practice, having had three previous husbands who couldn’t keep up with her. I’m sure she’ll keep you on your toes.” She winked to let him know she was truly teasing.
Luke laughed out loud. When was the last time he laughed like that? “First of all, Margaret’s a great woman, but we are not an item. Second, I could be her son.”
The smile vanished from Sarah’s face and it looked as if a curtain had been drawn in those beautiful brown eyes.
Yeah, he needed to polish his rusty social skills.
“Excuse me, I have to check on my boys.”
Sarah sidestepped to go around him, but he blocked her way. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I see there’s bad blood between the two of you regarding Sean, but I didn’t mean anything by what I said. I’m sorry.”
The urge to touch her, offer some comfort to make her believe he meant it, overtook him, but he locked in his control once again. He hoped he could back up without crushing her to him. His whole body begged to pull this woman close.
Sarah’s rosy lips tilted in a small smile. “I accept your apology. I’m tired and a little on edge.”
He nodded, glad the tense moment had passed. “Can I help you get your luggage from the car?”
“I can manage.”
“I’m sure you can, but it wouldn’t be very neighborly of me not to assist.”
She stretched sideways and pressed a fist to her lower back. “If you don’t mind, I’d appreciate the help.”
“How much does that little guy weigh?”
“I think thirty-six pounds at his last pediatric visit. Maybe a bit more. My back says more.” She rolled her shoulders and grimaced.
Damn. Her tight jeans and pink top concealed the strength of her slight frame.
She opened the back of the SUV, revealing three suitcases, a backpack, and two large computer cases. “Did you enjoy the drive down?”