Read Breathe for Free Online Page B

pressed a hand to her tummy. Crystal clear. It drove home the fact that as much of a refuge Two Willows provided, it was temporary. She would have to use it as a stepping stone to a brand new life for herself. It bought her time, and a reprieve to regroup. She must remember that. In some ways, nothing had changed.
    She sat Matteo up at the table and gave him a slice of bread without the mushrooms on the top. She took another and broke it into little pieces, placing them on the high chair tray. Aurelia grabbed one in her fist and shoved it into her mouth. Crumbs fluttered to the floor, obvious against the dark gray of the ceramic tile. When she turned around, Jace was holding out her glass of wine, his jaw set.
    â€œAre you quite ready?”
    Anna saw the dark glint in his eyes and knew he was displeased. He’d already said he wasn’t a child person. Of course he wouldn’t be used to the day-to-day messes of babies. But he was making an effort. It had taken her some time to get used to it too. She met his gaze and felt her heart catch.
    â€œI know it’s more chaotic than you are used to.”
    â€œIt’s usually just me.”
    If only things could have been different. If only he hadn’t been so stubborn, maybe they could have done things differently. Better. Back then, she’d have gone to the moon for him if he’d asked. But he hadn’t wanted marriage and she had. He hadn’t wanted children and she had. And to wish things differently would be to wish him to be different, and somehow, despite it all, she didn’t want him changed.
    â€œThank you for the wine.” Their fingers brushed again as she took the glass from his hand and a jolt skimmed down her arm into her stomach. No, she didn’t want him changed at all.
    â€œYou’re welcome.”
    He had been her ideal, and in his absence she’d settled for less than she deserved. She’d feel guilty about that for the rest of her life.
    She broke the moment and went to the stove to put a scoop of risotto on a plate for Matteo and another in a bowl for her to feed to Aurelia, minus the spicy sausage. Guilt, yes, but not regret. If she hadn’t married Stefano, she wouldn’t have Matteo and Aurelia. And she’d never regret them. They were her one blessing. Her only remorse was that she’d taken too long to realize what perfect treasures they were. When she looked at them she saw herself and Alex and knew she could never do what their mother had done. They would never feel neglected, unloved or in the way. She would always put them first.
    As she settled the children she caught the look on Jace’s face. His expression was blank, like he wasn’t sure what to do. He clutched a dishtowel in his hand as though awaiting disaster. Anna nearly laughed. She smiled at him. “They don’t bite, Jace.” Then as an afterthought she glanced at Matteo. “Much.”
    â€œIs it always this crazy?”
    She bit back the irritation that simmered. Surely he didn’t expect children to act like china dolls, without flaws. Jace had been a holy terror as a boy. His mother had thrown up her hands more than once and the Morelli housekeeper had once shooed him out of the house with a broom. “This is nothing. But once I know where to find things, it’ll be smoother. I promise.”
    She put a cup of water by Matteo’s plate, cautioning him to be careful. Everything was glass and breakable. She’d have to see about getting some plastic dishes so that he didn’t break any of Jace’s. If she’d learned anything at all, it was that accidents happened.
    The look on Jace’s face grew darker. She knew this was completely out of his element, but he didn’t need to stand there like some disapproving saint. She straightened her shoulders. Living alone for so long had made him too rigid. Maybe he needed to have his life shaken up a bit.
    She pulled a chair closer to