Now, with Corbin? The image was all too clear.
Watching her, Corbin asked softly, “What about you?” As he so often did, he toyed with her hair, teasing it with his fingertips, tucking it back. “Can you see yourself as a mother?”
“Don’t let it freak you out, but I already do.” To keep it light, she tipped her head back to look at him upside down. “I know Justin isn’t mine, but I wish he was. I want to mother him. I want to show him how it should be when decisions are all guided by love, when he can feel that he’s cared for and safe.”
“He adores you,” Corbin said with significance. “It’s a big plus for me. At this point, I’m not sure I’d bring someone into his life who he didn’t like.”
“Then yay for me.” She smiled. “He’s pretty easy to adore right back.”
Behind them, the door opened, and Lang stepped out. He’d walked Hope home a little while ago, and it looked as if he’d just gotten out of the shower. An ominous shadow filled his eyes. “Sorry to interrupt, but your cell phone rang, so I answered it.”
Corbin turned, took in Lang’s expression and went rigid with alarm. “Who is it?”
Jaw tightening, Lang said, “It’s Darcie. She’s waiting to talk to you.”
A sort of suspended dread held them all immobile, then Corbin got to his feet with a rush of determined resolve. “At least she waited until Justin was asleep.” He held out a hand to Ivey, but said to Lang, “You’ll help her gather up the dogs?”
“Sure.” Lang searched Corbin’s face. “I’ll also listen for Justin, just in case he wakes up.”
“Thanks.” Corbin gave Ivey a quick, soft kiss. “Go ahead and get ready for bed. I’ll fill you in when I’m done.”
Her heart beat too quickly, but Ivey hoped she projected an air of calm. “All right.” She stopped him with a touch to his shoulder. “Good luck.”
His brief smile held no humor, then he went inside.
“It’ll be fine,” Lang assured her, but he looked worried, too.
They got the pets inside and settled. Maurice stuck close to her while she showered and changed into a sleep shirt and shorts. She’d left Lang sitting in the great room looking morose while Corbin had carried the phone downstairs, to ensure Justin wouldn’t wake and overhear.
She joined Lang on the couch. The TV was on, but neither of them were watching. They didn’t engage in idle chitchat or try to pretend nothing was wrong. Ivey stroked Maurice, taking comfort in his nearness as always, and Lang occasionally patted her knee.
It was every bit of an hour later when Corbin finally finished his call. Cell phone in hand, he came into the great room and stood facing them both.
After a quick glance toward the stairs, he said, “She’s in the hospital. Apparently she collapsed outside her hotel room.”
“Here in Sunset?” Ivey asked, alarmed by all the complications winging through her brain.
“Next town over.” He took a seat on the ottoman. “I’m going to see her tomorrow morning.” He turned to Lang. “That is, if you can keep an eye on Justin.”
Sitting forward, Lang set aside his beer and nodded. “Absolutely. No problem.” And then, “She didn’t ask to see him?”
“She did, but I said no. There are things we need to discuss first.” Corbin rubbed his mouth. “She didn’t confirm it, but I think she OD’d.”
“Dear God,” Ivey whispered. It was a selfish thought, but she was grateful the woman hadn’t been in Sunset when it happened, otherwise gossip would have run amok through the small town. Corbin and Justin lived here now. This was their home, and Ivey would rather they have some space between problems as serious as that.
“I might be there all day.” Staring into Ivey’s eyes, Corbin said quietly, “She’s getting discharged soon, but she doesn’t have any money, and she doesn’t have anywhere to go.”
Shock stole through her, making her jaw loosen.
Lang gave a muttered curse, then got up to pace.
“You...” Her mouth was too dry. Without giving it a thought, she snatched up Lang’s beer and took a long drink. Licking her lips and drawing a steadying breath, she asked, “You’re bringing her here?”
“Christ, no.” Corbin’s mouth firmed. “I’m going to make her an offer of assistance and hope like hell that she takes it.”
“An offer of assistance?” Ivey repeated.
He lowered his voice. “I don’t think she really wants him. I’m hoping if she gets on her feet, if she has other options, she won’t focus on him. But even if she does, it’d be better if she was stable.”
Ivey stared at him in wonder. “Good God, you are wonderful.”
“A freaking saint,” Lang complained, sounding very unhappy about it.
“No,” Ivey whispered, and she got up to hug Corbin tight. “He’s a man who loves his son and wants the best for him.”
Corbin closed his arms around her, and even after Lang headed off to bed, they stood there like that.
Yes, Corbin would do everything in his power to take care of his son.
And while he did, Ivey would take care of him.
* * *
It was late morning by the time Corbin arrived at the hospital. He’d told Justin that he had some business to take care of and might be gone for a while, but repeatedly affirmed for him that he would be back before bedtime. He assuaged his guilt with the reasoning that it was only a small lie to protect his son from anxiety.
Right now, his visit with Darcie was business—the business of protecting Justin’s future.
Making himself smile for Justin, Corbin had done his utmost to treat the morning like any other. Overall he’d been successful, but there had been a few moments where Justin had seemed to see right through his bullshit, as if he knew a lot was on the line.
Someday, with enough love and security, Justin would stop waiting for the worst to happen. What Corbin was about to try was a risk, but Ivey understood that it was necessary. For his son. For himself.
For their future.
He wanted her in his life, now and always. He wanted peace in his household, too. To that end, he would try anything, no matter how difficult it might be.
Walking into the hospital, Corbin thought about Ivey and Lang, about their help during a time of his life that was both jubilant—because he had his son—and the scariest thing he’d ever faced—because his son’s mother was so unpredictable. They were forced to worry right along with him, and even while he regretted that, he was grateful that he had them.