The Forever Gift Read online

  “What do you mean?” He was all injured ego now.

  “Have you ever seen Disney’s movie Tangled?” When he shook his head, she said, “You ought to watch it then. There’s a charming thief in there called Flynn Rider who tries to pull a similar brooding look on Rapunzel. You remind me of him every time I see you do it.”

  “Are you saying I’m a caricature?”

  “Not you. Just this act you put on whenever you’re around women. I’ve seen you with the guys, and you’re totally different. I guess I’m not the kind of woman who’s . . .” Rae couldn’t think how to diplomatically finish the sentence.

  “Easily charmed?” he asked.

  “Look, Jason,” Rae put her elbows on the desk and leaned forward. “I work full time, and I’m a widow with two young children. They need me to be both mom and dad to them, and it takes everything I have to meet their needs. I have a different set of priorities from what I had when I was twenty. Brooding charmers don’t do anything for me. No offense.”

  “All right. I can accept that.” He leaned forward too and turned his head to watch her from the side. “What if I set aside the ‘brooding charmer’ as you call it?”

  “I’m not sure about dating someone from work. It has the potential to make things complicated here.”

  “You go out with Rademaker all the time,” Jason said.

  “That’s because we’re friends, and friends enjoy each other’s company. We’re not dating. Not that it’s any of your business if we were.” Rae had no idea why she’d said that last bit. It was almost like a part of her wanted to leave dating Dylan open as a possibility. Which was stupid.

  “I enjoy your company,” Jason said, leaning on her desk, the brooding look returning.

  “You’re doing it again.” She gave his elbow a push, and it slid off the desk, throwing him off balance. “That particular brooding expression was exactly like Edward Cullen in the first Twilight movie where he looked constipated.”

  That time, it was Jason who burst out laughing. At least he had a sense of humor.

  “Oh, love, I do so enjoy talking to you. Do you think your dear friend Dylan would be willing to watch your children so I can take you to dinner Friday?”

  Rae considered him for a second. Maybe he thought she was a challenge because she always resisted his attentions. If she went out with him once, he’d think he’d won and would move on to someone else. He always did. And she’d have peace.

  “You promise to drop the affectations?”

  “On my honor.” Jason crossed his heart.

  “All right. If Dylan’s busy, I’m sure Amelia could watch them.”

  “Excellent. Seven then.” Jason strode away.

  She’d have to find out which restaurant he planned to take her to, since she had no intention of telling him where she lived.

  “You’re here early,” Dylan said a few minutes later as he checked his schedule for the day.

  Rae explained about Preston’s doctor appointment. “Any word on Nora?”

  “No. If it’s like the last time, there won’t be unless it’s bad news.” Dylan took the seat by her desk and lowered his voice. “I talked to my father.” She looked at him expectantly, but he shook his head, saying, “He refuses to release the trust early.”

  “Did he say why?” Rae had met Lawrence Rademaker once; he was intimidating. While looking like a silver-haired version of Dylan, the older man was the opposite of his son in every other way. She suspected that was Dylan’s choice.

  “I didn’t ask him. I won’t give him an opportunity to tell me once again what a screw-up he thinks I am.”

  “I’m sorry.” She covered his hand with hers and gave it a sympathetic squeeze.

  “It’s only a matter of time.” Dylan glanced at the clock and jumped to his feet. “I need to get going. See you.” He headed toward the door.

  “Oh, before I forget. Can you watch my kids Friday night? I have a date.” Her face went hot. Why was she embarrassed to admit it to Dylan?

  He jerked his head around and met her gaze. For a second she saw a flash of something unexpected: Fear. Why would he be worried about it?

  “Not Ben . . .”

  “Oh, no. I think he and Cynthia will be an item soon, if they’re not already.” Rae swallowed. “I’m going out with Jason.”

  Dylan’s expression closed, and she had the strangest feeling, like she was cheating on him. She found she had to look away, which was stupid. She remembered that oddly intense moment a few weeks ago when she’d considered kissing him. No. They were friends. Just friends. She couldn’t allow herself to fall in love with him.

