I fiddled with my fork on my plate, not sure what to say. I was normally full of words, full of things to talk about, but today I just wanted to crawl in my bed and hide under the blanket. I couldn’t do that even if Max hadn’t been sitting across the table from me. I needed to stay strong, work hard to keep everything level and calm for Marty.
“Are you sleeping?” Max’s deep voice rumbled quietly.
“Right now?” I offered him a smile.
“You know what I mean.” He leaned forward, concern etched on his face. “You look tired.”
“Not exactly what every girl wants to hear, Prince Charming.” I rolled my eyes and leaned back in my seat.
“You’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever laid eyes on.” The sincerity in his words sent my heart into overdrive. “That doesn’t mean you can’t look tired.”
I closed my eyes for a minute. “I don’t have time to be tired.”
“How’d the speech go today?” He put his arms on the table and leaned forward.
“Fine.” I shrugged. It had been one of the most painful things I’d ever had to do. Telling a crowd of strangers, cameras, and reporters that my granddad had passed away had been emotionally draining. Answering their questions had been like having someone dig around in an open wound.
“You don’t have to pretend.” He clasped his hands in front of him and looked down at the table. “I’d need a stiff drink.”
“I don’t drink.” My eyes shot toward my father’s room.
“Then maybe a long, hot shower.” His lips curved into a small smile. “Or a bath. I imagine that would go a long way to soothing your tense muscles.”
“That does sound nice.” I sighed at the thought. “But I have to go scrub down a little boy who smells like fish.”
“I’ll do it.” He shrugged.
“You’ll give my six-year-old boy a bath?” I laughed.
“How hard can it be? A broom, little dish soap, and the hose are all I need.” He raised one eyebrow when I laughed. “It’ll only take a couple of minutes.”
“Nice. Would you just let him run na**d through the house like a crazed person to dry off?”
“How else would you do it?” His smile grew a little.
“I can only imagine the housekeeper’s face at the puddles all over the place.” I chuckled.
“You could get a dog and blame them on it.” He laughed.
“No, those leave their own sort of puddles.” I shook my head and fought my grin. “And don’t you dare mention that in front of Marty. I’ve been fending off the dog request for a while now.”
“Duly noted.” He bobbed his head and looked up at me through his brown hair, with a grin. “I remember wanting a dog at his age. I drove my parents crazy.”
“Did they let you have one?”
“It took a lot of convincing, but I finally got a Lab.” His eyes turned thoughtful. “We had some great adventures. He was my best friend.”
“Are you trying to convince me to get my son a dog?” I leaned forward and leveled my eyes at the prince sitting across from me.
“Is it working?” His teeth flashed white in the light.
“Not even a little bit.” I laughed.
“Well, I tried.” He shrugged as his eyes glinted with mischief.
“Marty would appreciate the effort.” I smiled but looked away from him. He was doing it again. Breaking through my barriers. I couldn’t remember the last time I had discussed Marty with a man who wasn’t family.
“I found ice cream!” Marty bounded through the door with a stack of bowls in his hands.
The cook followed behind him with an amused expression. She was carrying a tub of ice cream.
“We only have vanilla, but I can make a chocolate syrup if you’d like.” She set the tub on the table and folded her hands in front of her.
“Do we have any sprinkles?” Marty set the bowls on the table and climbed into his chair.
“We have some from the last time you were here.” She pulled a bottle out of the pocket of her apron and set it on the table. “Enjoy.”
“Yes!” Marty reached for the tub of ice cream but I was faster.
“I’ll put some in your bowl.” I lumped some ice cream into his bowl and handed him the bottle of sprinkles, which he liberally applied. Without thinking, I grabbed Max’s bowl and filled it with ice cream. “Do you want sprinkles too?”
“No, thanks.” He smiled at me when I handed him his bowl.
By the time I’d gotten my own dessert, Marty was ready to lick his bowl clean. Max reached across the table and flicked a sprinkle off my son’s nose, making him giggle.
“Okay. It’s time for a bath.” I shook my head when Marty groaned. “You’re filthy, buddy.”
“But it’s a good, healthy filthy.” Marty grinned.
“Go upstairs and pick out some pajamas.” I shook my head.
“I’m going.” He hopped out of his chair and ran around the table. To my complete surprise, he hugged Max and whispered something I couldn’t hear. Max laughed softly and hugged my son back. A stab of pain filled my chest and I squashed it. Other than Granddad, Marty hadn’t had a man in his life that he could count on. I didn’t let anyone get close enough to hurt him.
To hurt us. Marty’s father and my own had shown me how quickly men could leave you or hurt you.