The Rescue - Nicholas Sparks [134]
It’s good to hear that sound again. . . .
But . . .
Denise shook her head. Even if Kyle has forgiven him, I won’t forget. He hurt us once, he could hurt us again. She wouldn’t allow herself to fall for him so deeply this time. She wouldn’t let herself go.
But they look so cute together....
Don’t let yourself go, she warned herself.
She sighed, refusing to allow the internal conversation to dominate her thoughts. With the stew cooking over low heat, she set the table, then straightened up the living room before running out of things to do.
Deciding to sit outside, she walked out into the crisp, fresh air and sat on the porch steps. She could see Taylor and Kyle, still immersed in their playing.
Despite her thick turtleneck sweater, the nip in the air made her cross her arms. Overhead, a flock of geese in triangular formation flew overhead, heading south for the winter. They were followed by a second group that seemed to be struggling to catch up. As she watched them, she realized her breaths were coming out in little puffs. The temperature had dropped since the morning; a cold front blowing in from the midwest had descended through the low country of North Carolina.
After a while, Taylor glanced toward the house and saw her, letting her know with a smile. With a quick flick of her hand, she waved before burying her hand back in the warmth of her sleeves. Taylor leaned close to Kyle and motioned with his chin, prompting Kyle to turn in her direction. Kyle waved happily, and both of them stood. Taylor brushed off his jeans as they started toward the house.
“You two look like you were having fun,” she said.
Taylor grinned, stopping a few feet from her. “I think I’ll give up contracting and just build dirt cities. It’s a lot more fun, and the people are easier to deal with.”
She leaned toward Kyle. “Did you have fun, sweetie?”
“Yes,” he said, nodding enthusiastically. “It was fun.” (Ess fun)
Denise looked up at Taylor again. “The stew won’t be ready for a while. I just got it all going, so you’ve got plenty of time if you want to stay outside.”
“I figured as much, but I need a glass of water to wash down some of the dirt.”
Denise smiled. “Do you want something to drink, too, Kyle?”
Instead of answering, however, Kyle moved closer, his arms outstretched. Almost molding into her, he wrapped his arms around Denise’s neck.
“What’s wrong, honey?” Denise asked, suddenly concerned. With his eyes closed, Kyle squeezed more tightly, and she instinctively put her arms around him.
“Thank you, Mommy. Thank you. . . .” (Kenk you, Money. Kenk you)
For what?
“Honey, what’s wrong?” she asked again.
“Kenk you,” Kyle said again, not listening. “Kenk you, Money.”
He repeated it a third and fourth time, his eyes closed. Taylor’s grin left his face.
“Honey . . . ,” Denise tried again, a little more desperately this time, suddenly feeling a flash of fear at what was happening.
Kyle, lost in his own world, continued to hold her tight. Denise shot a “See what you’ve done now” look at Taylor when all of a sudden Kyle spoke again, the same grateful tone in his voice.
“I wuff you, Money.”
It took a moment to understand what he was trying to say, and she felt the hairs on her neck stand up.
I love you, Mommy.
Denise closed her eyes in shock. As if knowing she still didn’t believe it, Kyle tightened his grip around her, squeezing with ferocious intensity, and said it a second time.
“I wuff you, Money.”
Oh, my God . . .
Unexpected tears suddenly began to spill from her eyes.
For five years she’d waited to hear the words. For five long years she’d been deprived of something other parents take for granted, a simple declaration of love.
“I love you, too, sweetie . . . I love you so much.”
Lost in the moment, she hugged Kyle as tightly as he was holding her.
I’ll never forget this, she thought, memorizing the feel of Kyle’s body, his little-boy smell, his halting miraculous words. Never.
Watching them together, Taylor stood off to the side, as mesmerized by the moment as she was. Kyle, too, seemed to know he’d done