Read Online A Mother's Love by Ruth Wind - Free Book Online Page B

vacation to California, and I just loved the ocean.”
    â€œThat’s a good one.”
    â€œI think we need to trade, one for one, or it’s going to make me feel stupid.”
    â€œLemon cake,” Dylan said with a boyish tilt to his head. “Lemon pound cake with a sugar glaze and a big mug of tea.”
    â€œOkay. I love macaroni and cheese, the gooey, really-bad-for-you kind.”
    â€œWho made it for you?”
    â€œMy mother. I didn’t have any other family until I met Africa.” Her father had disappeared, another charming man who couldn’t be trusted.
    â€œJust you and your mother? Was it lonely?”
    Kyra bowed her head, looking down at the baby’s toes in her hand. “Yes. My mother never got over the divorce. She became extremely religious and—” She shook her head. “It was just sad.”
    He put his hand on her calf. “Thank you for that one.”
    â€œYour turn.”
    â€œI loved Thomas Rhys,” he said and cleared his throat. “I don’t remember him not being there, always. Best friends since we were old enough to speak. He had a big heart and a big, sunny smile and he fell in love with Africa on sight.”
    â€œIt was the same for her. She was so fickle at times, but she could be devoted. She was devoted to me. To yoga, to our business.” Kyra smiled. “I saved the e-mail she sent from London when she met Thomas. She said, ‘I met my husband today.’”
    â€œSoul mates,” Dylan said.
    â€œMaybe.”
    â€œYou don’t believe in that?”
    Kyra shrugged. “Not really.”
    His eyes, neon-blue at their most subdued, suddenly grew even more vivid. “I would love to kiss you,” he said.
    â€œThat’s not fair!”
    He grinned. “No?”
    â€œNo.” She slapped his foot, pushed his hand off her calf. “I’m bonding with my baby, so don’t go trying to horn in.”
    Dylan laughed, and as if she loved the sound, the baby shrieked with happiness. “There, she thinks I’m quite clever. You should listen to her.”
    Kyra straightened in mock primness. “Tell me something else, Mr. Jones. What else do you love?”
    â€œSo many things.” He fell sideways beside the baby, propping his head on his hand. “I love starting out in themorning with a big project, when all the bits are in place and the crew is a good one and we’re building something like a huge bridge.”
    Kyra laughed. “I can really understand that. Engineering is a beautiful thing.”
    â€œThat’s not how women usually react.”
    â€œMath major, remember?” She raised her hand.
    He plucked a daisy and handed it to her. “Your turn.”
    â€œEasy. I love yoga.”
    â€œYeah? Why? Africa was all about her yoga, too. I don’t understand that—what do you get out of twisting yourself into a pretzel?”
    â€œThat’s not really what it’s all about,” she said. “It’s about becoming aware of your body and yourself and where you fit in the world. I didn’t really know where I fit until I started studying yoga. Africa and I studied together our sophomore year. Africa calmed down. I learned to be less shy. It was—” She lifted one shoulder. “It was transformative for both of us.” She twirled the flower around in her hand. “But I love the business, too. It thrills me.”
    â€œSounds as if you’ve been very successful.”
    â€œA lot of it was luck,” Kyra said plainly. “We were in the right place at the right time.”
    Dylan pointed at the baby with a sideways grin. She was drifting off, eyelids sweeping closed, then fluttering open, then fluttering closed. Kyra settled her head right next to the baby’s. “Her mouth is so tiny and perfect,” she said. “It’s just priceless.”
    â€œAnd fingernails,” Dylan said, touching