Custody for Two. Karen Smith Rose

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      “Does Barb work?”

      “No, she’s always been available for the kids, helping out at the school. But…”

      “But?”

      “She’s volunteered to take care of Timmy for me once he’s out of the hospital…once I go back to work.”

      “You’re making plans.” Dylan’s voice was low as he realized how Shaye’s life was going to change.

      “I have to. I have to believe everything will work out. I don’t know how long Timmy will be in the hospital. After he comes home I’ll take a couple of months off and then go back about thirty hours a week for a while.”

      Suddenly he thought about Timmy’s inheritance and what that could mean to Shaye. “Timmy will inherit everything of Julia’s and Will’s.” He watched her carefully to gauge her reaction.

      “Yes, he will. But all of that will go into an account for his education. I don’t want to touch it.”

      After Dylan thought that over, he asked, “Has Will’s mother been to the hospital to see Timmy? I know her arthritis limits her mobility.”

      “She was in this morning, but it’s so painful for her to look at him. She remembers everything she’s lost. She’ll be returning to Nebraska right after the service. I promised her I’d call her often to let her know how Timmy is doing.”

      Dylan knew he had to bring up what he’d been thinking and feeling. “I don’t know if it’s right for me to let you do this. I’m Timmy’s uncle and he should be my responsibility.”

      Shaye’s face went pale. “A child has to be more than a responsibility, and I think Julia knew that. She also knew I love children and I’d cherish one of my own—not just feel responsible. Eventually, I’m going to file for adoption, but not until Timmy’s healthy and everything’s on an even keel. I want to be Timmy’s mother.”

      Something else had been bothering Dylan. “Are you involved with anyone?” He didn’t care if the question sounded blunt because he needed to know. A beautiful woman like Shaye certainly didn’t sit alone on her free nights.

      “No, I’m not,” she answered easily. “I can give all my time and attention to Timmy. You don’t have to worry about that.”

      “I wasn’t worried. I was more concerned your significant other wouldn’t be able to accept a child not his flesh and blood.” He couldn’t bear to leave Timmy in a situation like that.

      “I’m not involved with anyone,” she said again.

      “Surely, you date.”

      “Actually, I don’t very much. My work takes up a lot of my time…at least, it did before Timmy. And I socialize with my good friends on weekends, or with my family. I have a full life, Dylan. I don’t need a man in it.”

      “You don’t need a man in it, or you don’t want a man in it?” Now his interest was piqued. Was Shaye just a typical modern woman who could find happiness on her own? Or was there a reason behind her independence?

      She pushed her plate back and crossed her arms in front of her on the table. “You’re fishing. What do you want to know?”

      In spite of himself, Dylan had to smile. He liked Shaye’s up-front attitude. “I’m wondering if you had a bad experience that made you create your life the way it is.”

      When she tucked her silky hair behind one ear, the wave of it curled on her shoulder. “I was involved with someone when I was in college. It didn’t end well.”

      If he wasn’t careful, he knew she’d clam up and not tell him more. “When you were an undergrad?” he asked.

      “No, when I was working on my master’s degree. He was a guest lecturer—an archeologist.”

      Sensing Shaye wouldn’t go on unless he poked a bit, he did. “He wanted you to leave Wild Horse Junction with him, but you wanted to stay here.”

      “Not exactly. I loved him. I thought we were building something important. I would have gone with him if he had asked. But he didn’t ask. He received a grant for a dig in India, and he didn’t even consider taking me with him.”

      “Maybe he guessed you wouldn’t be happy.”

      “I never had a chance to find out…because apparently his feelings for me weren’t as deep as mine were for him.”

      Although Shaye had recounted her story as if it were old history, Dylan could hear the refrain of betrayal that ran through it—the pain that had never completely gone away.

      “How about you?” she asked.

      He’d left himself wide open for that one. “My life hasn’t been conducive to serious involvement.”

      “But it is to non-serious involvement?”

      The hint of disapproval in the question had him watching how he answered. “Even a wanderer needs company besides his camera now and then.” Though truth be told, that kind of company wore thin and he’d rather be alone or trekking after a photograph he’d never taken before.

      As if his answer disturbed her, Shaye restlessly rearranged her silverware, stood and picked up the plate of brownies on the counter. When she brought them over to the table, she set them in front of him.

      “Not interested?” he asked with a half-smile.

      “I don’t give in to chocolate cravings often because I know it’s habit-forming.”

      “I admire your willpower.”

      “I’m not sure willpower has anything to do with it.” She smiled back. “I’m just vain.”

      “I doubt that.”

      She looked up at him, surprised. “Why would you say that?”

      “Because selfish people are vain, and I already know that you’re not selfish.”

      Her cheeks took on some color. Leaning away from him and their conversation, she began to clear the table. “We’d better get back to Timmy. I don’t want to be gone too long.”

      “Neither do I.” Timmy was the only essence of Julia he had left. Seeing him made losing Julia even more real. But seeing him also reminded Dylan the baby was an essential part of his sister that he could hold on to.

      Dylan’s deep, heartfelt words turned Shaye to face him once again. Their gazes locked and held. A vision of holding Shaye in his sleeping bag under the stars was so incredibly real, he ached to do it. His physical response was so strong that he set his brownie back on the plate. It seemed the pain he was experiencing over the loss of his sister was rebounding into an attraction to Shaye.

      Breaking eye contact, he muttered, “I think I’ll skip dessert, too.” She obviously knew what was good for her. Dylan reminded himself what was good for him. While he was in Wild Horse Junction, Timmy was his main concern…his only concern.

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