Read Online Twins Under His Tree by Karen Rose Smith - Free Book Online Page B

didn’t know if he could fix it. But he had to get the old one back—he’d made a promise to Troy.
    When Angie had arrived home after midnight, the twins had been starting to stir. She said she’d help him feed them so Lily could sleep. But Lily had heard them, come in, taken Grace from Angie and told her to go to bed. She’d hardly glanced at him.
    They’d fed Grace and Sophie in silence. When the twins woke again at four, they’d both fed them again. Mitch had never actually appreciated how complicated this was for women. They hadn’t recovered completely from giving birth and they had to use reserves they didn’t know they had to combat sleep deprivation, fatigue and chores that seemed to multiply with each hour.
    And what had he done? Stirred up something that was better left alone. He didn’t know if Lily was ever going to look him in the eyes again.
    He’d just switched off the burner when she and Angie rolled in a double stroller. Grace and Sophie looked as if they were content and almost asleep.
    Crossing to the refrigerator, Angie pulled out milk and orange juice, snagging the coffeepot and bringing it to the table. “You should go back to bed,” Angie told Lily as they pulled out their chairs.
    â€œI have laundry to do, and I want to make up a couple of casseroles and freeze them so we can just pull them out this week if we need them.”
    Although Mitch sat at the table with them, Lilyglanced down at her plate. She picked up a slice of toast, took a bite and set it down again.
    For the next ten minutes, the lump in Mitch’s chest grew as he and Angie made conversation.
    Finally, his breakfast eaten, he asked Lily, “Can I talk to you for a minute before I go?”
    Her attention automatically went to her daughters, but Angie reassured her quickly. “I’ll watch them. Go ahead.”
    There were so many things he wanted to tell Lily as they stood in the foyer. But he couldn’t think of one. She was wearing jeans and a pink sweater and looked as if she were going to face the new day with determination and courage, the way she always did.
    He knew what she wanted to hear from him, so he said it. “You were right. Last night was a mistake. I was out of line.”
    â€œYou weren’t the one who started it,” she admitted honestly. “I don’t know what got into me.”
    â€œYou were grateful for a little help,” he said with a smile that didn’t come from inside. “A lot of help,” she returned, gazing into his eyes like she used to.
    â€œAre you going to be okay when Angie leaves for work?”
    â€œI’ll be fine. It’s Raina’s day off. She’s coming over.”
    He nodded, sure her friends would give her any help she needed, at least for a while. But he also knew Lily wouldn’t want to burden them and she’d soon be taking all of it on herself.
    They couldn’t get involved for so many reasons. What if Lily ever saw his scars, learned his fears? The lastrelationship he’d tried a few years ago hadn’t worked because of all of it. Nothing had changed since then, and on Lily’s part, her grief and her connection to Troy was sustaining her in some ways. Missing and longing for him meant loving him. She wasn’t ready to let go of that. Still, Mitch didn’t know how to walk away from her. He couldn’t because he’d promised he wouldn’t.
    â€œI’ll call you in a couple of days, just to see if Grace and Sophie are settling in. If you need anything, you have my number.”
    She reached out and touched his arm, probably feeling the same wall he did, a wall they were both standing behind so they wouldn’t get hurt.
    â€œThank you,” she said softly.
    He left the Victorian again, realizing he didn’t want her thanks. What he did want was still a mystery to him.
    Â 
    A few weeks later, Mitch was driving home from work when he