"I don't care if you can't have children, Jennifer. I love you," Garrett assured.
Jennifer's words sunk in. Any more. Bridget had never mentioned grandchildren.
"You have children?"
Her eyes closed. "I had a daughter."
Again, her word choice struck him. "Had?"
"She died. When she was two."
"Oh, honey." Garrett wrapped his arms around her, hugging her close to him. "I'm sorry."
"It's my fault she died."
"How did she die?"
"She drowned," she whispered, shriveling against him as if she wanted to curl up into a tight ball.
Garrett couldn't imagine what she was going through, couldn't imagine the pain of losing a child, much less if her death had somehow been Jennifer's fault.
Garrett held her, letting her cry.
Ethan burst into the kitchen, coming to a halt. "Daddy, what's wrong with Jennifer?"
Jennifer swiped at her eyes, smiling weakly at his son when she'd semi-composed herself. "I'm fine. What's up?"
"Ian wants to know if we can jump on Benji's trampoline."
"Who's Benji?"
"My mother's neighbor," Jennifer answered. "The redheaded kid they've been playing with. He lives next door."
Garrett considered his son's pleading face. "Ian wants to know, huh?"
Ethan grinned. "Me too, Daddy. We'll be super careful and only jump in the middle."
"Fine." Garrett grabbed Jennifer's hand. "Come on. We'll take the tea to your mom and watch the boys."
They sat on Benji's back porch steps, silently watching the three boys jump and giggle.
Garrett's cellular phone buzzed. Sighing, he flipped it open. "Hello. Uh-huh. I'll be there as quick as I can."
He turned to Jennifer.
She smiled softly, not needing an explanation. "I understand."
"Can I come back later tonight?"
"I—" she hesitated. "If you want to."
He wanted to kiss her, but her mother and guests could see them. Instead, he told her with his eyes everything that was in his heart, hoping she'd understand.
"I want to," he assured her, then called to the boys: "Come on, guys. We've got to go. Quick."
The boys moaned, begging to stay.
"I've got to get to the hospital. STAT. Get your shoes on."
Grumbling, the boys climbed off the trampoline.
Ian glanced toward Jennifer. "She can watch us."
"Jennifer doesn't want to watch two mischievous little boys. Get your shoes on."
"It's okay, Daddy. Mommy watches Jennifer's girl in heaven and Jennifer watches us." Ian lifted trusting eyes to Jennifer. "Isn't that right?"
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