Page 98 of Falling Together

I cover her mouth with my hand, not letting her finish. “Nope. You make it a point to stay busy, so I’m making you slow down. If not for you, for our kid.”

The fight slips out of her.

“I’ve never had anyone take care of me before.”

“You haven’t?”

I sit on the edge of the tub, rolling my sleeves up to test the water. She threads her fingers through my hair, staring down at me. Emotions fill her eyes.

“My girls take care of me, but not like this.”

I shake the water off my hand, and stand to pull her in for a hug. “I like taking care of you, Cowgirl.”

I go to leave, but she pulls me back.

“Are you going to get in with me?”

“You want me to?”

She hooks a finger into the v of my shirt and pulls me close. “Of course I do.”

Grabbing the hem of her dress, she pulls it up and over her head before toeing out of her boots and dropping her bra and underwear into the pile.

She steps into the tub with a sigh. “This feels really good, Grant.”

I disrobe before getting in behind her. When the water fills the tub, I shut it off and let the steam overwhelm us.

“Want a back rub?” I ask.

“Wow. This is a full service spa.” She laughs.

I dig my fingers into her shoulders, feeling how tight her muscles are. “You should know by now, Georgia. Whatever you need, I’ll give it to you.”

She peeks over her shoulder, eyes closed off.

“I don’t like having to rely on people,” she says.

“Why not?”

“They always leave.”

I sweep the hair off of her shoulder and press a kiss against her soft skin. “Who left you, Georgia?”

“My parents.”

“Your parents?”

“They didn’t care about being a mom and dad. My dad cut out when I was little, and my mom blamed me. When I was thirteen, she left too and I had no one else.”

My hand settles on top of her belly. I rub soothing circles over the tender skin. I let her keep talking without interruption because I sense she needs to get this out.

“I bounced around foster homes until I was sixteen and an older woman took me in. She was nice, but I think it was just a way for her to get extra money. But at least I was safe, which is more than a lot of kids can say. When I left for college, I finally felt free. I did everything I could to never rely on anyone.”

“I’m sorry, Georgia.” It’s all I can say. How can I be irrationally angry at people I’ve never met? I don’t know who could ever give up this woman.

She’s the most kind, caring, genuine person I’ve ever met. I would do anything for her. That’s when it dawns on me.

“This is why you never wanted kids,” I say.