He turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. When the cold air hit him, he reached for the robe that hung on the back of the door and wrapped it around himself.

He’d wait until her parents left. Then he’d go to her and offer his support. No matter what came next, they shared a family. They were a family, even if they weren’t married.

Kathy poured herself a cup of coffee and watched as Carlos dragged himself into the kitchen and sat down at the table. She let out a slow and steady breath. Did he think she didn’t notice that he’d crawled out of bed, taken a shower in the middle of the night, and spent the rest of the night on the couch? She set her mug on the table and sat down next to him. “I left some pamphlets on your desk. Did you find them?”

“Pamphlets? No.” He picked up the newspaper she’d laid there to read and began to thumb through it.

“They were wedding packages. There are some nice places that we can do the ceremony and the reception. I was also thinking, that maybe, Regan and Zach would let us have the wedding out at their place. With all the beautiful land, we could even have a tent put up out back by her rose gardens.”

“Sure,” he said looking up at her finally. “I’m going to go buy Eduardo a phone.”

“Okay.” Her voice dipped. Had he not heard her at all?

“They’ll be going to Madeline’s tomorrow night, and I thought that this way he could call me and keep up with me.”

“He can’t just call from her phone at the house?”

“Oh, you know. If she needs me. If he needs me.” He looked back down at the ad in the newspaper for a wireless phone store.

Kathy set her jaw. She had to remind herself that Carlos was the kind of man who would take care of the mother of his children. He was also the kind of man who would do that with all of his heart. The only problem was, as the woman he’d supposedly given his heart to, she was becoming to find it hard to accept his generosity.

She sipped at her coffee as she watched him. There was a high road, and she was going to take it. He’d asked her to marry him and he wouldn’t have done that if he hadn’t wanted to. Planning for the wedding would continue. She’d involve him only as much as he wanted to be involved, but she wanted a nice wedding. Madeline would be welcomed of course, but she certainly hoped in the few months that it would take them to plan the event, Madeline’s illness would take a backseat.

She stood and walked to the sink to rinse out her mug. The coffee was bitter on her tongue and her attitude was bitter in her heart. She wasn’t used to being jealous and she didn’t like it one bit. “I’m heading into the office. When can I expect you?”

“I’ll be home right after school to get the kids. Then I’ll take them over to Maddie’s.”

Kathy winced at the pet name.

“We can go out for dinner,” he offered, finally looking up at her.

“Fine.” She left without kissing him good-bye.

The phone he’d picked out was basic, but it would be useful. He handed it to Eduardo, whose eyes grew wide. “The phone isn’t for socializing or texting. It’s just for you and me to keep in contact. Understand?”

“Got it.”

“Before your first class every day, I want you to call me and tell me how she is.”

Eduardo looked over the phone he’d handed him. “Dad, why don’t you just call her yourself?”

“She doesn’t want me looking after her.”

“That’s ridiculous.” Eduardo looked up at him. “You’ve always taken care of her. Even when Matt was here.”

“I know, but she was specific.” He placed a hand on Eduardo’s shoulder. “She’s willing to let you be here and take care of her. I think that’s going to help her out.”

“I hope so.” His son looked up at him and gave him a crooked smile.

“Me too.”

He’d dropped the kids off and stood in the street in front of the house he and Madeline used to share. She hadn’t come to the door as she usually would, and that was weighing on his mind.

Kathy had four more pamphlets for wedding locations, and before Carlos knew it, Regan, Zach, and Tyler had joined them for dinner upon invitation from Kathy.

His head was spinning with wedding talk and plans. Regan was as bad as Kathy. He sat quietly, too deep in his own thoughts to care about the conversation around him.

Zach held little Tyler against his shoulder and patted his back. “Damn, Monday-night football. How did I let you convince me to leave the house?” Zach kissed his son and handed him to his wife. “Carlos, let’s leave these lovely ladies to discuss bridal bouquets and run into the bar and check out the game.”

Carlos’s head snapped up at the offer. Regan patted Tyler on the back and nodded. Kathy kept making notes in her bridal planner. He wasn’t sure she was aware he was leaving the table.

Zach slapped him on the shoulder as they turned the corner into the bar. “You were looking lost, my friend. I think you could use a beer and a few moments of man time.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

Zach ordered them each a beer and then turned to the big-screen TV. The crowd in the upscale bar hooted and hollered as the Titans scored another touchdown.

“That’s what I’m talking about!” Zach hollered too. “You didn’t even see that.”

“What? Sorry.”

“What’s got your head so full?” Zach took a pull from his beer.

“I’m waiting to hear from Ed. I figured he’d call and tell me how Maddie was doing.”

“You do know you’re not married to her anymore, right?”

“I know. I’m worried about her. Matt left her. Her folks went back to California. I just don’t think she should be alone right now.”

“She’s not. She has her children.” Zach nudged him. “What are you doing marrying Kathy?” His voice was hushed, and Carlos looked up at him.

“I love her.”

Zach shook his head. “I don’t doubt that. But you love Madeline too.”

“I’ve always loved Maddie. I’ve loved her since I was fifteen.”

“Do you hear yourself?” Zach saw a table open up and he grabbed their bottles and guided Carlos toward it. “Matt’s gone. Madeline is sick, and you can’t keep her off your mind for ten minutes to help your new fiancée plan your wedding. Don’t you see what’s going on here?”