“What is this place?” Sadie sidled up beside me and looped her arm through mine. She looked nervous like me.
I reared back, unsure of what to tell her. “Um…”
Jaynee exhaled, batting her eyelashes as if embarrassed about ouralmost kiss.“This is where Zander’s mom lives. We’re going to visit with her for a little while. I want you to be on your best behavior. Okay?”
“Okay.” She turned her sweet face to mine. “You can kiss her now.”
Jaynee giggled, covering her mouth. “We weren’t going to kiss.”
“Yeah-huh. I saw you.” Sadie nudged me. “Kiss her. Mommies and daddies kiss.”
“Oh, Sadie. Come here.” She reeled peanut into her arms. “I told you, Zander isn’t your daddy,” she whispered into her ear, but I heard loud and clear.
“Yes he is.” Sadie jerked away from Jaynee and climbed onto my lap. She pulled my sleeve up, revealing part of my tattoo. “My daddy has tattoos just like this. Pretend ones.” She licked my skin and rubbed her thumb on the spot. “Hey, why doesn’t it come off?”
“Because Zander’s are real.” Jaynee caressed Sadie’s cheek. “So see? He isn’t your daddy, sweet girl.”
Jaynee’s words gutted me but not half as much as they destroyed peanut. Her eyes filled with tears, her little lip trembled as she gazed at me. I felt her devastation as if it were my own.
“Oh.” Sadie flew off my lap as if I’d become a stranger and buried her face in Jaynee’s chest.
I was done.
Not only did I feel rejected, but this conversation proved I wasn’t good for Jaynee and Sadie. They both wanted someone they could depend on. Someone who would stick around for the long haul. I wanted to be that man, but I didn’t know if I could.
“Mr. Quinn?”
I turned toward the nurse’s voice. She wheeled Miss Donna over to where we were sitting.
My mom stared straight at me with a smile. “Zander! Oh, I’m happy to see you.” Her zeal took the air out of my lungs. I couldn’t believe it. She hadn’t been this aware in months, maybe longer.
I practically jumped to my feet to hug her. “Mom, you look beautiful. God, I missed you.” She’d never know how much it meant that she recognized me. I gently hugged her frail body, hoping this wouldn’t be the last time she remembered me.
Swallowing my emotion, I teared up. I was fucking scared this would be the last time I’d ever get to hug her.
One more month with her wasn’t enough.
I wanted one more Christmas. One more year.
I needed my mom.
“Thank you.” She patted my arm. “I forgot you’re wife and daughter’s name.” She tapped two fingers on her temple. “I’m so forgetful.”
“Oh, um…” My heart thundered in my chest. I shot my gaze to Jaynee’s in a silent plea to help me. We weren’t supposed to correct or argue with Alzheimer’s patients.
Jaynee came to my side and laced her fingers with mine. “My name is Jaynee, Miss Donna. It’s so good to see you again.”
My lovely woman saved me. She came to my rescue flawlessly.
“Thank you, baby.” I kissed her cheek.
“No need to thank me.” She peered over her shoulder at Sadie. “Come and say hi to Miss Donna, Sadie.”
I held my breath. No way in hell did I expect Sadie to play along. This could end badly.
“Hi, Miss Donna.” She leaned against my legs. “I like your house. It’s big.”
“Oh, you don’t have to call me Miss Donna, like your daddy. Call me grandma, peanut.”