Fearless In Love

Reading had been the lifeline that got her through dark days. And tonight she wanted to bear witness to Matt sharing his love of books with his son.

The sight would be all the more poignant after the emotional story Matt had told her at dinner. His pain was almost something she could touch, and she’d envisioned him wanting to charge to the rescue only to have little Noah rescue himself. She wasn’t sure Matt saw it that way, but eventually, with her help, he would. Noah was an amazing little boy.

And his father was an amazing man.

Matt hauled Noah up and slung him over his shoulder, making his son squeal with delight all the way to the bed. Ari settled into a wicker chair by the window, curling her feet beneath her as she watched father and son.

Matt’s big body dwarfed the twin bed as he leaned against the headboard with Noah nestled into him and the book open between them. He flipped a couple of pages. “Here we are. The fearsome giant has come down from the mountains into the village.” He deepened his voice. “Gregor the giant roared while the villagers ran. His footsteps were a great thumping that toppled all the vegetables on the grocer’s cart.”

Noah pointed at the page. “He doesn’t look very mean, Daddy.”

Matt glanced down at Noah tucked beneath his arm. “Maybe he’s not really a scary giant. Maybe he stubbed his toe on the way down the mountain and that’s why he roars.”

“Look.” Noah tapped the book. “He’s on one foot, hopping because his toe hurts.”

They studied the illustration, then Matt began to make up their own story. “What if Gregor the Giant actually wants to ask for help? But why would a giant need a tiny villager’s help?”

Noah gazed up at him. “Because…” He bit his lip, thinking. For all his energy, Ari could see that he was also a pensive child—cerebral, as Matt had put it earlier. According to Daniel, Matt had been the same. “I know!” Noah finally said. “He needs help because his little boy is sick.”

“Do giants have little boys?”

“Of course. They’re just like you and me, Daddy, except they’re real big.”

The new story unfolded before Ari’s eyes, about Gregor the Giant and his brave but sick little boy Noah. She was captivated by the love they shared and how their minds worked so beautifully together. Matt’s love shone through every silly character voice he made up, every time he chuckled with Noah, every new and outrageous story element they added. He was the essence of fatherhood, the epitome of love.

Unbidden, she realized her eyes were growing damp. Ari sniffed softly, and Matt looked up, holding her gaze as he spoke another line in the Giant’s voice. “Thank you for helping my little boy. I will give anything you desire.” His words burrowed deep inside as his eyes held her captive. “But now, young master, it is time for you to sleep.”

“No,” Noah crowed.

“Yes,” Matt said in the deep giant voice and laid aside the book they hadn’t actually read. He scooched Noah down in the bed. “Good night.”

Ari uncurled from the ball she’d formed on the wicker chair and came to Noah’s other side. “What a story,” she said, smoothing his dark curls. “I can’t wait for another one tomorrow night.” She kissed his forehead. “Sleep tight.”

“Night, Ari. Night, Daddy,” he said, already sounding sleepy as Matt kissed him and said, “I love you.”

Matt followed her out, closing the door halfway, leaving Noah with the beam of a night-light. She stopped, leaning against the far wall across from the balustrade. “You’re some storyteller.”

“He’d sleep with books if I let him. Just like I wanted to when I was a kid.” He propped a shoulder against the wall beside her. “You’re good with him, Ari. I wouldn’t have considered letting him shower by himself yet, but you made him feel capable.”

She blushed with the compliment, but also from the closeness of his big, male body in the hall. She was average height in her sneakers, but he made her feel petite and feminine. “You’re a wonderful father. Making up that story with him—you’ve got a gift.”

“No gift. Just that he’s everything to me.” When he settled more comfortably against the wall, she pretended it was because he didn’t want to let her go yet. At least until he asked, “What are your after-school plans tomorrow? The zoo?” Of course he’d want her itinerary for her first full day of caring for his son.

“I thought we’d get to know each other for a couple of days before we head out and about.”

The house was so quiet now, even the normal creaks and groans absent. Though it was all in her head, it felt as though the silence settled around them like intimacy.

“When we’re ready for trips to the museum or zoo,” she continued, “is there a number to call to arrange an outing with your driver?”

“You can give Doreen your plans each morning. As my full-time employee, she also makes sure all the cars are gassed up, washed, and maintained.”

Earlier, Ari had gotten the tour of the six-car garage, one space housing only a man’s mountain bike and a child’s bicycle on training wheels. Matt had told her the spot was available for her use, though she was embarrassed to park her ancient Honda next to all the luxury cars with their waxed-to-a-sheen paint jobs.

“I usually drive myself to work unless I have meetings in the city,” he said. “And though I do have to visit factories domestically and abroad, I still try to stay local as much as possible.” He obviously didn’t want to leave his son for long periods or too often. “Videoconferencing is the miracle of the modern age.”

When he smiled and his clean, masculine scent filled her head, she almost forgot all the questions she had for him. Think about Noah.

“Since you mentioned Noah was reading Purplicious, it’s obvious his reading skills are developed even if he likes you to read to him before bed.”

“Yeah, he loves story time. But he’s a good reader, pretty advanced.” Matt dipped his head a moment, looking at the carpet. “Books are so important to a kid.”

“I know. In foster care, books from the library were just about all I had.” And before that too, living with her mother.

When he looked back up and said, “I practically lived at the library as a kid,” she could have sworn a spark lit between them.