Country Romance - Carolyne Aarsen Page 0,62

upset. They hadn’t known their mother at all.

Finally the girls quieted down and Adele stood, settling them on the chairs. She took the tissue box from the top of the refrigerator and brought it back to the table. Snagging a couple out she wiped the girls’ eyes and noses, then pushed the box closer to Wyatt.

She wasn't looking at him, and the serious look on her face created a wink of concern.

He waited until Dean lifted his head from his shoulder then handed him a tissue as well. Dean sniffed, looking at Wyatt, blinking the remnants of his tears away.

Then he gave him a wavering smile that dove straight into Wyatt's heart. Wyatt hugged him again. Hard. Tight. Then he let Dean slip off his lap. Dean headed right to the girls, who now sat quietly in their chairs.

He gave them each a hug, and patted their backs. "You'll be okay," he assured them.

The sight made Wyatt love the little guy even more.

"Your mommy is happy in heaven," Dean said, his tone solemn. "Just like mine is."

Maria frowned at that, her tears now gone. "Our mommy isn't in heaven. She's in California."

"Here's some milk and cookies for you sad little kids," Adele said, distracting Dean from the questions Wyatt could see in his expression.

"I love cookies," Maya announced, obviously over her bout of sorrow. "Do you love cookies, Dean?"

He nodded and sat down, taking a huge drink of his milk. He pulled in a long breath, as if settling his own emotions, then looked up at Adele. "My mommy is in heaven, isn't she?"

Adele nodded, stroking his hair in a tender gesture, the affection on her face showing Wyatt how she loved this little boy.

Could she still be considering leaving?

"I'm making some coffee. Did you want some?" Adele asked Wyatt, returning to the counter, her back to him as she plugged in the kettle.

"I'd love some. But I can make it."

"No. Just stay there. I'm fine." She sounded distracted.

He sat back, watching as she bustled about the kitchen, cleaning, wiping, avoiding him.

He wanted to ask what was going on, but not in front of the kids who were gulping down their milk and munching on cookies. Obviously feeling better.

"We go play pirate," Maya announced when she was done.

Maria, of course, agreed, and Dean went along as well.

They went downstairs and he and Adele were alone.

She brought the French press and two mugs and sat down across from him.

He poured her a cup then one for himself, leaning his elbows on the table, watching her, willing her to look at him. Give him some indication of what was going on behind those shuttered eyes.

"Is everything okay?" He was struggling with his own second thoughts and concerns. He needed to know where she was at.

It was as if they were both hesitating, waiting to see which way the other would jump. Who would make which move?

"Yeah. Just lots of things on my mind."

He could relate.

"I just got a couple of phone calls," he said, trying for ordinary. "I have to take the twins into town tomorrow. Doctor's appointment."

"Just a routine checkup?"

"Yeah. It's at eleven."

"Did you want me to stay behind with Dean?"

"No. I thought I would take him along."

"Okay. That should work. I have to head to town anyway. Have a few things I need to do."

She sounded mysterious, and he wasn't sure he wanted to know what she had to do in town, but it wasn't his place to ask.

"We could meet for lunch," she said, giving him a careful smile.

The tension holding his shoulders eased, and he returned her smile. "That would be great. It'll be nice to get out and see other humans."

He didn't want to think of what the implications of being seen together could mean, but right now, holding Adele's gaze, feeling the warmth of her smile, he didn't care.

The sound of feet hammering up the stairs broke into the moment, and the kids were back.

"Can we go sliding?" Dean asked as they joined Adele and Wyatt at the table.

"Sure," Wyatt said with a grin. "I think that's a great idea."

"Will you come?" Dean asked Adele.

"Of course I will. It’ll be good for all of us to get out of the house."

Her eyes met Wyatt’s, and they shared another smile.

"I think we could pull you guys around on the snow machine," Wyatt suggested. "It's gorgeous out and there's lots of snow."

"Yay. Skidoo," Maria yelled, jumping up and down.

"What's a skidoo?" Dean asked, frowning, unsure.

"Come outside and we'll