“Well, I suppose it’s only fair that I confess to having had a crush myself after watching you in action with Mom and Ethan. You’re so good with both of them, not to mention sexy as all hell.”

“I am not.”

He cupped her breast and kissed her. “Yes, you are. That skirt you wear?”

“What skirt?”

“The denim one.”

“That skirt is a thousand years old!”

“Maybe so, but it does amazing things for your sexy ass.” He ran his hand down her back to give her bottom a squeeze. “I might’ve once had a highly inappropriate thought about my mother’s nurse wearing that skirt, without underwear, while I take her from behind.”

“I never knew you had such a vivid imagination.”

“Are you appalled?”

“Quite the opposite, in fact. You’ve got my imagination running wild now, too.”

Paul laughed at her frank reply and pulled her in closer, keeping her tucked up against him.

“I really ought to go home.”

“Stay.”

“I shouldn’t.”

“Yes, you should.” As he drifted off to sleep, he tightened his hold on her so she couldn’t get away.

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

A sniffling whimper woke Seamus from a light sleep. He’d been on alert since the boys went to bed hours earlier, but now he sat up in bed, listening intently. Hearing it again, he disentangled himself from Caro without waking her and went into the room across the hall, where the boys were sleeping.

Another sniffle led him to Kyle’s bed. “Hey, pal,” he whispered.

Kyle turned his face into the pillow, as if he didn’t want to be caught crying.

Seamus rubbed the little boy’s back. “I’m sad, too, you know?” He spoke softly, hoping he wouldn’t wake Jackson. “Maybe you could come and sit with me for a while and we can be sad together. What do you think?”

He continued to rub Kyle’s back, giving the child a minute to decide if he wanted comfort or if he preferred to be left alone.

Slowly, Kyle turned over and held out his arms to Seamus.

His heart ached as he scooped up Kyle and carried him out of the room, closing the door behind him. He went into the living room and sat in Caro’s rocking chair with Kyle’s head resting on his shoulder. For a long time, they were quiet, with only the gentle sway of the rocker breaking the silence.

“Why are you sad?” Kyle asked. “Did your mommy die, too?”

Seamus released a deep breath. “No, but I’m sad that yours did. I’m sad for her and you and Jackson.”

“It’s not fair.”

“No, it isn’t.”

“Is she really not going to come back?”

Aw, God, Seamus thought. Give me strength and wisdom to get these poor kids through this. “No, honey, she’s not.”