“I know you and Tom have been estranged in the past,” Natalie said quietly. “I don’t want to intrude, but it looks as if you might be getting back together. I just want to say you have a wonderful husband who has been so good to us and a marvelous substitute for Jeremy with the kids.”
“Tom loves kids. He’s got six nieces and nephews, but this past year we haven’t seen them often, because all three of his brothers have moved farther away.”
“Jeremy picked well when he got Tom for a friend. But Tom’s gone through a lot at home and abroad. Jeremy told me about some of what they did and it was rough. Tom’s a tough guy, but losing his son has really been hard on him. Just as I know it’s hard on you. That’s something we all share. But enough about our lives.”
As Emily started to unpack the things they’d carried from the car, her thoughts were on all Natalie had said.
The more Emily thought about it, the more she realized that pushing Tom away after Ryan’s death, doing things herself and shutting him out had been disastrous. But now she was accepting his help, and they both seemed to be thriving. He was getting the house in shape far faster than she would have been able to do. And since Tom appeared, she hadn’t had any more messages from Maverick.
At least this part was good. She was happy to meet Natalie and the kids, who’d made her realize that it would have helped Tom heal more after they lost Ryan if she hadn’t shut him out. He needed her to rely on him, to need him—which was something he had found with the Valentines.
Emily wondered if it was too late for her. Was having Tom working on Uncle Woody’s house and staying with her for protection enough to meet the need he had to be a provider in her life and in the marriage?
Natalie watched as the kids played with the beach balls. Tom patiently helped Lexie, who was too little to keep up with her brother or do much of anything with her beach ball except toss it around and let Tom bring it back and roll it to her.
As soon as Emily and Natalie were done unpacking everything, the kids started dancing around Tom, asking him to create bubbles for them to pop.
“They’ll keep him busy,” Natalie said, turning to look at Emily. “Tom told me about the hateful email you got. It’s terrible, but I’m so glad you two got it straightened out between you.” She gave a faint smile and shook her head. “Tom’s secret family. He is so good to us. I would have been sick if I thought all he’s done for us would cause you both pain. Tom is a wonderful person.”
“Yes, he is, and he thought your husband was. He told me about Jeremy, but that was a while ago. When I saw that picture, I didn’t put it together and think about your husband. I just accepted the email as truth.”
“I hope they catch this person before someone else gets hurt.”
“I hope so, too. I’m sorry, Natalie, about Jeremy. Tom thought so much of him.”
“Thanks,” Natalie said. “I’m sorry for your loss. Tom is good to always spend time with the kids. Both kids love him. He’s so patient with them and good for Colby.”
“He’s good with kids because he really likes them,” Emily said quietly, hurting as she watched Tom play with Lexie and Colby. “And he’s patient,” she said, thinking again if she could have gotten pregnant, they might not be getting the divorce. Tom had been wonderful with Ryan.
“We’ve both lost so much,” Natalie said quietly. “I hope you and Tom can work things out, because he should have his own family, his own kids.”
“I agree with you about that and I know we have a mutual bond in losing someone we love deeply.” She looked around. “We better start getting food ready, or there will be other kinds of tears shed.”
“Indeed, there will be,” Natalie said, smiling. “Before you and Tom arrived, they were coming to me every five minutes to ask when you’d get here and how soon we’ll eat. Let’s get some of this set up and then we can go join them and play for a short time. If you don’t want to, that’s okay,” Natalie said.
“It’ll be fun. Look at Tom. He has to be having a good time.”
They paused a moment and watched Tom open a bottle, dip a wand inside and then wave it, leaving a stream of big bubbles. Laughing, both kids began to chase and pop bubbles while Tom kept producing more.
Another pang struck Emily as she looked at Tom. Wind tangled his hair. He was agile and strong, playing with the kids and obviously enjoying it. This was a fun few hours, but their lives were not a constant picnic with kids included. Their marriage was over and that was one more thing she had to accept and learn to live with. Tom was handsome, so appealing—she turned from watching him, focusing on the kids and laughing at their antics.
“Your children are wonderful.”
“Thank you,” Natalie answered. “They have their moments, and Colby has special needs and special abilities. They’re good kids and I love them with all my heart.”
Looking at both kids, Emily hurt because she wanted her own. She wanted to run and join the fun and play with them, too, but she didn’t want to leave Natalie and they didn’t need three adults mixing with the bubbles. “Lexie is so cute.”
Natalie laughed. “She thinks so. She would love to have my shoes and makeup. I can’t imagine what I’m in for when she’s a teen.”
Emily smiled. Tom glanced their way and said something to Colby and Lexie. He turned to walk toward Emily and Natalie.
“Hey, when do we get to eat around here?”
“We can any time you want to fire up that grill and do burgers,” Natalie said.
“I’ll tell Colby and Lexie and go to work at the grill.”
“I’ll tell them,” Natalie said. “You get the food. Emily and I can play with them while you cook. I think we have everything else out and ready.”