“That’s not a concern, but thank you for letting me know.”
“It matters to me that you stepped up before you knew any of that.”
Amanda used a tissue to mop up her tears. “I’ve never stopped thinking of her. Not for one minute.”
“That matters to me, too. I’d like for you and Stella to meet in person as soon as we can make that happen.”
“Would the weekend after next work for you?” Amanda wanted Landon with her, and with his brother’s wedding that coming weekend, she couldn’t ask him to miss it.
“Yes, that’d be fine.”
“Very good. I’ll speak to you before then, and we’ll make some plans.”
“I hope you know that you’ve provided peace of mind for someone you’ve never met.”
“I wish there was more I could do.”
“This is more than enough. Stella will want to call again soon.”
“I’ll be here. Any time. Maybe we could FaceTime next time.”
“I’m sure she’d love that. Thank you again.”
They said their goodbyes. Amanda turned off the portable phone and placed it on the coffee table. After a long moment of silence, she said, “So that was my daughter.”
“That was your daughter.” He drew her into his arms and held on tight. “She sounds delightful.”
“Doesn’t she?”
“I can’t wait to meet her. I can only imagine how you must feel.”
“I feel very lucky I’m getting this second chance with her, but awful about what’s happening to Kelly.”
“It’s a very fine line between elation and devastation.”
“Yes,” she said, relieved he understood. “And I’m fully aware it’s a lot to bring into our relatively new situation.”
“I’m not a situation. I’m your boyfriend. You said so.”
“And that’s what you want? To be my boyfriend?”
“Hell yes. Only if you’ll be my girlfriend.”
“Nothing would make me happier.” She leaned her head on his chest. “Thank you for being so great about all this.”
“I assume you’ll be just as great to me whenever we run into my exes around town.”
Amanda laughed at the outrageous statement. “Because that’s exactly the same thing.”
“I’m glad you see it the same way I do.” He kissed the top of her head. “Let’s go to bed and snuggle.”
“Is that code for have sex?”
“How’d you know?”
“A wild guess. Don’t you have to go back to the firehouse?”
“I’ll get there. Eventually.”
Amanda had talked to her daughter and survived the emotional overload, thanks in large part to Landon and his steady, calming presence. Not only was he fun, funny and a god in bed, but he was also one of the best people she’d ever met.
It would be so easy to fall madly in love with a man like that.
Chapter Nineteen
“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.”
—John Quincy Adams
They spent all day Saturday together until Landon had to leave for work. On Sunday, they went to dinner at the barn, and after a fun and funny time with his family, Landon asked his dad if he could borrow his Range Rover for a short ride.
“Of course,” Linc said. “But is there something wrong with your truck?”
Landon followed Linc to the mudroom to get the keys. “Amanda wants to learn to drive a stick, and yours is the only one in the family.”
“Can she do that with her ankle?”
“Her ankle is much better, so I’ll let her decide if she wants to try it yet. I can at least show her how.”
“Sounds like a plan.” He handed over the keys to Landon. “So things are good between you two?”
“Very good. Amazing, in fact.”
“That’s great to hear. Dani mentioned Amanda might be interested in working at the warehouse, and I heard she’s got appointments with Mildred and Elmer this week for the catalog.”
“That’s right.”
“I’m happy for you, son. She’s a lovely young lady.”
“Yes, she is.” Landon looked around his dad’s shoulder to make sure they were still alone. “When she was in high school, she gave up a daughter for adoption. The child has recently come back into her life.” He explained about what was happening with Stella and Kelly. “Amanda is going to step up for her, and I guess that means I will, too.”
“That’s a big deal. How do you feel about that?”
“If you had asked me a few months ago if I was ready to be a father figure to anyone, I would’ve laughed. But now there’s nothing funny about it, you know?”
“I do know.”
“Right,” Landon said, laughing. “Ten kids.”
“I’ve always said it takes a very special man to become a father to someone else’s child. I thought that with Gray and Simone, and now Lucas and Savvy. It’s a beautiful thing to open your heart to a child because you want to, not because you necessarily have to. Not that I ever felt like I had to with you kids, but I think you get my meaning.”
“I do. And from what I’ve seen and heard so far, Stella is a delightful kid. We’re going to Albany to meet her in person the weekend after the wedding.”
“It’s good that you’re going with Amanda for that.”
“I’d never want her to do that alone. She’s been so emotional since the fire. She says it’s because the brush with death surfaced all the crap from after she gave up Stella. She was just starting to deal with it when she got the letter from the adoption agency.”
“It’s a lot for anyone to cope with, especially when starting a new relationship.”
“Yeah, it is.”
“I wouldn’t be your dad if I didn’t tell you to look out for yourself in the midst of her emotional tsunami.”
“I am.”
Lincoln tipped his head and gave Landon a shrewd look. “You sure about that?”
“I’m trying.”
Linc nodded. “Don’t take your eye off that ball, son. I understand the desire to be there for her, especially with what she’s dealing with. But make sure she’s there for you, too.”
“I hear you.”
“Good, then my work here is finished.”
“Is your work ever actually finished?”
“No. Never.”
Landon laughed at the emphatic way his dad said that. “It’s your own fault for having ten kids.”
“Believe me, I tell myself that every day. All kidding aside, though, I’m here if you need me.”
Landon gave his dad a quick hug. “Thanks. I always know that.”
Amanda came hobbling into the mudroom. “There you are. I wondered where you went.”
“Sorry. I was borrowing my dad’s keys so I can teach you how to drive a stick. You ready for your first lesson?”