Page 66 of Guarding Over You
“We know. And now there is a single mom with one who is close to your house.”
“How do you know she’s single?”
“Because she doesn’t have a ring on and you’d never put anyone in a position where rumors could start unless there is a possibility of something more. It goes back to what Erika said about being protective. You’d shield her by being distant if she was married.”
There was no use arguing what was true.
“Can you do me a favor then?”
“You want me not to start the conversation like I did today?” Maddy asked.
He pointed his finger at her, sent her a charming smile and then turned back to his patients to her laughter.
Again, gave it all away without words, but it was the best he could do.
21
BEEN THERE FOR HER
“Got any plans this weekend, Arden?”
She looked up from where she was typing in the rest of her case notes for the week to see Michaela smiling at her after she’d asked that question.
She didn’t normally chat too much with her coworkers, finding it easier to keep to herself.
Her life had enough drama in it and the last thing she needed was anyone to think it was affecting her job, or she was stirring up office trouble by being distracted.
“No. Gracie is going to spend the night at her grandparents’ tomorrow so it will be nice to get some things done around the house without her underfoot.”
Like finish breaking down all the packing boxes. One by one she’d brought boxes from the garage to the basement, even pushing a few down the stairs if they didn’t need to be unpacked on the main floor.
Mostly decorations she’d accumulated over the years, old clothes or toys of Gracie’s that she didn’t want to get rid of. She always thought she’d have another child but then told herself itmight not be worth holding onto that hope with the way life was going.
The one bright spot was Blaze.
And though her body was telling her it was time to feel like a woman again and her heart was jogging close by, she knew her emotional feelings would take longer to fully develop.
They were getting there though.
It was hard not to with the way Blaze checked in on her and Gracie. Stopped over to say hi, brought cookies last night that he’d picked up at his mother’s cafe.
That was one sure way to win her daughter over!
“Are you done setting everything up in the house? I know when Ryan and I moved a few years ago, it felt as if we were never settled. I still don’t feel it and I wonder if it has more to do with this being the house he wanted and not me. So I can’t relax enough to make it my own.”
She pursed her lips. “I never thought of that. That’s how my apartment felt after I split with my ex. I knew it was never mine and couldn’t quite relax.”
“I never could make an apartment mine either,” Michaela said.
“I’m doing it with this house. Slowly. I painted first and that helped. Anything major will have to wait. Gracie loves her room, so if she’s content then so am I.”
“That’s great. I hope when our little one comes they feel comfortable in their room too.”
Michaela rested her hand on her belly. “Are you pregnant?”
“I am. Nine weeks. We are just telling people.”
“That’s wonderful. I’m so happy and excited for you.”