  “Sure, I can watch the kids,” he said. “I’d meant to suggest we go to the Game Center on Friday anyway. Jayden’s been bugging me to take him again.”

  “Now I feel bad. I’d like to have come.”

  “We’ll have to go without you.” Dylan said, his tone not quite normal, almost with a chilly edge. He flicked at something on his sleeve. “Or, you can tell Lee you’ve changed your mind. It’s not like he wouldn’t be able to find someone else to take instead of you.”

  And that was supposed to make her feel better at missing out? Rae watched him with narrowed eyes and rubbed at the sudden ache in her jaw. She almost never got angry with Dylan and didn’t want to fight with him over a stupid date with Jason.

  “Well, I came in early to get some work done,” Rae said as dismissively as she could. She turned back to her computer to signal she was busy, and he should leave. “Thanks for watching the kids for me.”

  It took all Dylan’s self-control not to stomp out of the office. Instead he paused to peek in Mr. G.’s office, but the man was on the phone. Dylan strode outside to his truck. Why had he let his hurt show like that? Seriously. Rae went on one date and then jumped in with Lee? What was wrong with her?

  Dylan cranked up the music in his truck. By the time he’d reached his first account, he was singing out his frustration. Immersed in the music, he stepped from the vehicle, singing about Ruby in the Kenny Rogers classic song. Still going through the lyrics, Dylan put on his equipment, wishing he could beg Rae not to go out with Jason.

  Working his way around the house, Dylan sang as he sprayed. How many times had they joked about the flirt-meister? Ever since Lee had first put a move on Rae. If it hadn’t been tough on her, it’d have been a funny moment. Dylan had been disappointed when Lee, discovering her husband had died, had backed off like any decent guy would have. Now for her to be going out with him, like she’d been waiting for enough time to pass, felt like the ultimate betrayal.

  Dylan had reached the final chorus in the song as he rounded to the front of the house again. He belted out the words, putting all his wishes and frustration into it. The final line died out as he ran out of breath.

  That was when the applause began. Startled, Dylan glanced around and found Mrs. Lapinski standing on her front step wearing a huge grin and clapping her hands, along with several other older ladies gathered around her. They rushed forward.

  “That was wonderful,” Mrs. Lapinski cried, taking his arm. “I’ve been telling them about you for months, and now they know I wasn’t exaggerating.”

  “Will you sing another?” one woman asked.

  “Please,” the others chimed together.

  “I can’t.” Dylan had started shaking like he always did as soon as he’d realized he’d had an audience. “I don’t have time. I have to get to my other accounts.” He backed up, grateful he’d finished spraying the house.

  Mrs. Lapinski held out her hand with the payment. He accepted it and prepared her receipt, all while the other ladies continued to plead with him for an encore. Shaking his head, he spun around and hurried to his truck. Dylan threw his equipment inside and jumped in. He drove away, not stopping until he was completely out of sight of her house.

  Taking his time, Dylan got out of the truck and stowed everything as he should have done before. He seriously needed to get a grip. If he were t
o lose Rae’s friendship because he threw a fit about her going out with Lee, it would all be on Dylan. He had to accept she was under no obligation to love him simply because he was in love with her.

  He pulled out his phone and sent her a quick text.

  Sorry. You know he bugs me, so it threw me that you’d go out with him. I’m not trying to tell you who you can date.

  Her reply was quick.

  Thank you. It’s a preemptive strike on my part.

  Dylan’s shoulders relaxed as understanding hit him. He grinned. What an idiot he’d been. He should have known Rae better than that.

  7

  I'll meet you at the restaurant. Where are we going?”

  Rae clicked Send on the text. She’d debated over and over again whether to have Jason pick her up in front of the apartment complex or meet him at the restaurant. Not that she thought he was a creep or anything. She knew from the girls at the office he was a decent guy, but he wasn’t interested in getting serious with anyone. Rae wouldn’t take a chance with her children’s safety in case she’d judged him wrong.

