“Why would being a twin put her off me?”
“Lots of reasons. If she is looking for a life partner to settle down and have children with, then the chance of multiples in pregnancy is higher with a twin parent. There’s also the worry she might mistake your brother for you one day and embarrass herself.”
I let myself imagine for a moment what a child created by me and Paige might look like, with my eyes and her hair. Then I stop dead in my tracks.
“How long ago was it that Ron found Ryder, exactly?” I ask, my heart racing as I piece the puzzle together.
“It must have been six years ago, at least. Why?”
“I am so f*cking stupid. I think Ryder might be the kid’s father,” I admit, realising how crazy it sounds now that I’m saying the words out loud.
“How can he be? Even if it was a possibility that he hooked up with this woman, you look so much alike that she would have recognised you as him.”
“You’re right,” I sigh, but I don’t fully believe it. I need to find out more, starting with a heart-to-heart with my brother.
**Paige’s POV **
Under no circumstances do you spring a surprise like this on Ryder Madden. Especially when I’m so filled with anger and likely to snap at him.
The Ryder I knew had a very short temper, and whilst I’m confident he wouldn’t hurt me. I’m sure he will find someone to pick a fight with, and that won’t end well.
The last thing I need is for him to end up in prison just when I finally found him.
Hatred simmers in me. How could he do this? Why couldn’t he pick up a phone and let me know he was okay? Hell, he could have even emailed me, or sent a postcard, a carrier pigeon… anything.
All these years I’ve struggled, raising our child alone whilst grieving for him and my parents, and he’s been here, reunited with his brother and pretending I never existed.
I’m happy he’s alive and well, and that he has found family, but I can’t help but be furious, too.
How do I handle this? There’s no guidebook for my situation.
“Where did Cal go?” Jax asks as he comes downstairs in his pyjamas, freshly washed and ready for bed.
“He had to go… there was a leak at his house, but he told me to tell you good night,” I lie, squashing down my guilt to deal with later.
“Oh, I wanted to show him my teddy,” he says with an adorable pout, clutching the wolf teddy against his chest.
“You can show it to him next time,” I reassure him. “How about I come and read you a story in bed?”
“Yes, please. Can we read the robot one again?” He asks, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
“Sure thing. You go on up and get the book. I’ll be up as soon as I finish these dishes.”
Jaxon runs upstairs, his small feet thudding on the stairs, making Him sound more like a baby elephant than a small child.
I wash the dishes, wishing I hadn’t made Callen leave. I should have had him stay until Jax was asleep and then told him the truth. He might have been a good ally to have through this. Instead I’d freaked out and told him it was time for him to leave. He probably thinks I’m a nutter now.
After putting the dishes away, I head upstairs to find Jaxon waiting in bed with the book open, looking at the pictures. We read his book twice before he starts to get sleepy.
“Good night, baby boy,” I say, pulling up the duvet and kissing his head. “I love you.”
“I love you too, mummy” he says, his eyes fluttering as he tries to light his sleep.
Ispend a couple of hours trying to work on the manuscript I have que, but the hotspot on my phone is just not cutting it. My mind is elsewhere, and I need a real internet connection.
With a sigh, I close my laptop lid and head upstairs for a shower, then go to bed. I spend hours thinking about Ryder, and when I do finally fall asleep, I see him there too.
Ryder looks at me with a soft smile. His dazzling blue eyes trying distract me from what is important.
“Why didn’t you come back for me?” I demand.
“I couldn’t. I wanted to, but I witnessed a crime, and they put me der witness protection. They didn’t allow me to contact you because it could endanger you,” he explains, wrapping his arms around me.
“Why didn’t you take me with you?” I ask, relaxing in his hold where I feel safe.
“I didn’t want to ruin your life, You had wonderful parents and a sister that idolised you. I couldn’t rip you away from that.” Ryder lifts my face with a finger under my chin and leans down to unite his lips with mine. All my worries and hurt fade away with that simple kiss.
I wake up even more angry at him, and myself. Even my brain is trying to make excuses for him now. There is nothing he can say that will excuse what he did. Well, maybe amnesia or something like that.
Jax helps me make pancakes for breakfast, and then we bake cookies for our new landlord’s visit. The doorbell rings at exactly 10:30 just like we had agreed, and I open the door to find a man who looks to be in his fifties or sixties. His hair is grey, and his cheeks are a deep red. He wears a friendly smile and his green eyes look kind.
“Mr Sanderson,” I greet, “Please, come in.’
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Paige. Please, call me, Paul,” he smiles before stepping in and following me to the kitchen island, where the plate of freshly baked cookies sits.
“Hello, Lord, we made you cookies,” Jax says proudly, and Paul laughs.
“Well, that’s the first time anyone has addressed me as Lord. You must be Jaxon?” he says with fondness.
“I am. Thank you for letting us stay in your house. My bed is comfy” Jax says before slipping off the chair and heading into the lounge to put the TV on.
“Cute kid, I have a granddaughter around his age. She is a whirlwind,” Paul smiles as he watches Jax go.
“Thanks. Yes, they can be such little balls of energy sometimes,” laugh. “I really appreciate what you did for us, letting us move in on such short notice.”
I make coffee for us, and we go through some paperwork to make things official.
“That’s all for now. If you have any issues, don’t hesitate to call,” he says as he stands to leave.
“Thanks Paul. This is a beautiful house. I think we will like it here, especially with the woods at the back to explore,” I say as I follow him to the door.
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