“What?” she asked as she stroked Whit’s cheek. “You think he’ll get beat up on the playground with a name like Whit?”
Kendry shook his head. “Nah, we’ll teach him self-defense tactics so he can take up for himself. He’ll never have to worry about being called Ken-Dry or Ken-Doll.”
“Or Jar-Head,” Jared said with a chuckle.
“Or Elvis Presley Ann,” she said with a giggle. “Kids will always find reasons to be jerks, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“So what was ‘the look’ for? Think he’s exceptionally handsome?” she asked, doing her best to keep the moment light as all the embarrassing things her aunt had said in their presence replayed in her mind.
Kendry shook his head and said, “No. We think you make beautiful babies. He’s got to be the prettiest baby I’ve ever seen.”
“Thanks. Please, sit down. I’m so sorry you had to hear all those things my aunt said.”
Jared leaned forward in his chair and she could see the indignation still burning in his eyes. “She shouldn’t talk to you like that.”
Looking down at Whit, she said, “Guys, there was a kernel of truth in what she said. Before this little guy came into my life I was a self-centered Daddy’s girl. He’s taken care of me all my life, until recently. She’s right. I’m spoiled.”
“Funny, you sure don’t act it,” Jared said. “Everyone has a right to a past.”
Heat filled her cheeks once more as she said, “Depending on whom you asked, people would tell you that I deserved the way she spoke to me. But I appreciate that you defended me, both of you.” She turned Whit so that he lay swaddled in her lap and stroked his cute baby nose, marveling as he wrapped his tiny hand around her finger.
Jared touched Whit’s foot through the blanket. “I wasn’t saying that for your aunt’s benefit.”
“He meant it, Presley Ann,” Kendry affirmed. “We both did.”
She looked up at them while continuing to stroke her son’s hand. “You barely know me. You’re incredibly protective gentlemen, and I find that endearing, but I don’t think you’d feel the same if you knew me better. I’m…”
“You’re what?” Jared asked in a quiet husky tone. “Not good enough? Too complicated. A bad risk?”
Heat traveled up her neck and she blinked hard as she nodded. “I wouldn’t hurt you for the world.” She looked up at them through teary eyes and mentally cursed her hormones as she whispered, “Can’t we leave it at that?”
Kendry traded a look with his brother and then pulled his chair a little closer as he settled those gray-blue eyes on her and the baby. “For now, yes. We didn’t mean to upset you.”
Blotting at her tears, she tried to laugh but it came out more like a croak. “I’ve read that new mothers can be very emotional because of all the hormones. I’m finding out firsthand.”
The understanding in their eyes was a precious gift, which she wanted to somehow return to them. “I think all three of us are worried about the same thing, namely not hurting each other. I’ll be fine, I promise.”
Kendry said, “Can I ask just one thing, though? Is Whit’s father still in your life?”
Surprised they hadn’t already heard through the gossip mill, she shook her head. “Whit’s father isn’t…isn’t in his life. I don’t know where he is.” Or who… Shame mingled with regret, twisting like a knot in her chest, and she prayed that they asked no more questions.
Jared nodded and Kendry’s posture relaxed but his shoulders and chest seemed broader as he took a deep breath and let it out.
She frowned. They were relieved about that?
Evidently realizing the way she could take their reactions to her plight, Kendry said, “We don’t want you to think we’re happy that you’re on this road alone. Please don’t be offended.”
Jared sighed and shook his head. His mesmerizing pale blue-gray gaze held hers. “What we’d really like to know, is whether there’s another man in our way.”
“In your…way?” she said, her eyebrows nearly reached her hairline. Her inner devil pointed out that, although she was out of commission, Jared’s alpha tone was a total turn-on.
Because she didn’t know what to say after that, she changed the subject. “Thank you for the roses. They’re beautiful. You shouldn’t have gone to such expense.”
“It was our pleasure,” Jared murmured. “Could I hold him?”
It was a perfectly normal request but it floored her. He wanted to hold another man’s baby? “Of course.”