Read Online The Marriage Contract by Lisa Mondello - Free Book Online Page B

she smelled something foul.
    He hunched his
shoulders.  “What did I say?”
    “Look at my
family and think about how that won't work.”  She splayed her fingers and began
counting on them.  “For one, my brother is a priest.  For two, my mother will
never let me hear the end of it no matter how much she wants grandchildren. 
And three,” her face softened and her voice lowered, “I don't think that it's
fair to expect a child to grow up without a father.  Not if I can help it.”
    She had a
point.  More and more studies indicated the need for children to have an active
father figure in their lives.  He knew firsthand how hard it could be for a kid
without a dad.  He had a father, but he was never around until it was too
late.  If Cara was seriously considering having a baby, she’d go the whole
route and make sure her child had everything he or she needed in life.  Including
a full family with hands on mom and dad.
    “I've focused
so long on myself and my career that I just don't know if I can do it.  And
certainly not alone.  Sometimes I think I'm too selfish to be a mother.”
    Devin shook his
head at the absurdity.  “You’re wrong.”  How could she think such a thing?
    “Am I?  As you’ve
discovered, I'm not a morning person.  What if I get angry if the baby wakes me
up?  What kind of mother does that to her kids?”  She sat on the concrete steps
leading down and leaned forward, propping her elbows on her knees.  “I don't
want to bring a baby into my life only to discover it's too late for me to
switch channels.”
    He watched her
drawn expression.  Clearly this was an issue she’d given some serious thought
to and now felt she was at a crossroads.
    “It's never too
late if it's what's really in your heart.  You never know, it may be easier to
talk to Roger about this than you think.”
      She gazed up
at him and sighed.  “I don't know.  It's just so different with you, Devin.  I
mean it.  It's actually easy to talk with you about whatever crazy feelings I
have, knowing you're never going to judge me.  Like with my family.  I don’t
have to spend my time defending them.  You just laugh and accept them.  No
questions.  You have no idea what a relief it is for me.”
    He knew what
she meant.  With Cara, it was welcoming not to have to measure every word or
watch his back.  It had been a long time since Devin had been able to let down
his guard and truly be himself.  “I think I have a good idea.” 
    She stood up
and walked toward him.  The morning sun sparkled in her eyes.  Devin hated the
way he felt at that moment.  All he could think about was pulling her into his
arms and holding her until she smiled.  The thought of having her in his arms
warmed his heart and spread outwards.  But this wasn't seventeen years ago when
he had the freedom to act on his impulses with Cara.
    He cleared his
throat in an effort to clear his thoughts.  “We'd better see if Roger made it
yet.”
    Cara leaned
over the railing of the tower and looked down at the ground below.  Devin followed
her to the rail and did the same.  Below, they found Roger propped up against a
lone tree surrounded by a shiny patch of green.  His legs were crossed at the
ankles and his hands were clasped behind his neck, buried in the shiny green
vines crawling up the tree.  The smile on his face was almost heartbreaking.
    “Roger!” she yelled
down.
    Roger opened
his eyes and waved up at them.
    “What are you
doing?”
    “Just enjoying
the morning sun,” he called back.
    He looked so
content, and Cara so shocked, that Devin didn't know whether to laugh or feel
bad for the guy.  He was obviously clueless about his current position.
    Or he was an
idiot.
    “But...you're
sitting in poison ivy!”
    # # #   
     
    Chapter Four
     
    “Wasn't this
guy ever a boy scout?” Devin said as they took the steps down the tower two at
a time.  “Poison Ivy was taught somewhere between tent pitching 101