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for his pain over Marco compel her to reach out and squeeze his hand. And then he had literally taken her breath away.

Unfortunately, the tea hadn’t produced the results she had hoped for, and she had spent a good portion of the night shifting from side to side, while her thoughts kept turning to Red…

As she got out of bed, Ronnie reminded herself that she had Andy to think about. And she could not—would not—get involved with Red. No matter how much she was attracted to him.

She had no intention of trusting her deepest emotions to any man and then getting hurt if it didn’t work out. More importantly, she didn’t want Andy to get hurt.

Ronnie removed her locket before stepping into the shower. She really didn’t have to worry that Red would be pursuing her. He had made it clear that he wanted them both to forget what had happened. And he obviously had trust issues, as well. His previous relationship hadn’t worked out, and Ronnie didn’t blame him for not wanting to repeat that kind of scenario with someone else.

So why, then, knowing all this, did she feel a twinge of hurt over his readiness to forget?

* * *

Red shut off his laptop and gazed at the ball of fur resting in her pet bed. Ginger had been surprisingly quiet during the night, so he couldn’t blame the kitten for his lack of sleep. What had kept him awake were the images that kept popping up in his mind. Dozens of images of Ronnie that circulated in his memory incessantly: her dazed look after spinning out; her peaceful expression while sleeping on the recliner; the breathtaking skate on the pond; the wonder on her face at the CN Tower; her pleasure as she watched Ginger’s antics; and her luminous brown eyes that had seemed to melt into his when he had leaned forward to kiss her…

Declaring that he and Ronnie should just forget what had happened between them had been unrealistic. At least for him. She had seemed to have no problem agreeing that it would be best to forget.

He sighed. Why did thinking about Ronnie hurt?

Because you want her…

He blinked. He did want her. In his house and in his life.

Child and all.

It was time to stop living in the past. He had to accept that Marco had been a temporary gift in his life. Someone who had shown him that he had the capacity to love a child who wasn’t biologically his and that he would be loved back. After considering what Ronnie had told him, Red knew it was time to accept the past and let go. He would never forget Marco, but he could move on and not feel guilty about it.

And now Red had the opportunity to accept and love another child simply because he was in love with the child’s mother.

The realization shook him to the core. He didn’t just want Ronnie; he was in love with her. He just had to come up with a way to make her feel the same way…

But would Ronnie trust him to stick around, even if times got tough? The stakes were high for her too, but he had to find a way to show her that he’d be there for the long run, through sunshine and storms. In sickness and in health. For both her and Andy.

There must be some way he could make her believe…

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

ANDY WAS FAST ASLEEP before Ronnie had finished the first song. Her heart swelled at the sight of his long, feathery lashes on his flushed cheeks. She was so glad to have him home. Earlier, when Andy had pulled open the dresser drawers to get a fresh set of pajamas, Ronnie’s heartbeat had accelerated at the sight of his clothes arranged in neat piles. By Red. Knowing now that his past relationship had included the woman’s child, for whom he had cared a great deal, Ronnie realized that going into Andy’s room must have brought back some bittersweet memories…

And perhaps the reason Red had been ready to leave after that…

Ronnie’s thoughts went back to the afternoon she and Andy had spent with Casson and Justine. They were perfect for each other, and they were so in love with their adorable baby. They deserved every happiness.

And so do you, her inner voice murmured.

Yes, she did. And she was happy. But she couldn’t deny that there was a hollow in a corner of her heart, and wondered if it would ever be filled by love of a different kind…the love of a partner. A man whose love could encompass her son, as well. Without it, there would be no relationship.

But you didn’t want a relationship…

Her inner voice was right. She hadn’t wanted one after her marriage had ended, hadn’t had time to even consider fitting another person in her life.

And now?

Now, nothing. Red Brannigan II had entered her life and there had been a mutual physical attraction between them, but he had clearly stated that they should forget what had happened. Ronnie put away her mug and got ready for bed, deliberately shifting her thoughts to Andy. She couldn’t wait for his birthday tomorrow. He would be turning seven and celebrating with his family at home, unlike last year.

This birthday would be his best so far. He deserved it. Ronnie vowed that every birthday after that would be better than the last. This year, a kitten… What she needed to think about was whether she would go and pick up Ginger, or if she should just call Red to see if he could drop the kitten off at Casson’s. If she went with the latter, she could avoid seeing him.

Why did she feel so conflicted? She sighed. Tomorrow was a big day and she hoped that, unlike the night before, she’d be able to have a decent sleep.

Without the memory of those blue-green eyes and that red-hot kiss breaking into her dreams.

* * *

Red had spent half the night