A Child's Heart (Trent & Cassie's Story) A River City Novel by E. Ayers Page B

don’t want to look at
it.” She grinned and stared deep into Trent’s eyes. “I thought he
looked like you, but I can see he looks more like his mom.”
    “He has her eyes and her smile. I see her in him all
the time. He’s that little piece that lives on.”
    “Yes. He is.” She ran her hand down his arm. “The
rest of this is…I don’t want to seem insensitive, but it’s
junk.”
    He nodded. “I’m not ready to dispose of it. I just
got it back.”
    “I understand. Give me a second. I think I have a
better box for these things.”
    She found a small pretty box in her closet. Reaching
into the box she removed the contents and set them on her bureau. A
thought flashed through her mind, and she fished through a drawer
before returning to the kitchen.
    “Here. And this is better for holding her jewelry. I
never use it.” She put the various items into the tiny padded
velvet sachet, meant to hold jewelry while traveling. Then she
handed it to him, as she packed the other things into the pretty
container.
    “Thanks.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    He put the jewelry into the box and placed the lid on
it. “This does seem more appropriate for her things.”
    “I can’t tell you what to feel, but maybe I can give
you some insight. If I had been married to you and died, I’d be
delighted if you found someone such as Colleen to love. I wouldn’t
want you spending the rest of your life alone. What you had with
Colleen was special, and you’ll always hold that love you had for
each other in your heart. But what if you had two sons? Would you
love one more than the other?”
    “Of course not.”
    She ran her fingers through the hair on his forearm.
“Because we always have the capacity to love another?”
    “Maybe.”
    “What do you feel towards me?”
    Trent shrugged. “I don’t know.”
    “I appreciate your honesty. I’m rather uncertain of
my feelings towards you at this moment in time.” She poured what
was left of her now cold cup of coffee down the drain and refilled
it. “I know what I feel when you touch me, and it’s not
ho-hum.”
    “Whatever I’m doing to you, I like it.”
    “So do I.” She grinned. “You’re special and so is
Shawn.”
    “I’m not ready to jump into a heavy
relationship.”
    “I agree. Shawn’s surgery and opening old wounds with
Colleen’s things, makes it a difficult time for you. I’m in a new
job with lots of problems. These things are not conducive to
building a relationship.” She sipped her coffee and stared into his
gray-blue eyes, obviously filled with pain. “One step at a time. I
know what I feel when we’re together.”
    He took her hand and attempted to smile. “I do have
feelings for you, but they don’t make any sense to me.”
    “Why?”
    “You’re a doctor.”
    “I have my PhD. That means I have huge college loans
that I’ll be paying on for the next ten years. By the time I deduct
my loan payments, you probably bring home more money than I
do.”
    “I doubt that.”
    “If you are really curious, it’s a city job, and my
salary is public. Go check the city’s website. The sanitation
manager makes more than I do.”
    He looked at her askance, and she nodded.
    “It sucks. I’ve got a PhD in ancient history. That,
and a couple of bucks will buy you a good cup of coffee.” She took
a sip from her cup and smiled at him. “At least, you have a trade
and a skill.”
    His thumb lightly stroked the back of her hand and
she curled her fingers tighter around his.
    “It’s not just the income,” he said in almost a
whisper.
    “Then what is it?”
    “I’m just a guy who finished high school. Who has a
job working for a local company. I’m living with my mother, and
praying my son will live long enough to reach maturity.”
    “There’s nothing wrong with living at home. It’s
obvious that your mom loves you and Shawn. I think the whole city
is pulling for him.”
    “I’m not giving up hope, but it’s a tiny thread. I’m
realistic