me, my mind is zinging memories at me all at once.
“I can assure you, if it hadn’t been for Dean’s influence in my life, I never would have had the courage to have spoken with you that night at the Smiths’.”
Before I can respond, she continues giving me a gift I dare not hope for—information about my son. “I find Kevin’s the same way. If he had a choice, he’d lose himself in a book or playing some online computer game. Jed got him to try more physical sports like swimming and soccer.” My chest aches as a soft smile crosses her face. The love for our child is evident by the way her posture relaxes and the softening of her tone as she speaks of him. In my mind, I pull up the image of her beaming in the photo Jed left me. Oh, crap. I wonder if she knows about them.
“Jed’s letter included some pictures of him. He seems like a happy boy, Kara.” Her head whips around toward me. “From what it looks like, you’ve done an amazing job raising him.”
“He mentioned he was going to include a few, but I appreciate your candor.” I nod as she continues. “And I appreciate your compliment, but I didn’t do it alone. It really does take a village to raise a child,” she admits wryly. She kicks at the grass in front of her again.
My heart is pounding in my chest when I stumble asking, “Are…are you both staying with Maris for the summer?”
Kara nods. “Why?” she asks, her movement stilling.
“If it’s okay with you…if I can arrange…damnit, Kara. I know I don’t deserve to ask for this.” As much as I want it already even after knowing for only a few hours.
Panic flashes across her face. I want to reach out and touch her to ease the fears, but I think my touch would be less welcome than my request. “You want to spend time with Kevin.” Her voice is devoid of all emotion.
“With your assistance. I understand this is a tough time, and I don’t want to do anything to make it more difficult,” I reassure her gently. “Kara, I know at this late in the game, I could put up a fuss. I could come in hot and do something stupid like talk to lawyers to see what legal course of action I have, but the reality is, Kevin is old enough to state his wishes. And these—” I shake the papers in my hand. “—are an obvious attempt by you to do what is right. Whatever high ground I had is gone. Please, I’m trying.”
“It may not seem like it, but I appreciate that.” Her body’s still tense.
“Will you let me get to know our son?” I rumble in the misty morning air. Now, I take the chance and reach out to touch her arm to give it a quick squeeze. “Please,” I plead.
She’s stock-still for a moment before she steps back, breaking the connection between us. “Now that Jed and Dean are…gone, Kevin is trying to become the man of our house.” I don’t miss how she stumbles over the words. It reminds me I don’t know how Jed and Dean died. And Maris never offered up the information. But that’s not for now.
Kara’s focus is on the freshly turned ground where the ashes of her brother and our friend are buried. “I need to prepare him first.”
Excuse me? I don’t realize I’ve spoken aloud until her head snaps around so fast the short strands of her hair smack her in the face. I stumble when I try to follow up my incredulousness. “He doesn’t know about his father?”
“He knows plenty about the man who donated half of his cells. In fact we’ve had several discussions about genetic recessive traits since his eye color is yours,” Kara haughtily informs me. Damn, now is absolutely the wrong time to remember how hot I found Kara when she got arrogant about her scientific knowledge. “What we haven’t had a conversation about is the man who donated those genes would be in Alaska at the funeral of his beloved uncle Jed. He’s suffered enough blows recently. And as you’ve already said, I’m the only parent he knows. So, I’ll find the right time to talk to him about it.”
I’m about to argue with her when she holds up her hand. “Enough, Jennings. I’ll talk to Kevin and call you.” She turns and walks away from Jed’s gravesite