She shook her head. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I went fifteen rounds with a prizefighter. Everything aches. Even my hair aches.”
“I know! Mine did, too.”
“Spare me a few ibuprofen?”
“Of course. Go get back into bed. I’ll bring them to you.”
Colin ruffled Dylan’s hair. “You’re going to have to let go, buddy.”
“Dylan, honey, Colin is very sick.”
“Like Mommy was?”
“That’s right. And Colin took care of Mommy, so Mommy is taking care of him. Do you understand?”
He nodded enthusiastically, but there was no way to be sure if he really understood.
“Why don’t you play in your bedroom for a while?”
He dutifully toddled off to his room while Rowena got Colin pills and fresh water. He was back in bed when she stepped into the bedroom, but he was sitting up. He’d dropped his pants on the floor, and the covers were pulled up to his waist.
“You slept on the couch last night?”
She sat on the edge of the mattress and gave him the pills. “Yeah.”
He swallowed the pills and set the glass on the table beside the bed. “You didn’t have to.”
“I know.”
“I feel selfish, as if I’ve driven you out of your own bed.”
“It’s okay.”
“So what happened with Dylan?”
“He’s been nagging me incessantly since he was two to get a big-boy bed, and apparently he ran out of patience, because now that he can climb out of his crib, I have to get him one.”
“Why?”
“Because now that he knows he can do it, he’ll keep doing it. And not only could he hurt himself, but God knows what he’ll get into while I’m asleep.”
“Isn’t there a way you could lock him in his room?”
“I suppose I could install a baby gate. But there’s still the problem of putting him in a big-boy bed. I’m so afraid he’ll fall out and hurt himself.”
“Don’t they make little beds for smaller children?”
“Yes, they have a crib mattress that sits very low to the floor. He calls those a baby bed. He wants a twin-size mattress, but he moves around so much when he sleeps, I’m worried he’ll roll right off.”
“Why don’t you start by putting a mattress on the floor? That way, if he falls off, he won’t have very far to go. If he doesn’t, then you know he’s ready for a bigger bed.”
He was a genius! “That’s a great idea. What made you think of it?”
Colin shrugged. “It just seemed like the logical solution.”
It was so logical that she couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought of it herself. “I’m definitely going to try that.”
Colin yawned and closed his eyes.
“Tired?” she asked, and he nodded. “Did you want something to eat before Dylan and I head downstairs?”
“Downstairs?”
“It’s Monday. I have to work.”
“I completely forgot what day it was. And no, nothing right now, but thank you.”
“On my way out I’ll ask Betty to check on you occasionally, and I’m going to keep my cell phone on me, so call if you need anything.”
“I will.”
She started to rise and he grabbed her hand.
“Thank you,” he said.
Something about the way he said it, the tone of voice, the sincerity in his eyes, made her chest feel tight. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Feel better.”
She was almost out the door when Colin said, “Rowena?”
She turned back to him.
“I meant it when I said you’re a good mum.”
She tried to be. And it was nice to hear someone say it every so often. “Thanks.”
She knew it was considered archaic and old-fashioned by many young women, but she had no grand career aspirations. Taking care of Dylan, being there for him, was the only “career” she needed. It was a full-time job, and one she could take great pride in. If she ever did settle down, it would be with someone who shared those values. If that man even existed.
Eleven
Colin wasn’t there when Rowena got home from work at six that evening.
“Where are you?” she asked when he answered his phone.
“I’m sleeping in my suite tonight and I thought it would be best for Dylan if I wasn’t there when you got home from work.”
“Thanks for being so understanding.”
“He’s your son. He has to come first. Besides, I’m feeling better already.”
“Did you eat?”
“Betty brought me a tray.”
“If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to call.”