She gazed out the window at the backyard as if seeing all the memories of the nights they’d spent playing there. His mother was still a beautiful woman, just softened by time, the lines around her eyes and mouth a testament to a life well lived. As he watched her, it occurred to him that his parents were getting older and that one day, one terrible day, they wouldn’t be there anymore.
“You know what, Mom? I think I’ll stay a little longer. Do you mind bringing me a pair of Dad’s old jeans and a T-shirt? I think I’ll help him with the truck.”
“I think he’d love that.” She disappeared and came back with a pile of clothes, then stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “I probably don’t tell you enough, but I’m proud of you, Nick. You were a bit of a wild child but you’ve grown into a fine man.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
He ducked into the first-floor bathroom and changed clothes, hanging his suit on the back of the door. When he went back into the garage, his father had already gotten the truck up on the ramps. He looked up at Nick, startled.
“What are you still doing here, Nick? I thought you were long gone to go sweet-talk your lady.”
Nick picked up one of the clean rags on the workbench and threw it over his shoulder. “I’m going to help you with this old clunker before I leave.”
“You don’t have to do that. I know you’re anxious to get home.”
“I’ve got time. This really smart guy once told me that the measure of a man is how he treats the people he loves. Since I had the best role model in the world for what it means to be a man, I’m never too busy to help you out, Dad.”
Mark swallowed a few times. Tears shone in his eyes as he nodded. “Well, I’ll let you get down there then. You’ll have an easier time getting back up than I will, that’s for sure!”
* * * * *
WHEN NICK GOT HOME later that night, Raina was already in bed. She was snuggled up with a mountain of pillows. He almost wanted to laugh when he saw that she’d put so many pillows in the bed that it left very little room for him.
Well played, sweetheart, he thought.
“I spent some time with my parents tonight. Bennett’s in the converted barn out back, but he mainly keeps to himself and does his weird science experiments. I think they’re a little lonely in the house all by themselves.”
Raina didn’t turn from the show she was watching.
He yanked at his tie, then unbuttoned his shirt. He shrugged it off before pushing down his pants and tossed the pile of clothes in the hamper Raina had placed in his closet.
“My dad gave me some great advice. He said that the true measure of a man is how he treats the people he loves.”
Raina didn’t roll over but he could tell by the sudden stiffness in her shoulders that she was holding herself still, listening.
“I thought about our argument and whether I was treating you the way I thought a husband should. The way a man who’s crazy in love with his wife would. I decided that I wasn’t. Even when we don’t agree on something, I don’t want you to ever think I don’t care about your feelings. So I wanted to apologize.”
She rolled over and faced him. “I’m sorry, too. I know I was unfair. It just took me by surprise. I don’t want to take something you love away from you. I just can’t pretend it doesn’t terrify me to think of you getting hit. Getting thrown.” She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around herself.
“I love riding. I love the freedom of it, the excitement. It’s just a good time. But I don’t love it enough to make you sick with worry every time I do it. I don’t love anything so much that it’s worth putting you through that. I can always sell the bike.”
Raina watched him with her big brown eyes. “Only if that’s really what you want to do.”
Nick shoved several of the pillows off the bed and curled up against her back. “What I want is to make my wife happy. I don’t feel like I’m doing too great a job on that score lately.”
Raina rolled over so they were facing each other. “I am happy with you, Nick. I just want to make sure you’re happy, too. You’ve been different lately.”
He closed his eyes and breathed in her scent. It would be ridiculous to pretend he didn’t know what she meant. He’d been completely consumed by his worries over the foundation the past few weeks. If he hadn’t invested so heavily in the charity, it would be easier to distance himself from it. But he stood to lose quite a bit of money if he had to keep floating the operating costs and the building costs by himself.
When he’d married Raina, they’d done so on equal terms. He didn’t want her to ever feel that he couldn’t take care of her in the lifestyle she was accustomed to. She was used to nice things and he was sure her previous boyfriends, Silvestre especially, had been able to afford to indulge her.
“I’m sorry, sweets. I know I’ve been distracted with work lately. I’ve been falling behind because I’m so busy thinking and worrying about you. But it’s nothing I can’t handle. I promise.”
“That’s all it is? Work stuff?”
“Yeah. Once I catch up on the backlog, things will go back to normal. I promise.”
She heaved a sigh of relief. “As long as that’s all it is. You’ve been patient with me. Now it’s my turn.”