Just then, the black-haired baby, a boy, judging by his clothing, turned and made eye contact with Jayne. Piercing blue eyes, black arching brows, and high cheekbones. The mirror image of Seth. Seth’s son. He gurgled and grinned, then glanced at the woman and grew still. Wary.
“Is Seth at home?” Her accent was definitely Texan, but she spoke with a frosty air that hinted at education in a loftier environment. “I need to speak with him privately.” Emphasis on the last word as though making sure Jayne understood. A cab waited at the curb.
“No, but he should be here any moment.”
The throaty roar of Seth’s Harley sounded from up the block, and Jayne wasn’t sure if she was relieved or not. Knowing a small piece of their history, Jayne couldn’t find it in her heart to correct her lapse in not inviting Tamar into Seth’s house.
Tamar turned at the sound, but the baby, who appeared to be about a year old, kept his gaze on Jayne. He seemed to be eyeing her hair and then he smiled at her. Her face was frozen, or she might’ve returned his smile. As if she were listening through a tunnel, over the sound of her own breathing, she could hear the rhythmic thud of Seth’s boots on the hot cement drive. He came around to the front walk and froze when he looked up and saw Tamar on his doorstep.
Regally, she turned to him and sighed. “Can I come in please? We need to talk.”
No “Hello,” no “Surprise!” Instant hatred for Tamar ripped through Jayne as she took in the utter, complete shock on Seth’s face when he looked from Tamar to the baby. She watched as he grew even paler. He had no idea. Seth shifted his gaze beyond them and made eye contact with Jayne. The pleading in his eyes touched her heart. She didn’t know what Tamar was up to, but she was sure that Seth was just as surprised as she was.
Breaking the spell, Tamar stamped one elegantly shod foot. “Hello! Visitor on your doorstep!”
Jayne started as though she’d been shocked, turned, and walked like an automaton to the kitchen counter. Tamar followed her in and stood in the entryway as Seth passed her. Jayne placed her phone in her purse and searched for her keys with trembling hands. Before she made a fool out of herself, she had to get out of there. She wanted to gouge Tamar’s eyes out for doing that to Seth.
Seth’s hand was tentative on her lower back as he whispered, “I didn’t know she was coming, Jayne—I had no idea that she…”
Jayne looked up at him, not turning her face so Tamar could see her expression. She softened her voice. “I know you didn’t, Seth. I’m going to give you some privacy for…whatever it is she wants to say. I just took the lasagna out of the oven and there’s lettuce and sliced tomato for a salad. I’ll…I’ll call you later.” She stroked his chest, letting him know this was a strategic retreat and nothing more.
He clasped his fingers with hers. “I didn’t know you were making supper. I’m sorry.”
“It was supposed to be a surprise.” Behind them, Tamar very loudly cleared her throat. “We definitely got a surprise, didn’t we?”
“Yeah. I’ll call you, when I know what…”
What she wants? What you’re going to do? “I understand, Seth.” She glanced once again at the supremely confident woman waiting expectantly and had never felt dumpier. The adorable baby seemed incongruous in her arms. “Call me.”
Seth kissed her temple and walked her to the door. She kept walking, putting one foot in front of the other, and made it to her car. She hit the Bluetooth button on her steering wheel and put the car in reverse, just barely missing the rear end of the cab waiting on the curb as she backed out of the driveway.
Tears were streaming down her cheeks, her nose was running, and she wasn’t even sure why as a soft voice answered on the other end. “Hello?”
“Grace? Can I come over?”
* * * *
“Good. Maybe now I can get two intelligent words out of you,” Tamar murmured snottily as she dropped a rather bulky diaper bag on the floor and settled herself with the air of a queen on the couch, the baby still in her arms. The boy seemed unsure of how to act, as though he was gauging the atmosphere around him, waiting for a cue. “Is that your girlfriend? She’s…cute.” The way she said it left no doubt in Seth’s mind what she’d really meant.
Mindful of the wary look in the baby’s eyes, which troubled him, he modulated his tone. “You could’ve called before you showed up.”
“I text messaged you. I wasn’t exactly sure when I’d be in town, and you never replied to my message. Seth, we can skate around the issue all night, but I have a cab waiting outside.” Seth’s heart nearly froze at those words. She planned to just show up out of the blue, say whatever she had to say, and then waltz off with his son, just like that? The hammering in his chest felt hollow and faulty as he made hesitant eye contact with the child again. The boy popped his thumb into his mouth, and Seth saw the barest hint of a smile in his eyes. His heart dropped in his chest. This was going to kill him.