“I thought he seemed exceptionally bright.”
“He is. He didn’t start walking unaided until he was two, but he started to speak in two-and three-word sentences before his first birthday.”
“How old is he now?”
“Two and a half.”
“He’s very smart for his age.”
“Sometimes he’s a little too smart for his own good. And he tries to do more than he should, like running.”
“Well, he’s okay now,” Colin said.
“He’s okay now, but what about the next time?” she said.
“You just can’t think about that.”
“But I do. Constantly. I’m always on edge, always waiting for the other shoe to drop. For something really horrible to happen. He’s so small and fragile.”
“That isn’t want I see when I look at him.”
That surprised her. “No?”
“I see a kid who’s had it rough, but doesn’t let it slow him down. How many kids his age would take a tumble and hurt themselves, and not even cry?”
“He’s been through much worse.”
“Exactly. And I’m guessing that he just wants to be like the other kids, wants to be a normal little boy.”
“But he’s not.”
“That’s not the point.”
Was he trying to confuse her? “What is the point?”
“It isn’t how you see him, or anyone else, for that matter. It’s how he sees himself. I have scars all over my back, and titanium holding my left leg together, and yes, it’s limited me physically, but I’m still me. Who I am inside hasn’t changed.”
“Yeah, but Dylan’s health is in constant flux. Just recently he started having seizures. At first I was afraid to leave him for a second. When Tricia first came to get me, that’s what I assumed had happened.”
“Obviously it wasn’t.”
“No, which means the medication he’s on seems to be working. And his neurologist believes it’s something that he’ll outgrow.”
“That’s encouraging. As far as his other disabilities go, what’s his prognosis?”
“Well, he’ll never be completely steady on his feet, and will need occasional surgeries to lengthen the tendons in his ankles. His compromised immune system will always make him susceptible to certain illnesses. But if he eats well and takes care of himself, there’s no reason why he won’t lead a long and productive life. But it won’t always be easy for him. He’ll have to work harder than the average person.”
“Everyone has their cross to bear. We all have challenges. Like I said before, it’s all about accepting who you are. If you accept Dylan the way he is, he’ll learn to accept himself.”
She hoped so. “I know I’ve already said this, but thank you. I don’t even want to think about what I’d be doing right now, and putting Dylan through, if it wasn’t for you.”
Colin stroked her palm with his thumb and moved a little closer. “I know a way you could show your appreciation.”
“Colin…”
The protest died in her throat as he leveled that piercing gaze on her, flashed her a coaxing smile. “You know you want to. And we’re already here. Alone. Seems a shame to waste the opportunity.”
“You’re not playing fair,” she said, but she was already leaning in, anticipating the touch of his lips.
“Do I honestly strike you as the type to play fair?” he said, pulling her into his lap.
“Okay, but this is definitely the last time.”
Six
Colin cupped Rowena’s face in his hands and kissed her…and kissed her…and kissed her. But just like last night, he kept his hands in the safe zones, and so did she. The shoulders, the face. The middle of the back. And now she was thinking, if this was going to be the last time, maybe they could do a little more touching. Nothing too racy of course, just some on-top-of-the-clothes stuff.
Thinking that maybe she could get the ball rolling, she let her hand very casually slide from his shoulder down to his chest. His body heat seeped through his nylon shirt and she could feel the heavy thud of his heart.
Colin’s hand, which had been resting on her back just above her hip, suddenly went missing in action. Thinking he had taken the hint, she waited, heart pounding in anticipation, breath coming faster…then shuddering to an abrupt halt when his hand settled over hers, lifted it from his chest and set it back on his shoulder.
Okay, so maybe he hadn’t gotten the hint.
She waited a minute or so, so as not to appear too forward or, for that matter, desperate. But this time she only got as far as caressing the top of his pec before he intercepted her hand and he stopped kissing her.