“Yes, of course. I always believed that one day I would be a mom.” It was comforting being held by him. Made her feel safe, less alone. “And when I found out I was pregnant.” She paused, words stuck in her throat.

“Go on.” His hand made soothing circles in the space between her shoulder blades.

Sarah pulled back a little so she could see his face. “Even though I was in a terrible relationship, I wanted that baby. Wanted her so much. My mother was thrilled that she was going to be a grandmother. My dad . . . He was a little less ecstatic. I think he was enjoying having my mom’s undivided attention, and that took a back seat once the baby was coming. My mother became a whirling dervish of activity. There was a nursery to set up, a layette, and maternity clothes to purchase. She was so happy. Came with me to every doctor’s visit. Held my hand when we both saw the baby’s heartbeat for the first time. It was the most amazing thing, this miracle of life growing inside me. My mother attended Lamaze classes with me so she could be in the hospital to help me through the birth . . .” Sarah stopped, unable to speak, the weight of all she had lost crashing over her.

Mick held her close to his chest, solid as a mountain. His head bowed over hers, and his heartbeat was a steady, comforting thrum. Great breaths of oxygen entering his lungs and exiting again, slow and measured, as if he were breathing for both of them. Time passed and still he held her, keeping her safe in the storm. And when it passed, he snagged some tissues, wiped her tears, and then stuck a couple in her hand. Didn’t so much as blink when she blew her nose more than once. There was no way to do it delicately, not after crying that hard. And once she’d mopped up, he held out his hand and made her drop the soggy tissues in it. He got off the bed, and she watched his long, rangy body stride naked into the bathroom to toss the tissues away and was filled with gratitude that this man had entered her life.

When he returned, he sat cross-legged on the bed and took her hands in his. “So, then what happened?” He was right, of course. She couldn’t stop there, no matter how much she wanted to pull the covers over her head.