Read Online Mixed Blessings by Cathy Marie Hake - Free Book Online

enough to tease him, he chuckled. “I will be by lunchtime.”
    â€œHmm. Addicted to caffeine?”
    He propped the basket against his thigh and held up the other hand in a gesture of mock surrender. “I plead guilty. I’m pathetic. I love coffee—any kind of coffee—as long as it isn’t decaffeinated. In fact, while I’m confessing my darkest secrets, you may as well hear it straight from me—I’m just as bad when it comes to pie. I’ll eat anything served in a pie tin.”
    â€œAnything?”
    â€œUp ’til now. You name it, I’ve probably tried it.”
    She cocked her head to the side and assessed him slowly. “Baked beans from a campfire?”
    He perked up. “Do you like to camp?”
    â€œLove to. I already bought Ricky a little backpack. We strap it on him, and he wears it around so he can carry a tiny bit of gear when I take him to Yosemite.”
    â€œI love Yosemite.”
    â€œMy goal is to take him on a trip when he turns five. By then, Sandy will be out on her own and independent, so we can slip off without too much concern. Ricky enjoys going on walks, and he’d love to see the flowers and squirrels.” She paused, then added, “By that point, I have no doubt he’ll be able to swim and climb trees. Besides, he’s a trouper when it comes to walking. He doesn’t often ask me to carry him anymore.”
    â€œJust as well. He’s a pretty good-sized tyke.” He smiled. “I used to do serious, backwoods survival hikinga couple of times a year. Since I lost Darlene, I stick to safer hobbies.”
    Her hands fisted tightly. “Everything changes, doesn’t it?”
    Peter set down the basket. Her hair looked as baby soft and fine as Luke’s. Though the same color as Luke’s, her eyes held the haunted cast of someone who suffered terrible heartache. He knew he’d only made her hurt more by being insensitive, and it bothered him. He wanted her to know he cared, and that he shared some of those same lonely feelings. Reaching over, he slowly took her fist into his hand and gently unknotted it as he spoke. “With a little one underfoot, you have to keep going, even when you feel like you can’t make it another minute more.”
    â€œDid you feel that way?”
    â€œSometimes I still do,” he confessed. “I’m lucky to have a household staff. They ease things considerably. I can’t figure out how you get everything done.”
    â€œI don’t. Just look around you!” Marie pulled her hand free and flung her arm in an arc to encompass the room.
    â€œYou’re too hard on yourself.”
    A tense moment passed. Their lives and opinions differed so dramatically, bridging the gulf seemed almost insurmountable. She glanced at the front door. “Ricky and Sandy ought to be home any minute.”
    â€œMarie, I want us to get together each weekend and on holidays until we settle the details.” Peter lowered himself into a battered leather chair and looked at her carefully. “How about if we alternate weekends? I’d expect Sandy to join you when you come up to my place.”
    The expression on her face made his stomach flip. “What is it?”
    She shook her head. “It won’t work.”
    â€œRicky’s room is big enough for Luke to share.”
    â€œYou’d let him spend the night here with me?”
    His mind whirled. “Why not? I’d be here, too.” Something in her expression made him lock eyes with her. “You can’t exclude me, Marie.”
    â€œThere’s nowhere for you to sleep. There are only two bedrooms.”
    â€œYou already know I camp. I’d be happy out here on your floor or couch.”
    Nervously wetting her lips, she managed to avoid his eyes. “I’m going to have to watch out for you. You have a knack for making impossible things seem reasonable.”
    The front door