The Summer House by Susan Mallery

care. Her parents were both kids on the street. Her mother was into drunks. We think her father was killed in a drive-by shooting. Eva’s been in and out of foster care for years. Hermother kept taking her back, then abandoning her. A few months ago, Eva was made a ward of the state.”
    Mandy recited facts, but Rick could easily see past them. “What are you waiting for?” he asked. “Or have you already started the adoption procedure.”
    Mandy looked surprised. “Is it that obvious?”
    “It is to me.”
    She sighed. “The situation is complicated. If I adopted her, I would be a single mother. Eva deserves a lot of individual attention. How much would I be able to give her, working all the time?”
    “Wouldn’t your schedules be similar?”
    “Most of the time. But not all of it. There are some financial issues, too. My dad has offered to help, but I hate the idea of sponging off him. It’s a big step and I’m trying to figure out if it’s one I’m prepared to take on my own.”
    Earlier he’d asked if there was anyone special in her life. Now Mandy had confirmed she was alone. Rick couldn’t figure out why some guy hadn’t snapped her up years ago. She was pure fantasy material. Even though they’d just made love, knowing that she was less than two feet away, and naked, made him hard.
    But it was more than sex, he told himself. He enjoyed talking to her. Being around her. Why wouldn’t she be chasing off men with a stick?
    “Why have you been avoiding Mr. Right?” he asked.
    “He’s been avoiding me.” Her mouth twisted. “You would be amazed how fast men can run when someone mentions the phrase ‘special-needs child.’”
    “Why?” he asked, knowing the situation would create challenges, but not clear on why they wouldbe a deal breaker. “Are you saying with Eva you wouldn’t want children of your own?”
    “Of course not. I think both would be great, but so far I haven’t had a lot of offers. Most of the men I’ve met are only interested in ‘perfect’ children. Those who don’t qualify need not apply.”
    She sounded bitter, and he couldn’t blame her. While adopting Eva sounded like what she wanted to do, it wouldn’t be easy, whether or not she was alone.
    He tried to reconcile the thoughtful adult sitting in his bed with the volatile young woman he’d married.
    “I’m impressed with all that you’ve done,” he said lightly. “Next you’ll be telling me that you’ve taken up a hobby or two yourself.”
    She flipped her hair over her shoulders. “I’ll have you know that I not only crochet, I hike. I even camp on occasion.”
    “You? Camp? Where do you plug in your electric curlers?”
    She grabbed the free pillow and threw it at him. “I do without for those days.”
    “I’m even more impressed.”
    She raised her eyebrows. “I’ve been horseback riding, too. I’ve taken Eva a few times and she loves it.”
    The longing was back in her eyes. He wanted to tell her to just go for it—that everything would work out fine. But time and experience had taught him that saying the words didn’t make anyone a believer. Nor did they change the situation. Mandy would have to figure out what to do on her own.
    If only he’d known this much about life and people eight years ago, he thought, things might not have ended so badly.
    “I’m sorry,” he said, reaching out his hand and capturing her fingers.
    “For what?”
    “Before. How it ended. My part in that. I know back then I made a big case about not technically doing anything wrong. I’ve learned since then. The problem wasn’t with what I did or didn’t do, it was about disconnecting from the marriage.”
    Mandy squeezed Rick’s fingers, then released them. So they were going to talk about that, she thought, not sure if she wanted to.
    “Maybe we shouldn’t go there,” she whispered, but it was too late.
    The memories returned in vivid detail and blinding color. Of the silence in the hallway of their