16. Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Adalyn swiveled slightly on the bar top stool of the kitchen island, looked at Gumbo who had a tiara on her head and a boa around her neck. “I can’t tell if she’s plotting to poop in my shoes later or not.”
Antonia snickered as she sat next to her, set a cafecito in front of her. “You sure you want this so late?” she asked as she took a sip of her own.
“Yeah, I can sleep anywhere, anytime.” And she had.
“Gumbo is definitely plotting something, but she really does look like she’s holding court,” Antonia said, laughing lightly. “And you were smart to bring her, but now my girls are going to be begging for a dog even harder.”
“They’ve got a bunch at the shelter if you’re looking.”
Antonia sighed, turned away slightly from the adorable sight. “I hate saying no to anything right now but I can’t imagine adding another living thing to take care of at the moment.”
Oh, right. “Of course not. Do you need help with anything? And I’m sorry, I know that’s a dumb question. But…I want to help.”
“Other than the envelopes of cash you left?” The woman’s lips quirked up slightly.
Adalyn shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “I thought I was doing the right thing.”
Antonia shrugged, glanced back at her girls. An animated movie was on in the background, and the three of them plus Gumbo had now moved onto big throw pillows as they all stretched out. “It’s certainly not going to hurt. And I am appreciative. And…if I’m being honest, I invited you here to size you up a little. I didn’t think there was a real possibility that Rory cheated—”
“Jeez, no. Never. And I hadn’t even seen him in years until everything happened, but no way. When he talked about you and his girls, his entire face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning.”
Tears filled Antonia’s dark eyes, but she quickly dashed them away. “I know that. In my heart I do. And I knew the risks of his job, but when he made detective, I thought…” She shook her head, glanced away again, looking at the girls. “They’re doing well at least. Cara has taken it the hardest, but she’s the oldest.”
“I’m sorry.” Adalyn didn’t know what else to say.
“Thank you. We have good days and bad days. My parents are coming to stay for the Christmas holiday so I’ll have help while the girls are off school and they’ll get to spend time with their grandparents.”
“I could…watch them?”
“That sounds like a question.”
“Well, I don’t know if you should trust me. I don’t know much about kids. I feel like Gumbo would probably do a better job than me.” Though her husband would probably be perfect. The man was good with everyone, including kids. He just had that personality, that innate goodness about him.
“Do you want kids? I hope that’s okay to ask,” she added, rubbing a hand over her face. “I know I’m not supposed to ask that normally but I’m pretty sure you and I are past all that.”
“Yeah, I don’t care and I honestly don’t know. Rowan and I have talked about it and don’t want any right now. But…maybe. I just want to make sure it’s the right time.”
Antonia smiled and it softened all her edges. “I don’t know if it’s ever truly the right time. That said, we waited a few years and I’m so glad we did. I got a lot of good time with Rory.” There was a wistful note in her voice and Adalyn could see the exhaustion creeping in .
She slid off the stool. “I’m going to clean up your kitchen then head out.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I know, but I want to. And I’m glad you ordered me to come to dinner tonight.”
Antonia grinned, took a sip of her cafecito. “Fleur told me that bossy would work with you. And that you wouldn’t say no to tacos.”
“My sister is rarely wrong.”