She had wondered at times if Shane ever resented that her own childhood had been so sheltered and privileged compared to his. Yet, because of the loving and generous man he had become despite his own disadvantages, she knew he was happy for her. He had, in fact, done everything he could to contribute to her happiness.
“Maybe Hayes won’t come back again,” she said hopefully. “Maybe once he sobered up, he thought about how much trouble he could get in if he didn’t move on.”
“Maybe,” Shane agreed, but he sounded doubtful. “Don’t you think the boy should be warned that his father’s been here?” Kyle asked—and then quickly backed off by sa
ying, “Not that I’m an expert on this sort of thing. You guys probably know what you’re doing—I just know how I’d feel in his position. I’d want to know.”
“Jacob has only recently started to respond to Dad and me,” Shane explained. “I really hate to remind him of the reasons he was wary of us in the first place.”
“Like I said, you probably know what you’re doing. I don’t know anything about kids.” And his tone suggested he didn’t want to know more.
“If Hayes comes around again, I’ll figure out a way to warn Jacob without sending him back into his shell—I hope,” Shane added. “You’re right that he should know to stay on guard.”
Seeing that both Molly and Kyle had finished their meals, Shane reached for their dishes. “I’ll clear this stuff away. I’m sure you’re both tired. You had a long, eventful trip.”
“Tell us about it,” Molly said with a groan. “I’m wiped out, and I’m sure Kyle is, too.”
“I could use some rest,” Kyle admitted.
“There’s no reason for either of you to get up early in the morning,” Shane said as he stacked plates in the dishwasher. “The boys will be in school, and everything else is under control. Just give us a call when you’re up and about and Kelly and I will come over.”
He didn’t linger much longer. Saying they would visit the next day, after Kyle and Molly rested, he let himself out with a warning to Molly to be careful on the stairs.
Kyle pushed a hand through his hair and glanced at Molly. “I guess we should try to get some sleep.”
She nodded and shoved her chair back, reaching for the crutches. Kyle followed her out of the kitchen, turning out lights behind them as they made their way toward the stairs. Once again, Molly left the crutches at the bottom of the staircase, clinging to the banister to support her weight on the way up. Kyle hovered close by, one hand partially extended in her direction as if to catch her if she stumbled.
They both paused in front of her bedroom door. Turning toward him, Molly locked her fingers in front of her. “So, um—do you need anything?”
The question seemed to hang in the air between them, inviting several possible responses. She could almost see Kyle considering and rejecting several replies before he finally shook his head. “I’ll find whatever I need.”
“Okay. Well…good night.”
“G’ night.” He turned toward his room.
“Kyle,” Molly blurted before he had taken a second step.
He looked over his shoulder. “Yeah?”
“You don’t have to go to your own room just yet.” Turning his head to focus on the room at the end of the hall, he murmured, “I think it’s best if I do.”
“Not for my sake.”
He glanced back at her quickly, and then quickly away. “Maybe I’m going for my own sake.”
She would have given a great deal to know exactly what he meant by that. “Are you still planning to leave tomorrow?”
“If I can make arrangements, yes.”
She swallowed. “Then would it really be so bad for us to spend these last few hours together?”
“I just don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
“There’s no reason for anyone to be hurt, is there? After all, we both know the score here. Neither of us expects anything after this one night, right? No strings. No clinging. No tearful goodbyes. Right?”
He didn’t look like a man who had just been offered exactly what he wanted. Just the opposite. He looked almost annoyed, in fact.
So maybe, she thought with a sinking feeling deep inside her, their lovemaking hadn’t been as spectacular for him as it had been for her. Maybe he had simply acted on impulse, and was now sorry it had ever happened at all.