Not Quite Mine

“She’s beautiful, isn’t she? I know all moms say that about their children…but she really is.”

Dean stretched out and picked up a colorful toy before waving it in front of Savannah’s gaze. “She’s amazing, Katie.”

“You can pick her up. She doesn’t bite.” Katie sat beside him and pressed her back against the couch.

She was so small. His hand took up half her body as he lifted Savannah onto his lap. He propped her on his bent knees and was blessed with a smile.

Dean’s heart kicked in his chest. “You’re gonna break hearts with that smile, darlin’. Just like your mommy.”

Katie brushed alongside him and stared. “I can watch her for hours. I wonder what she’s thinking. Everything around her is so big and she’s so helpless on her own.”

“My sister says babies only think of food, sleep, and diaper changes.”

Katie giggled. “Yeah, there’s a lot of that. But like right now…she’s staring at you. Listening to your deep voice. What’s she thinking?”

Dean kissed the top of Katie’s head as she rested it on his shoulder. “I know what I’m thinking. That she’s one lucky baby to have ended up on your doorstep. Your love for her is obvious.”

“She’s easy to love.”

Just like you.

Dean tried to push aside his thoughts. Did he really want to visit that pain again? He’d barely survived loving Katie the first time, yet here he was inviting himself back into her life again…only this time she had someone else with her. Someone precious and vulnerable.

Katie played with Savannah’s hand, which sat inside Dean’s larger one. She traced their fingers together, appeared mesmerized by the difference in size. The girls watched each other, both of them smiling.

Resistance was futile and Dean knew it. Before he’d asked for Jack’s blessing, Dean knew he was going to work hard to win Katie back. This time, he had two girls to win.

While keeping hold of Savannah, Dean tucked a finger under Katie’s chin and directed her attention to him.

The tiny lines around her eyes that would manifest when she was deep in thought softened as he looked his fill. Without words, Dean leaned forward and met her lips with his.

She sighed and closed her eyes.

She was soft and welcoming…perfect. When Dean moved away, Katie blinked and ran her tongue over her lips. “What was that for?”

“Do I need a reason?” he asked softly.

Katie swallowed, her eyes never leaving his. A flash of fear passed over her. “Are you sure you want this…me, us?”

Dean traced her lips with his thumb. “I’m willing to try if you are.”

“We didn’t work before.”

“We didn’t give us a chance before.”

Katie dropped her gaze to Savannah and sucked in her bottom lip. Her nod was slow…hesitant. “OK.” She smiled. “OK…”

This time when he kissed her, he put fire into it. Well, as much fire as he could with an infant in his lap. Katie caught his cheek with her hand and pressed into his touch.

Savannah let out a tiny cry and broke them apart. Both of them laughed.

“I’m just kissing your mommy, Savannah. You’re going to have to get used to that.”

Later that night, as he worshiped every inch of Katie’s body, reminding them both of how well they fit together, Dean knew he’d already fallen deep.

As he moved within her, and listened to her call his name when she shattered in his arms, he felt his heart open completely.

He was home.

“What the hell is going on?” Monica yelled the frantic question into the phone. Katie pulled the receiver from her ear.

“What are you talking about?”

“Jessie left a message on my cell. She said to call her back ASAP. Said she needed the inside scoop on you and Dean. Did you two go public with your relationship?”

Katie let go of her purse she’d just placed over her shoulder, dropping it to the floor. The trip to the grocery store would have to wait.

“No we’ve not gone public. You’re the only one who knows we’re seeing each other.”

“You might want to check your facts. Jessie acted as if she knew something was going on.”

“How would Jessie know anything?”

“Jack…I think. The message was garbled and, to tell the truth, I don’t want to call her back. Seems Jack is worried about his friend Dean because Jack thinks you’re hanging on to some guy in Texas.”

“There is no one in Texas.” Hadn’t been in a while.

“Well Jessie seemed to think so.”

“There isn’t anyone.”

“Well someone is telling Jack differently.”

Katie rubbed the back of her stiff neck. “Why would Jack care anyway?”

“I don’t know…listen, I’ve got to go. I’m going to pretend the call messed up and I didn’t get it.”

“How is everything there? Enjoying yourself?”

“I love it, Katie. I can see myself doing this for a long time.”

“Be careful.”

“I will. See ya next week.”

Katie hung up the phone and grabbed her purse a second time.

Her phone rang again.

“Did you forget something?” she asked, assuming it was Monica again.

“I don’t think so,” the male voice said. “It’s Patrick. I take it you were expecting another call.”