  “Preston and Beth, do you want to bring anything with you to Dillie’s?” Rae called as she put on her shoes. “Oh, and don’t forget your leftover tickets.”

  “Mama,” Preston said, coming into her room with a box of Legos, “how come you’re not coming with us?”

  He must have asked her that question a dozen times since she’d told him about the date. The joint one with Dylan had been easier; spending an evening with him had made sense to Preston. She’d tried to explain the concept of going somewhere with a man who wasn’t Dylan, but it’d either been too alien a concept for her son, or he’d refused to consider it.

  She’d sensed some resistance from him about it, and he’d asked her more than once why she was going on a date with a stranger when she could go on one with Dylan. If anything, her son’s attitude confirmed she’d have to keep any dating she did casual. She didn’t want her children to get attached to anyone who would, by necessity, have to move on.

  “I told you already. I’m going out to dinner with a man from work.” Rae picked up the diaper bag, now filled only with a change of clothes for both children. Beth had finally figured out potty training. Diapers were one thing Rae wouldn’t miss. “Come on you two.”

  “I don’t want you to go with him. I want you to come with us.” Preston stood in the middle of the living room still holding his box, his eyes narrowed, and his little jaw clenched.

  In many ways, he was an amenable child, a little rule-keeper in fact. Too often she had to chide him for tattling on Beth. All the time. When he felt strongly about something and dug in his heels, he could turn surprisingly stubborn. It seemed this was going to be one of those times.

  “Sweetheart, why don’t you want me to go on a date?” She knelt beside her sweet son, so they were on eye level.

  “Why don’t you go on a date with Dillie?”

  “Because we’re friends. We do things together all the time, but sometimes we do things with other people. I told you this is a date. It’s different from what I do with Dylan.”

  “Tricia said you should marry him.”

  It seemed Rae needed to have a word with her babysitter about putting ideas like this into Preston’s head. Then Rae paused, wondering what him Tricia had been referring to. It couldn’t be Jason, could it? Preston had been complaining about the date for a couple of days.

  “Jason is a nice guy at work who likes to date a lot of different women. He doesn’t have girlfriends, so don’t worry that I’ll marry him.”

  “Why don’t you marry Dillie?” Preston asked, his little face grave. “Don’t you love him?”

  “Yes, I love him. As a friend.” Rae rose, wishing it was still the truth. “Now let’s get you over to Jayden’s so you two can start having fun.”

  “I want you to marry Dillie,” her son muttered as she guided him toward the door.

  Ever since Amelia had gotten them to sign up for eRapport, Dylan had tried to mentally prepare himself for the time when Rae would date someone else. He’d even accepted it might be Jason. Dylan still wasn’t able to resign himself that her first solo date was going to be with the Asian Romeo.

  Standing in his doorway holding Beth and with the Littles at his side, Dylan watched Rae make her way down the stairs. Was that an extra skip to her step? Did the thought of going out with Lee excite her? The thought turned Dylan’s stomach. Why couldn’t she see how good they were together? They were already almost a family.

  The only thing that made him feel a little better was she’d refused to let the guy pick her up here. The last thing he wanted to deal with was Lee showing up on the landing outside of Dylan and Rae’s two apartments.

  He had no idea where Lee was taking her for dinner. It was probably just as well though, otherwise he might have been tempted to take the children there to spy on her.

  “Are we going to get pizza?” Preston asked.

  “Yes, little bud,” Dylan said, watching until Rae was out of sight.

  “And play games,” Jayden said.

  “Yes, both.” Dylan picked up Beth. “Let’s get you guys to the car so I can buckle you up.”

  He and Rae had transported each other’s kids so often they’d both invested in their own car seats for the threesome. As he walked to the car, each of the Littles clung to one of his belt hoops, something Amelia had suggested to him early on. Beth had her thumb in her mouth and held his ear with her other hand.

