Bethany hopped up and down. “And she got towels with macaws on them and candy!”
“Nice.” They towed me into the house, telling me about the pancakes they’d made with Wren this morning.
Wren and Kirstin were in the kitchen. Wren gave me a knowing and concerned smile. Kirstin had her arms crossed, but her expression wasn’t hostile.
I leaned against the counter while the girls fluttered around the kitchen, showing me the souvenirs their mother had gotten them and relaying the stories she’d told them already this morning.
“You know how big those birds are, Dad?” Bethanyheld her hands farther apart than I thought any macaw would be. “She showed us pictures. And we performed for her. Grandma sang instead of Junie.”
“It was a very good performance,” Kirstin said. She crossed one leg over the other. Her heel was bobbing.
Shit.
Wren nodded and the girls beamed. An awkward silence fell between all of us.
“Girls,” Wren said gently, adding a dash of enthusiasm. She gracefully rose from her chair. “Can you come outside with me? I still have some fencing to put up around my garden to keep those bunnies out.”
Once they were outside, Kirstin’s smile dipped. “Lessons?”
“They wanted to surprise you.”
“What happened to your ban on music?”
“I never banned it.” And she knew it.
“You never encouraged it.”
“Because I was afraid you’d think I was holding on to June by encouraging them to learn an instrument.” My temples throbbed. I knew exactly why I’d made the decisions I had, but I was tired of feeling like the bad guy because of them. “They wanted to surprise you, and I didn’t want the headache. I’m sorry.”
“Headache.” She tsked. “We’re not married anymore. You’re worried I’d be jealous.”
“You used to be.”
“Yes. Any wife would’ve been.”
The truth of what she said sat heavy on my shoulders. “I know you put up with a lot. I never meant to make you feel like I didn’t love you?—”
“I know you did, in your way.”
What’d that mean? “I just need to know if you’re going to have an issue with me and June now.”
She studied me for a moment, then ruffled her short hair off her face. “I know the girls are your priority. Behind them is your ranch.” She didn’t make it sound like a good thing. “And I know June can’t derail that. Just like I couldn’t.”
“Kirstin.” Were we going to rehash arguments from our divorce?
She held up her hands. “I’m just saying. June isn’t my business unless the girls think she’s going to be a part of their lives forever and have their hearts broken when she leaves.”
Wouldn’t she have to be in the country to know if June’s absence affected the girls? I pushed that question out of my head. I was being unfair.
“Otherwise, I’m an adult, Rhys. I can handle any old feelings she brings up.”
I was an adult, and most days, I couldn’t face the emotions related to June. “Appreciate it.”
“I’m dating too, you know.”
Surprise rocked me back on my heels. “Oh.” Was I upset? Happy for her? Relieved that we were both navigating these nonrelationship waters? “How’s it going?”
“Awkward.” She huffed out a laugh. “Fleeting. I travel too much. The last one didn’t like that I’m going to Brazil in a month.”
