CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Ryan~
The rattle of hail on the windows interrupted them before she could process his words.
“I have to get Jimmy in from the yard.” She hurried to the side door.
Ryan limped after her. His leg slowed him to a crawl. Shift. “Relax. A little wet won’t hurt him. But I’d like to meet him in person.”
She whirled. Hands on heart. The Cat’s Eye flashed. His heart leaped. This delectable female was his queen. Could love be instantaneous? He had better remember she had already given hers away. And to his own fricking cousin.
“I need to prepare him.”
“For what? He’s probably noticed his friends have fathers as well as mothers. And asked why he doesn’t.”
She nodded. “He has.”
“What did you tell him?”
“That his daddy had to go away.” Her lips twisted. “I didn’t want to lie and say his father was dead.”
“Good. So introduce me as his long-lost father.”
“But you’re not.”
“He’s getting pelted while you dither, woman. Listen, sweetheart, a secret is only a secret if it’s kept a secret. You can’t tell anyone that this marriage is not four years old. Not even your parents. Certainly not a three-year-old who won’t understand and will prattle it everywhere.” He reached past her and opened the French door.
“Jimmy,” she called.
The boy was ignoring the cold and catching the ice pellets in his cupped hands. When his mom spoke he came running with his fists full of the small white balls. “It’s raining ice cubes,” he shouted. “See!”
He skidded to a halt and peered up at Ryan. His eyes narrowed in a greeting blink. Ryan blinked back, delighted to see this feline instinct in his son. “It’s Cat,” Jimmy yelled.
Claudia was looking stricken – again.
Ryan squatted awkwardly, sticking his right leg out straight. He held out his arms and Jimmy ran into them. Hail scattered onto the ratty carpet and began to melt. Ryan hugged his son close. The compact little body nestled against his heart. Who said love at first sight didn’t happen?
“Hello, Cat,” Jimmy cried happily. “Mom,” he turned in Ryan’s arms. “It’s my friend, Cat.”
Ryan met Claudia’s eyes. She swallowed. “This is your father, Jimmy.”
Jimmy squirmed even closer. “I knew it!” he squealed.
There was only one thing to do and Ryan did it. He gathered his strength and hoisted himself upright on one leg with the boy in his arms. It was an ungraceful operation. But at least he didn’t drop his son. Jimmy put both arms around Ryan’s neck and throttled him. “Are you really my Daddy?” he stage whispered.
“I am.”
“My Daddy!” Another fierce, throttling hug.
“Sit down before you fall down,” Claudia was on her knees gathering the hail from the carpet.
“Daddy Cat has a hurt leg,” Jimmy announced loudly as Ryan staggered back to the armchair. He had lost his cane somewhere.
“He does. So you have to be gentle with him,” Claudia advised. “And try to use your inside voice.”
“Okay,” trumpeted Jimmy. The kid had been quiet enough in the woods. He apparently took the mute button off indoors. Just like his cousins.
Ryan settled the cub on his lap with Jimmy’s weight on his left leg. “I’m glad to meet you, son,” he said very quietly.
“And I’m glad to meet you,” bellowed Jimmy. “Mommy.” He swiveled, crushing Ryan’s right thigh, “Is my daddy going to live with us, like Matthew’s daddy?”
Claudia swallowed. She smiled. At least Ryan thought that was what her mouth was trying to do. The soft plushy quality had disappeared. Her lips were now two thin, pale lines. “Yes,” she croaked. She cleared her throat, “Yes, he is.”
Bingo. He had her.
“Can he sleep in my room?”
It was a better suggestion than the boy knew. “I think that would be a grand idea – just until we get to know one another better,” Ryan said. “Do you want to show me your room?”
“Yes!”
Claudia looked dubious but she handed Ryan his cane. He set Jimmy on his feet and took one small pudgy hand in his. Jimmy tugged him down a crooked hall to a minuscule room.
The narrow bed was tucked under the window between the two side walls. A tiny dresser with a bookcase resting on it was crammed between the bed and the door. A red, white and blue, oval rag rug filled up the remaining floor space. All the floor space.
“Where will I sleep?” Ryan asked.
“In my bed, with me.” Jimmy suddenly looked concerned. His gaze went from the bed, traveled up to Ryan’s eyes and back down again. “Will we both fit?” he asked his mother.
“I can’t see how. Daddy is too big. Maybe Daddy should sleep at his house for a little longer.”
“No! Matthew’s daddy sleeps in Matthew’s mommy’s bed.”
“That’s traditional, son,” Ryan assured the boy. “I bet your Grandma Peterson shares a room with your Grandpa.”
Jimmy nodded. “They do. And when I stay with them I get to snuggle in the morning.”
“Also traditional. But I have a better suggestion. I could sleep on your rug in cougar.”
Claudia looked shocked. Jimmy looked beyond delighted. But then he shook his head. “Not in the house,” he explained sadly. “It’s a rule.”
It was. Queen’s Rule Number One. But how did the boy know that? Ryan looked at Claudia, who shrugged.
“You’ll get used to it,” she informed him dryly.
Get used to what? But this was no time to discuss the boy. It was imperative that he make it plain to Claudia that she was in charge. No cougar ever bullied his mate. A cougar’s queen was his to cherish. This match might be cobbled together, but it was likely to be the only one he ever had. And it was going to be as traditional as he could manage.
“It’s your mom’s house,” he told Jimmy firmly. “She gets to decide where we all sleep.”
“We’ll have supper first,” she said. “And decide afterward.”
“But, Mom,” wailed Jimmy.
“You heard your mother,” Ryan said quietly. He flashed a quick look at Jimmy from narrowed eyes.
Jimmy had a half-second when he thought of escalating his challenge. But he must have decided that Ryan meant business, for he smiled blindingly. His eyes blinked at Ryan, who blinked back lovingly.
“What’s for dinner?” Ryan asked his wife.