Clare squeezed his fingers. “Tell me.”
“I want a home.” His voice thickened.
“Not just a place where I keep my stuff.” “A real home. Somewhere all of us can be together.”
He looked toward the dark window. “Maybe a small house in that neighborhood near the park. The one with all the trees.”
His expression brightened as the picture formed. “Max could have a sandbox.”
“Maggie could have a little garden.” Clare smiled.
“She would love that. She’s already trying to grow flowers in paper cups on the windowsill.” “I noticed.”
Ryder became serious again. “Clare, I need you to know something.”
She waited. “Those kids mean everything to me now. I know I’m not their father.”
Clare interrupted softly. “You’re more of a father to them than their real dad ever was.”
Ryder lowered his eyes for a moment. Then he nodded.
“I want to be there for the little things. Homework. Bikes. Bad dreams.”
“School plays. The days they’re angry. The days they’re scared.”
“I want to be the kind of father figure they deserve.” Tears filled Clare’s eyes.
She had never expected anyone to choose her children with such certainty. “They already adore you,” she whispered.
“And I adore them.” Ryder’s thumb moved slowly across her palm.
“But we need to do this right.” “We need them to feel secure.”
“They need to know this is permanent.” Clare studied him.
“What are you suggesting?” “Let’s take a drive this weekend. Look at some houses.”
“We’ll bring the kids. Let them see what they think.” He leaned forward.
“I’ve saved some money. It’s not a fortune, but it’s enough for a down payment on something modest.” Clare’s breath caught.
“You’ve really thought this through.” “I have.”
Later, they stood together at the apartment window. The park where their story had begun was visible in the distance, its trees dark against the evening sky.
Ryder looked toward it. “Want to take a walk?”
Clare smiled. “Mrs. Johnson still has the baby monitor.”
Minutes later, they were walking the same familiar paths. They stopped at the bench where Maggie had first approached Ryder.
Ryder sat beside Clare and looked across the quiet grass. “I need you to know something,” he said.