man would step up.
“Can I see them?”
Her hope found a bit of purchase at this request, although she shook her head negatively. “They’re sleeping right now. I really don’t want them disturbed tonight. Unfortunately, with my shoulder injury I won’t be going home for a day or two.”
“Then why don’t I plan on being here at ten in the morning and spend a little time with them.” He stood from his chair. “And we can talk then about where things go from here.”
The tentative hope blossomed and she offered him a smile. “I’d like that.”
“Then I’ll see you at ten tomorrow.” He disappeared out the front door and Grace breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe everything was going to be okay after all.
She turned to see Jake standing in one of the doorways nearby, apparently the door that led into his private study. “You were right,” she said. “He just needed some time to process it all, I guess.” She smiled.
“I’m just heading up to my room so I’ll say good-night,” he said.
“Good night, Jake, and thank you for everything. Justin is going to be here around ten tomorrow to get to know the girls, so it looks as though things are going to be just fine.”
“Let’s hope so,” he said, his eyes once again dark and unreadable. There was something in his tone and in the darkness of his gaze that made Grace realize maybe she shouldn’t get her hopes up too high.
It was ten-thirty the next morning and there was still no sign of Justin. Jake wasn’t surprised. What did surprise him was the ping of compassion in his heart as he watched Grace standing at the front window looking outside.
She’d been there for the last twenty minutes, her demeanor slowly shifting from eager anticipation to unmistakable discouragement.
The girls were playing on a blanket on the living room floor, surrounded by toys and any other item in the house that Kerri thought they might enjoy and wouldn’t hurt them. Kerri had helped get them up and out of bed, fed and dressed in cute little outfits he suspected had been specifically chosen to meet their daddy.
“You want a cup of coffee or something?” he finally asked.
Grace whirled around, green eyes wide. “Oh, I didn’t know you were there. No thanks, I’m fine.” She turned back to face the window. “He’s apparently running late.”
“Justin is one of those people who would be late to his own funeral.” Jake wasn’t sure he believed his brother would show up at all. Thank goodness the babies were young enough not to know that already they’d been let down by the man who had fathered them. The one man in the world they should be able to depend on. Jake feared it wouldn’t be the last time.
“How’s the shoulder this morning?” he asked.
Once again she turned from the window and this time took several steps away and sat in a nearby chair. “I think it’s a little better,” she replied, but as she tried to move it to show him how much better it was a spasm of pain crossed her features.
“I think maybe you just told me a little fib,” he noted.
She hesitated a moment and then flashed him a quick smile. “Maybe,” she admitted. “Actually, I think it’s worse this morning than it was last night.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. I’ve always heard the second day of an injury is the worst.” He should be outside, riding the ranch, checking fencing, doing a thousand chores that awaited his hands. But he’d been unable to leave her alone standing at the window waiting for a man who might not show up until evening.
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