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so sorry I doubted you. My wife and I tried for years. When we finally decided to be tested our doctor told me it was highly unlikely I would ever be a father.”
    “Did he say why?” Willow asked, sitting in the rocking chair, watching him—admiring him, really.
    “He said I didn’t have enough boys in the tank .” Austin shrugged. “We talked about other methods, but not too long after that appointment she got sick and our focus changed.” His eyes met mine. “I—” his eyes watered. He closed them and shook his head slightly. “I won’t lose you, Willow. Understand that?” He opened his eyes and they pierced into Willow, held her in place.
    Her breath hitched and she leaned forward, clasping her hands together. How could she make him understand what he was saying? It was obvious he cared and that felt good, damn wonderful in fact, but… “Austin, we haven’t seen each other in fifteen months, and while it’s obvious you’ve taken to your daughter and she you…” Willow paused unable to go on.
    From the moment she received his email every feeling she ever had for him returned in full. It was possible he’d kept his feelings for her.
    “Willow? Will?”
    She shook away my thoughts. “Yes, Austin.”
    “She’s ready to be burped.”
    “Oh, right.” She went and sat next to him, then took Emma. “Hey baby girl.” She sat Willow on her lap, one hand on her baby’s back, the other near her head in front. The burp cloth was in the hand near Emma’s face. “Babies used to be burped by patting them on the back while you draped them over your shoulder, but my pediatrician showed me this way. See, if you just lean her over a little and rub her back—” Emma interrupted with a burp. “See? It works really well. Wanna try?”
    “Sure.” Austin took her and copied the way Willow had been holding Emma. When the burp cloth was in his hand she helped him put it in the right spot. “Like this?”
    “Yep, you got it. Now just gently rub her back.”
    Austin did and Emma burped twice more.
    “Easy, right?”
    “Not too bad,” Austin said.
    Willow snickered. “Good, ‘cause when you’re done feeding her you get to change her diaper.”
    He grimaced and then winked.
    “I’m going to make something to eat. Any requests?”
    “Whatever you’re having,” he said , his focus back on the baby.
    Willow made two bologna and cheese sandwiches with a little mayo, a side of chips, and a bunch of red grapes. She set the plates on the table and went back into the living room. Austin was burping Emma again. Willow leaned against the wall and watched. When he glanced up she smiled. It would be easy to get used to a life with Austin in it. But the fact remained he was oil royalty. He had responsibilities, meetings to attend, money to make, an image to keep up, and probably a lot of women with no kids and no cancer vying for his attention. This wouldn’t last long. He’d realize all of that soon enough and then he’d leave again.
    Even if he said he didn’t want to, he’d have to. It wasn’t like he could give his life up for Willow.
    “Lunch is ready,” she said, trying to fight down her sadness.
    “Good, I’m starved,” he said, standing and handing her Emma’s empty bottle.
    “Give her to me. I’ll change her and you can eat.”
    Austin shook his head. “I’ll change her. You just show me what to do.”
    “Okay,” she said, following him into Emma’s bedroom.
    He laid Emma on the changing table and scooted over. “Show me.”
    Willow went through the steps, talking as she did things until Emma’s diaper had been changed. “Think you can handle it?” she asked when she was finished.
    “Of course ,” he said waving his hand at her nonchalantly. “Although you might have to show me a couple more times.”
    She laughed. “Fine,” she said with mock sarcasm.  “Let’s wash our hands and then we can eat.”
    They took turns washing their hands in the bathroom and then walked into the