Page 65 of The Healing Garden

But Sam and Norma both loved it. They’d had been married a year now, and baby Olivia was nearly six months old. Sam was absolutely besotted by her. It might have started when Norma was several months into her pregnancy, and the baby responded to his voice by kicking inside Norma’s stomach. Or it might have been when he first held the infant, and Olivia stared at him as if he were the moon and the stars. Or it might have been the night when she was a week old and wouldn’t settle down. Sam had walked the floor with her for hours, until they both fell asleep on the couch, Olivia cradled in his arms.

Currently, Sam was walking the floor with her relaxed against his shoulder. It was naptime, but she seemed to sense that her mother was out of the apartment. On Saturdays, Sam took over baby care for a few hours while his wife caught up on errands that were made complicated with a baby. She’d gone to the library to return books.

When Olivia squirmed and lifted her head, Sam patted her back, “Shh, baby girl. Time to sleep now.”

Her little body relaxed as he continued to gently pat her back. He began to hum, knowing that the vibrations of his chest would soothe her even more. Soon, her breathing deepened, and her fingers loosened from where they’d been gripping his shirtsleeve. Now for the transfer. He walked slowly into the bedroom, where they’d set the bassinet on the other side of the bed. Not that Olivia slept in it much. She was starting to turn over on her own, and was close to sitting up, so they really needed to invest in a crib. Or maybe borrow one? The last expense they could afford was furniture pieces.

Carefully, Sam transferred Olivia to the bassinet. She stirred, but thankfully didn’t fully awaken. A missed nap would mess up her night schedule because she’d fall asleep way too early. Then the vicious cycle would begin. Sam exhaled silently and set a folded baby blanket across her. Her eyelashes fluttered, and he was struck by how much she looked like Norma. Honey-colored hair and green eyes.

Sam gazed at Olivia for a long moment. He didn’t know if he could love this baby any more than he did. Not even if she were his own flesh and blood. Watching Norma in her motherhood had been a tender and sweet experience. It had brought him closer to her, and he could honestly say that he loved his wife. Whatever collision path they’d taken to get to this moment didn’t matter in the long run. What mattered was that they were together now.

Someone knocked at the front door, and Sam moved out of the bedroom, shutting the door behind him. He hoped the sound wouldn’t wake up Olivia. Maybe Norma had forgotten her keys? She was back earlier than he’d expected, but it would be nice to spend some quiet time together during Olivia’s nap. When the child was awake, she took full attention from both of them.

Sam swung open the front door, fully prepared to see Norma. But a man stood on the porch, framed by the gray clouds beyond. A man who Sam recognized immediately. His skin went cold, and his stomach felt like he’d just plummeted off a three-story building. “David?”

“I didn’t believe it when everyone told me.” David wore a pressed dress shirt and black slacks. His dark hair was slicked back, shoes shined. In his hand he carried a bouquet of flowers.

It didn’t take much deduction to decipher who he was here to see and why.

“I couldn’t figure out why another man would take on a pregnant woman,” David continued, his tone tight, his eyes perusing Sam. “But after working in California for a while, I began to miss her. I went out with a few gals, but no one was as sweet or as beautiful as my Norma. I asked around, and it seems that I was the only fella in her life. So that baby is mine, and Norma asked to make a life with me. And I turned her down.”

Sam’s blood simmered. He stepped onto the front stoop and pulled the door tightly closed behind him. Folding his arms, he said, “Don’t speak about my wife like that, David.”

The man had the gall to laugh. “Wife...yeah, you really did marry her. Legal and everything. I checked at the courthouse.”

Sam tilted his head. “What do you want?”

David’s lip curled. “I’m back for good. And I’m back to get what’s rightfully mine. I don’t care if you married her. That’s my kid in there, and Norma’s my girl.”

It was Sam’s turn to laugh, although his sounded bitter. “You signed away your parental rights. Norma showed me. And I’ve legally adopted Olivia.” Whoops.

David’s brows lifted. “Olivia? That’s her name?”

“Norma is my wife, not your girl.” Sam took a step closer. “You’d better leave now, or you’ll get what’s coming to you.”

Again, David sized him up. “You think you can take me?”

“I can take you.” He might be a college student, and David might have the physique of a mechanic, but Sam was defending his own. There was no way he’d be the one to go down.

David’s chuckle was low. “As much as I’d love to get into a brawl with you, I’d rather hear what Norma has to say when she sees me.”

Sam had never been so glad of his wife going on an errand. “She’s not available right now.”

A line appeared between David’s brows, and he shifted his stance. “I can wait.”

Sam wished he could contact Norma and give her fair warning. Maybe he could track her down at the library. Maybe...A familiar figure came into view at the end of the parking area.

Sam’s heart rate spiked. Norma was already coming home. There was no way to send David on his way without her noticing him. He exhaled a thready breath. This was it. The moment he hoped would never come. David returning with an apology and a changed heart, begging for forgiveness.

And now, Norma had a decision to make.

David didn’t miss Sam’s gaze shifting, and he turned, releasing a low whistle when he spotted who was walking their way. Over one shoulder she carried a canvas bag. Likely filled with more books and maybe a few items she’d picked up for dinner. All so ordinary, but not ordinary at all. Not with the situation she was about to walk into.

Sam saw the moment Norma realized who the man was on her doorstep. Her mouth thinned into a line and her brows tugged together. He hoped that was a good sign, that she was displeased, and she’d send her ex away.

“Well hello, darling,” David boomed with a grin as she neared.

“David?” Norma looked from him to Sam, then back to him. “What are you doing here?”