The Things I Do for You (The Alexanders 2)

Raina’s heart thumped at the thought of meeting her father. She wasn’t sure how she was supposed to feel about him. Worried, nervous, excited, or angry. Sometimes she felt all those things at once. She was so tired of constantly feeling conflicted.

“The more I think about my child, things look different to me than they did before. I realize that things aren’t always black and white. I’d like to understand why he wasn’t there growing up. We can’t go back, but maybe we can move forward without bitterness. Mom was never able

to let it go and it stole her whole life. I don’t want even a trace of ugliness from the past to touch my child.”

“It won’t,” Ridley stated. “We had no part of what happened in the past, but we can control what happens now.”

* * * * *

AFTER A LOT of discussion, they’d decided that inviting William to Sunday dinner at the Alexanders was the best move. There would be a lot of other people around which would take off some of the pressure to make conversation.

Raina wasn’t really worried about the small talk. She was just hoping they wouldn’t hate each other on sight.

They drove past a sign that read “The Alexander-Bennett Co-Op” and drove down a long, dirt-packed road leading to a two-story ranch house. The sky was just starting to turn the colors of twilight; purples and reds and golds splashed along the horizon in bright smudges of color.

“I’ve never brought anyone home for Sunday dinner before,” Nick stated suddenly.

“Never?”

“No. That isn’t to say I never introduced my parents to anyone. New Haven isn’t that big, so I’ve actually run into my parents while out on dates before. Which was awkward.” He grinned. “But I never felt compelled to show any of those women where I grew up.”

“I’m honored to be the first,” she whispered. After the past few weeks with him, she’d come to know a totally different side of Nick than what she’d ever imagined. It would be interesting to see where he’d lived as a boy. Part of her was fascinated with everything to do with her sexy husband.

They got out of the car and stood staring at the front of the house. Nick came around the car and stood next to her. He leaned over and whispered, “Here comes one of my dad’s ranch hands. He’s worked here forever.”

An older man, his pale skin smudged with dirt, ambled toward them. His gray hair stuck out in scraggly spikes that he’d halfway covered with a floppy, battered straw hat.

Nick raised a hand in greeting. “Hey, Grady. Is everyone inside?”

“Yup. Your mama was upset about sumthin’. You better get on inside. Evening, miss.” He tipped the bill of his hat at Raina.

“Grady, this is my wife, Raina.”

“Hi,” she said and held out her hand. Grady shook it slowly.

He glanced at Nick. “This one looks the same as the other one. You boys never did share well.” Then he ambled on down the lane, shaking his head the whole way.

“Well, that was interesting,” Raina remarked.

Nick took her arm. “The fun is just beginning. Let’s go inside before they send out a search party.”

Nick knocked twice and then used his key. They stepped into the small entryway and he called out, “Mom! Dad! We’re here.”

Raina followed him into the family room. Most of the furniture looked brand new and the room was done in airy blues and greens. The stone fireplace looked like one of those ancient ones that could burn anything.

She leaned closer to see one of the pictures on the wall near her. It was Nick, wearing a basketball uniform. He had his arms crossed in the picture and a smug smile on his face like he’d thought he was so cool. He looked about fifteen.

She glanced over at him with a smile. “Wow. Seeing you this young is so weird. I can’t even imagine you as a teenage boy.”

Nick stuck his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels as she examined some of the other pictures on the wall. “Trust me, you don’t want to know what I was like then. Our poor parents had to deal with teen-boy attitude four times over. Jackson is going to have his hands full with his in about ten years.”

Raina thought about the child they would soon have. She could understand why his mom kept all these photos visible. She already couldn’t wait to see what their baby would look like and she was going to document and cherish every moment of their life.

Their baby was going to know it was loved.

They crossed through the family room and into the kitchen. Music and voices flowed through the open back door and into the kitchen.

“Everyone must be outside.” Nick pushed open the screen door and Raina followed him out onto the back deck. A tiny body bumped into her leg and she looked down to see Jase watching them, his thumb bobbing in his mouth. He took it out only to say, “Hi, Unca Nick.”