Free Minor Adjustments by Rachael Renee Anderson

fact of your own.”
    “Like how all blue-eyed blondes are eccentric?”
    “You obviously don’t have extra zinc and copper in your hair.”
    “I’m tired,” said Ryan. “Can we go home now?”
    Devon lifted the boy into his arms, and Ryan’s head dropped to his shoulder. Little hands wound around Devon’s neck as Ryan snuggled against him. Trusting him.
    Devon tightened his hold. There was something about Ryan . . . something different, something unique. It was like an added responsibility, but one Devon didn’t mind so much.
    A large boulder rested a few steps away, and Devon sank down in front of it, leaning back. Ryan relaxed against him as his breathing deepened.
    Stella collapsed beside him. “Feel like carrying me back as well?”
    “Sure, why not?” Devon said. “Hey, I want to apologize about earlier. One minute Ryan was there and the next he was gone. It sort of freaked me out.”
    “So I noticed.”
    “Funny.”
    Stella smiled. “It was partly my fault. I should’ve made sure you’d seen him follow me.”
    “I should’ve been watching him better.”
    “You mean instead of watching me?” Her eyes laughed at him.
    “Are you flirting with me?”
    Her smile vanished and she looked away. “Why would I flirt with you? It would be pointless.” She cringed. “Uh, what I meant to say was—”
    “I’m leaving in a week and you’ll never see me again.”
    Blue eyes reconnected with his. “I’d better see you again.”
    What? Wow. She really was flirting with him.
    “Now don’t go selling tickets on yourself. I only meant that if I don’t see you, I won’t see Ryan, and that’s not okay with me.”
    Whoa. Slow down a second. Did she just imply . . . ?
    “What are you talking about?”
    Red-cheeked, Stella stammered, “I mean—if you plan to take Ryan home with you, that is.”
    The girl had some nerve. Devon couldn’t take Ryan. Sure, he cared about the boy, but there was no way Devon could raise him. Maybe if he had a wife or fiancée or lived closer to his family—but he didn’t.
    “Stella, when are you going to realize that I’m not in a position to take Ryan? I can’t. I have no idea how you convinced me to stay for two weeks or why I’m even here, but you did—which is the only reason I haven’t left. If you keep pressuring me about Ryan, though, I’ll be on the next plane out of here. Understand?”
    Stella nodded and then turned away, but not before Devon saw the pain on her face. Was she going to cry? If so, tears wouldn’t work on him. Devon refused to be coerced into taking Ryan home permanently.
    Almost unconsciously his arms tightened around Ryan, and Devon found himself wishing things were different. If the truth be known, he wanted Ryan to come with him. He’d love nothing more than to offer the child a home filled with love and security. But he couldn’t.
    And now Devon would have to leave knowing there was nothing he could do.
    Sometimes he wished he’d never met Stella Walker.
    But then traitorous and betraying images slapped him in the face. Stella, with her gorgeous blue eyes and cheeky grin. Stella, comparing him to a platypus or snuggled on the couch with Ryan. Stella, splashing Ryan in the ocean and spouting random facts. Stella, Stella, Stella. For a girl he’d known less than a week, Devon sure had a lot of memories of her.
    In her own frustrating, beseeching way, Stella had touched him. Which would make saying good-bye to her and Ryan that much more difficult.
    Devon took a breath and slowly let it out. “I’m sorry.”
    There were no tears, only a sad resignation. “I’m sorry too.”
    “I’m not sure why you want me to take Ryan, anyway. It’s only been a week, and I’ve already lost count how many times I’ve messed up.”
    “Don’t kid yourself. You’re wonderful with him.”
    “Really? Because I remember you once said that I’d never make a good father.”
    “I’ve been known to say things I don’t mean when I’m