Page 105 of Guarding Over You
“I don’t know much other than you’re divorced. Blaze isn’t one to get too in depth with things unless he feels the need for it.”
That was good to know. “There is some drama with it, but then a lot of people have that with kids in a divorce. Blaze has been wonderful. Very patient with me and Gracie.”
“He’s good that way. Of all my kids, I’d say he’s got the most patience and the greatest amount of empathy. It’s what makes him a wonderful doctor.”
“I’ve seen him in action. He’s in control at all times, firm when he needs to be, but most times... empathic. He’s got the touch.”
And one that had slipped into her life so easily it felt as if it just naturally belonged there all along.
32
ALWAYS BELONGED THERE
“Did you have fun today?” Blaze asked Gracie when they were close to home.
“That was the best. And Clay said I can pick apples in a few weeks. I like apples. Can I get more donuts when I go back, Mom?”
Arden turned to look at him in the SUV. “I think that’s what she’s more excited about. But we’ve got a lot of fruit to eat and use so it doesn’t go bad.”
“My mother told you how to freeze some of it, right?”
“She did. I’ll be doing that with the blueberries so we can make muffins in a few weeks. We’ll eat the peaches and pears we picked. We didn’t get a lot, but I think I can cut some up and put them on pancakes or French toast. You’d like that, right, Gracie?”
“Yes,” Gracie said in the back seat, her hand covering her yawn.
He was thrilled the visit went so well.
His father came out when they were in the garden and showed Gracie all the vegetables, then told her how great they taste fresh picked. Letting Gracie pick the green beans that hismother cooked for dinner got the little girl to gobble them right up, along with the lettuce and cucumbers that went into the salad.
Clay coming out when they were at the fruit trees and explaining them relaxed Gracie some so that she wasn’t tucked behind his leg like she’d been the first day he’d met her months ago.
Ford had met them in the chicken coop and showed Gracie how he got the eggs in the mornings as a kid. Let her reach in for a few that he’d left there knowing of their visit.
Gale came last with Rory, and he never worried about a problem there. Gale could talk to anyone and she loved kids, so she told stories of how she worked in the gardens and the cafe as a child also.
The fact Gracie was asking to go back couldn’t have worked out any better in his mind.
They were fitting into his life as if they’d always belonged there.
He’d have it no other way.
“Someone looks tired,” he said.
It was only six thirty. Too early for Gracie to go to bed, as much as he would like some time alone with Arden.
But they’d had yesterday and he couldn’t ask for more than that.
Well, he could. He could ask for a lot more days like that but wouldn’t. Even if Gracie were around, he’d like them to be in his life more. Where he didn’t feel as if they were sneaking every little moment.
For a man who rushed little in his life, he felt as if he wanted to put a jetpack on and slam his hand on the power button.
“Can I ride my bike?” Gracie asked. “It’s still early, right?”
“You can,” Arden said. “Just for a little bit.” She turned to look at him. “Mind walking around with us?”
“I’d like that.”
They pulled into her driveway, and he shut off his SUV so he could get the car seat out for her. Maybe he should just get one to keep in his car. It wasn’t as if it was a big deal. He didn’t think Arden would think he was rushing if he did.
