off, baring a firm six pack, broad shoulders and muscular arms. And a Celtic knot armband tattoo encompassing his right beefy bicep.
The sight left her breathless.
“Now what?” he asked.
She took the shirt, the heat of his body still clinging to the fabric, and went back to Jacoby’s side.
“I’ve got the perfect answer. Jacoby, honey, sit up.” Her words came out a husky whisper and she hoped Justin didn’t notice. “Here, let’s put this on right over your pajamas.”
The boy did as she asked, and she helped him tug the oversize shirt onto his small frame.
“Your…your dad and you look so much alike. If those bothersome beings even take one little peek in here, they’ll see you in this shirt and think it’s him sleeping here.”
Jacoby ran his hands over the shirt that pooled at his waist. “Really?”
Gina knew she was taking a chance in addressing Justin as Jacoby’s dad, but that’s what he’d been tonight. He’d put aside his own feelings and done what his son had needed, from calling her for help to scaring away imaginary monsters.
“Really. And everyone knows those things can’t see worth a darn in the dark. So even if they show up, which I seriously doubt, you will be well-protected. And I’m sure your dad doesn’t mind you wearing his shirt.”
Jacoby peeked around her to look at Justin. “Is it okay?”
“Yeah, sure. It looks great on you.”
“Okay.”
He flopped back down against his pillow and Gina again tucked him and his bear beneath the covers. This time his eyes were already closed and his breathing was slow and steady.
“’Night, Gina,” he mumbled.
“Good night, sweetie.” She brushed wisps of hair off his face, then stepped away from the bed.
“’Night, Dad.”
Gina stilled for a moment before glancing at Justin. Did he hear the child’s soft words? The stunned look on his face told her he had. With a quick “’Night,” in return, he spun around and disappeared.
She checked on Jacoby again and found him fast asleep. Leaving the room, she paused to close the door, then went to find Justin. Back in the main room, Justin paced in the open area between the kitchen and living room. He’d pulled on a flannel shirt, but hadn’t bothered with the buttons. Gina could feel uncertainty and doubt radiating off him.
“Why did he do that?” he asked in a low whisper.
She didn’t pretend not to understand. “Because you’re his father.”
“We don’t know that.” He stopped and faced her, but then dropped his head back against the upper kitchen cabinets. Eyes closed, he thumped his head, each strike a punctuation mark to his words. “We. Don’t. Know. That.”
“Justin—”
“Even if I am that kid’s father, I’m the worst possible person to take care of him.” Eyes now open, but unfocused, he stared upward. “What the hell do I know about raising a kid?”
Gina’s heart ached for him and the despair she heard in his voice. He had no idea how important what he’d done tonight—what he’d done the last two days—was to that sleeping little boy.
She moved closer, keenly aware of his nearness. “Jacoby’s world…and yours was turned upside down two days ago. You’ve been doing a great job so far.”
“I fed the kid and bought him some clothes, big deal.” This time he did look at her, his words still a hushed whisper. “That’s not the same as being responsible for another person’s life.”
“It’s part of it. Providing the basics is what a parent does.”
“I’m not talking about that stuff. That was easy.”
“Then why is Jacoby wearing brand-new pajamas with a full belly and sleeping in a bed for the first time in his life?” Gina gestured toward the room on the other side of the kitchen wall. “That’s more than he’s probably had in a long time.”
“Anyone could have given him that stuff.”
“But no one did, until you.”
“I’m talking about more important things—”
“I know what you’re talking about. How to be a good person, to know right from wrong, to work hard for what you want in life, to be nice—”
“And you think I’m the person who can teach him all that? So much for you being the smartest lady in town.”
“You just need a little confidence in yourself.”
He punched out a humorless laugh and looked away. “Sorry, fresh out of confidence.”
Gina didn’t pause to question what she was doing. She cupped his face, turning him to look at her. He returned her stare, almost silently daring her to do what he surely could read in her gaze.
In one motion, she