A week later, Jennifer's mother was home and growing bored with her confinement. She'd invited neighbors over for a Saturday barbecue. With all the hinting she'd done, Jennifer should have known she'd invite Garrett too.
Jennifer stared out the back window at where he stood, talking with her mother. His sons ran around in the back yard playing with the neighbor's chocolate lab.
That settled it. If her mother was well enough to play matchmaker, she was well enough for Jennifer to go home.
Only the thought of returning to Madison didn't hold the appeal it should have.
She loved her job in Madison, loved her partners.
But leaving Huntsville would hurt now.
The back door opened. Garrett walked in. "Your mother sent me to fetch a glass of iced tea."
Right. Her mother was playing matchmaker. Again.
"I'll take her one." Jennifer took a glass out of the cabinet and filled it with ice.
Garrett leaned against the counter. "I miss you."
Jennifer didn't respond. For the past week she'd kept a smile pasted on her face for her mother's benefit, but alone in her old room, tears swamped her heart. Tears over Garrett, over Carrie, over her lack of parenting skills. If only…
"The boys liked you. They've asked about you and were excited to see you today."
"They barely know me."
"Something I wanted to remedy, but you shut me out."
"I don't do children, Garrett."
"Damn it, Jennifer, I know you love me. I see it in your eyes even now. Do you hate children that much?"
A sob broke free from her lips.
"I don't hate children. You're boys are wonderful, but…" How did one explain that she'd failed as a mother, that she didn't want to risk hurting another child?
"They've not had an easy go since Emma died. I want to fight to keep you in my life, but I have this overwhelming need to protect them too."
"You think they need protection from me?" She reeled from his words. Words that sounded so reminiscent of something Jeff might have said. It's your fault Carrie died. If you'd been a better mother. If you'd been home more often. If you'd not been so focused on medicine.
"No, that would be me."
Jennifer blinked back tears. "You need protection from me?"
"Oh, yes, because my heart is exposed to whatever fate you place upon it." Groaning in frustration, he pulled her to him. "I love you, Jennifer. I know I'm a package deal when you weren't even in the market for a deal at all, but don't shut me and the boys out of your life. Not without giving us a chance."
She gulped. "A chance at what?"
"To see if what we have can last a lifetime."
Emotion welled inside her, threatening to explode.
"Garrett, I can't have children," she blurted out. "You should know that before you say anything further."
Disappointment shone on his face just as she'd known it would. Hadn't Jeff told her she wasn't even a real woman anymore?
"Your career means that much to you?"
"You don't understand," she clarified, deep-seated pain and insecurities bubbling to the surface. "I can't physically have any more children."
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