Vaguely.
Marcus continued.
“I helped her make calls. I drove her to appointments when her car was in the shop. I fixed that stupid crib after she nearly threw it through a window.”
Rachel almost laughed despite herself.
Daniel did not.
Marcus looked at him.
“I was your friend before you left.”
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“Exactly.”
“And I was still your friend while you were gone.”
Daniel stared at him.
Marcus’s voice hardened.
“You asked me to look out for Rachel.”
“That didn’t mean become part of my family.”
“I didn’t.”
Marcus pointed toward Caleb.
“I helped that kid because he needed help.”
Daniel said nothing.
Marcus continued.
“And because your wife was trying to handle everything alone while pretending to you that she wasn’t falling apart.”
Rachel lowered her eyes.
Daniel looked at her.
“What does that mean?”
She sighed.
“It means I didn’t want every call with you to be about problems.”
Daniel stared.
“So you lied.”
“I withheld things.”
“That’s lying with better grammar.”
Rachel winced.
“Fine. I lied.”
Caleb began to whimper.
Rachel immediately rocked him gently.
“It’s okay, baby.”
Daniel watched.
Whatever anger he felt toward Rachel, it was impossible not to notice how Caleb relaxed against her.
That child trusted her completely.
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
“Why did you call me Daddy?”
Rachel looked at him.
“Because that’s what I want you to become.”
Daniel laughed in disbelief.
“You thought this was how you should introduce that idea?”
“No.”
She almost smiled sadly.
“In my head, this went differently.”
“How?”
“You walked in. You saw him. I explained everything. Then maybe after several hours, maybe several days, you met him.”
“And instead?”
“I panicked.”
“So you told him to call me Daddy.”
“Yes.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
“That might be the worst plan you’ve ever had.”
“I know.”
Marcus cleared his throat.
“I’m going home.”
Daniel looked at him.
Marcus picked up the small box he had brought.