  It was one of the most precious things he’d ever experienced, this little girl using his ear like a security blanket. He loved these three children. What if Rae married one of those guys from the dating site, and her new husband didn’t treat her kids right?

  Dylan wouldn’t think about it. As much as he might wish they were his children, they weren’t. He had to trust that Rae wouldn’t allow herself to be swept away by a loser.

  Once he had the children buckled into their car seats, he drove to the gaming center. It was busy, and he hoped he hadn’t taken on more than he could handle. He was outnumbered, three to one, after all, and little Beth had a way of taking off if he glanced away even for a second. They’d lined up to order their pizza, when two familiar faces walked in the door. He sighed in relief.

  “Auntie Amelia,” the Littles cried while Beth stretched out her arms to them, her little fingers wiggling.

  Grinning, his coworker took the little girl and snuggled her close. It brought home again to Dylan how hungry Beth was for a grandmother figure in her life. Rae’s mother had died when she was a teen, and Mike’s parents lived out of state, so Beth didn’t have a grandmother who lived close by. Once again, he felt grateful for this loving couple who’d stepped up to fill that role for Rae’s kids and Jayden.

  “This isn’t where I imagined you two would go on a Friday night date night,” Dylan said to her husband, Micah.

  “Of course, it isn’t,” the large man said, using his long beard to tickle Beth’s cheek and making her giggle. “But when I heard Rae was going out and you had babysitting duty, I thought we should come help you out. We raised four children, so I understand what it’s like. Even good kids this age are a lot to handle. We decided to brave the awful pizza and come have some fun with the children.” He leaned closer to Dylan and lowered his voice, “It’s hard on Amelia having most of the grandkids living out of state, so getting to tend these three helps fill her need.”

  “I’ll bet.” Dylan said to Amelia, “Thank you both for taking pity on me. I don’t think I’d have lost any of them, but I appreciate the extra eyes.”

  “I’m sure.” She patted his cheek, and Beth did the same thing. Amelia said, “I also thought you could use the moral support. We did consider going out to dinner somewhere else. You know where.” She shot him a knowing glance.

  “Really?” he asked, surprised.

  “I told her it was too obvious, and it’d have made Rae mad.” Micah indicated the order clerk, and Dylan turne
d around.

  “What will you have, sir?” the bored-looking teen asked.

  As Dylan placed his order, he considered his own temptation to sneak in to spy on the date and was glad he’d decided against it. It would have ticked off Rae. When Micah had placed his order, the group went in search of a table. They found one just being vacated not far from the play area.

  “I’ll keep this little lady entertained over there before the pizza comes.” Amelia pointed to a section designed with toddlers in mind. “You two can take the boys for the more adventurous rides.”

  Dylan held out a hand to each of the Littles, but Jayden took Micah’s, while Preston took his. The older man wasn’t much of a talker. Dylan didn’t have to worry about making conversation while his thoughts were on Rae, wondering whether or not she was having fun. Unfortunately, the image of Lee kissing her pressed itself on Dylan’s mind. Surely she wouldn’t let him.

  Amelia finally signaled them to return for the pizza. It took a little struggle to get the boys away from the rides and back to the table.

  “I really think you don’t have anything to worry about with Jason,” Amelia said softly while the Littles chattered together.

  “I understand what you’re saying, but I’ve also known guys who’d dated around a lot until they met one woman and then decided it was time to settle down.” Dylan heaved out a breath.

  “Yes, my Micah was like that.” Amelia gave her husband a tender look.

  “She didn’t know I was biding my time for her to be free. It wouldn’t have been a good thing to steal a man’s wife from him, even if he was a jerk and deserved to have his—”

  “Micah,” Amelia broke in, glancing at the children.

  “Well, he did. And I think the good Lord would forgive me for wanting to give that man an attitude adjustment.” When she glowered at him, he shrugged. “Say what you will, but we both know He uses our hands to do His will. I’m merely saying my hands were ready and willing.”