Christian took the keys only. “I got it. Do you want us to come by and pick you up or can you handle the truck?”

Her lips pursed. “I’m a native Tennessee girl. I can drive a truck, Chris.”

He winked. “I know. You called the day care. They know I’m coming?”

“Yes. You’ll need your ID.”

“I got it. And you’ll be home about six-thirty?”

“Around there. The house key is on the ring, too.”

“We’ll be there.” He reached across the desk and took her hand, giving it a squeeze. “Anything else I can help you with?”

Her eyes had gone soft now when she looked at him. This was a good sign. “No. I can’t thank you enough.”

“You don’t have to. I’m here for the long term.”

He didn’t give her a chance to argue. He turned around and walked out to the parking lot to maneuver the vehicles so that his truck was parked for her and he could take the aging minivan to the gas station and then pick up the kids.

A smile formed on his lips. Never in a million years did he think this would be the highlight of his life—but it was.

Victoria could smell him in his truck—feel him. It was more than just his cologne. There was a bottle of water in the cup holder and a Gatorade bottle in the seat next to her. A hard hat and a pair of muddy work boots were on the rubber floor mat behind her seat, no doubt something he used when he was on a site.

The thought interested her. He didn’t talk about working for Zach and Ed much. It wasn’t what he’d wanted to do with his life, but the accident had landed him there. His baseball career was only a dream now. Even the opportunity he’d once had coaching seemed to have slipped away.

But he did mention that Sam had his father’s arm. Maybe someday he could coach Sam—and Ali. Her gut twisted and she set her hand on her stomach. Or even his own son could play ball with him.

It was as if for the first time she noticed the tightness of her stomach. His child grew inside of her and she’d yet to tell him. He’d been so wonderful stepping in and they were really a family, why hadn’t she decided it was okay to tell him yet?

Another feeling washed through her as she started up the massive truck. She loved him. Well she knew she always had, but she was in love with this man that had just recently come back into her life—the man who doted on the kids and on her.

The fear that he might turn her away when he learned about the baby was suddenly diminishing.

She had another doctor’s appointment in a week and the doctor had said they’d take a peek to see how everything was going. Maybe she’d see if she could get one of those sonogram pictures to give him. If he could see what they’d created together it would be better. Yes, that’s what she would do.

Victoria backed out of the parking lot with a renewed sense of purpose. She wanted Christian back, and not just as a promise to the kids. She wanted him back in her life. She wanted him to be the father to his child that he’d want to be.

She expelled a long breath. She wanted him as her husband. Maybe she’d just ask him.

Chapter Eighteen

The house was quiet when Victoria walked through the door. But the smell that filled her nose was delightful. She set her purse on the couch and walked to the kitchen. The oven light was on and there was chicken baking, a salad in a bowl, and rolls cooling on the counter. The sound of laughter came from the back yard.

She looked out the window to see Ali pushing Sam around the yard in the little red car his father had bought him for his first birthday. Tears stung her throat. What would his parents think of how he was turning out?

The moment had drawn her in and she never even heard Christian walk into the kitchen. She didn’t even know he was there until he walked up behind her and slid his arms around her.

She jumped, but he didn’t let go. He kept his arms around her, as if it was the natural thing to do between them—and once it had been.

She knew it was much too early to feel the baby move, but she swore that the energy that resonated between Chris and her stomach was a connection. It was magic.

He rested his chin on her shoulder. “They are happy, good kids.”

“They are.”

“You’re doing a great job.”

“I’ll never replace them though—their parents.”

“No but we can keep their spirit alive. We both loved them and we can make sure those kids know who they were and how much they loved them.”

She turned around in his arms and his hands rested on her waist. It was too intimate to put her arms around his neck, so she held on to the counter. “I don’t want to do this without you anymore.”

“You don’t have to.”

“Are you scared?”

“More than you can imagine.” He raised his hand and tucked her hair behind her ear. “But that’s what it’s all about, right? Each day is an adventure and you never know what will happen.”

“I can’t let you stay around them if at some point you find that it’s too much and you want to leave.”

He shook his head and his hand rested on her cheek. “Never again. I’ll never let you down again.” He moved in closer until their bodies were pressed together.

His eyes had gone darker, just like the night she’d stayed with him in the hotel. The fire which ignited under his touch burned through her. Should she tell him about the baby now? Would he accept her silence about it and understand why she waited?

He didn’t move in any closer or try to kiss her, but she thought that the look in his eyes said he’d want to.

But then the back door opened and the quick steps of little feet and hard breath had him stepping away.

“Auntie, come see! Come see!”

Both kids hurried to her and took a hand leading her to the back yard.

Out on the back patio was a new planter full of flowers. Every color and kind was represented. “We planted these for you.”

“For me?”

“Yes. Me and Sam picked them all out. All but this one.” She pointed to a grouping of pink daisies. “Chris picked those out for you.”

Victoria swallowed back the tears that stung in her throat. Damn, why did everything make her want to cry lately?

“You did this for me?”

“The kids did.” He winked. “We wanted to do something special for you.”