I looked at her in confusion for a moment. Clearly she wasn’t referring to my dad, and I’d fall over in shock if Ivy’s dad ever lowered himself to pick up his grandchild from school.
“Which grandfather,” I asked for confirmation, though I had a good guess. Really, the only one that would make sense.
Ms. Tracy double-checked her clipboard. “Sam Spencer. That’s okay, right? He’s on the approved pickup list.”
I nodded, not wanting her to worry because Sam was welcome to pick up Addie, I just usually knew if he was. “Yeah, I must have just gotten some wires crossed.”
She nodded. “I’m sure it’s hard to keep track of schedules at times. For what it’s worth, I think you all do a fabulous job of co-parenting. Addie is a lucky girl to have so many people around her that care about her.”
Ouch. Shot to the heart. I nodded and waved as I headed back to my car where my phone was. As soon as I got in, I started it up and dialed Sam’s number. No answer. I tried Margot and bingo, she answered in one.
“Afternoon, Noah. Isn’t it a beautiful day?”
“Hey Margot. I’m somehow screwing up all over the place today. Did Sam pick up Addie?” My heart was thundering in my chest, thought logic was telling me that everything was fine.
“Yes, he picked her up to have their goodbye tea party. We’re heading home in a few hours, but we’ll be down again in a few weeks.” Then she paused. “Oh no, didn’t Ivy message you?”
I exhaled for the first time in an hour, though there was plenty to still stress about. “Ah, no, she must have gotten sidetracked. No problem.”
Margot was quiet for a moment, which was always dangerous. “Noah, you don’t sound great. Come on over to Jake and Ivy’s. I’ll make you a snack or Sam can make you a drink.”
“No, I don’t want to intrude on your time with the grandkids.”
“Noah.” Her voice had the don’t-fuck-with-me tone she got at times. “Get your ass over here.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I replied because there was no arguing with Margot Spencer. The woman had raised Jake and Drew. Steph too, but I’d heard stories about the Spencer boys. Margot might be small, but she was mighty, and if she were Catholic, she’d likely qualify for sainthood. I hung up and headed that way.
Just before pulling up in the drive, my phone rang. I looked at it eagerly, hoping it was Jules. Nope, Ivy.
“Hey, Ivy,” I said as I answered.
“Noah, I’m so sorry. I meant to call you and tell you Sam was going to grab Addie and bring her to you for dinner, but I got waylaid by a shipment, a sick employee, and a leak in our bathroom at the store. I’m so sorry! Did you go to the school? I am the worst. I owe you a case of beer from the Homestead. Or Jake and I can have you over for dinner every night next week. Sorry, sorry, sorry. Do you forgive me?” The woman gasped for air because that entire moment of verbal diarrhea sounded like it came out in one breath.
Despite my afternoon, she still made me smile like she had been doing since we were young. “Ivy, you’re fine. I figured it out. Margot ordered me to come over, and I just pulled up to your place.”
She was immediately on alert. “Why did she order you to come over?”
“No idea. Heading in to find out.”
“Noah, are you okay?”
“Totally fine. See you soon.”
“Okay, if you’re sure. Frankly, better you than me, my friend. And for what it’s worth, I really am sorry.”
“Promise we’re good.”
I started to hang up, but then she spoke again. “Hey, Noah?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m so glad you live in Highland Falls. Even when I screw up, it’s pretty great co-parenting with you.”
I looked at the phone. What the fuck, universe? Are we just wanting to kick a man when he’s down today or what?
Shaking my head, I refocused. “Thanks, Ivy. Back at you. Now I need to go see what your mother-in-law wants.”
“All right. Talk soon.” She hung up, and I swung out of the car and headed to the house.
