My gaze goes to the Evans house a few doors down. It’s quiet, and there’s no movement behind the lace curtains.
Rowena Evans is a judgmental old biddy who may be suffering from the first throes of dementia. But sticking stones in my lawnmower is one thing. I just can’t see her spray-painting offensive words on my sign.
I think of calling Hudson, but he’ll only freak out and go into ultra big brother protective mode. I think of Ryan, but he’s got enough to deal with at the moment without having to worry about me. Avery has her own family problems too.
“Momma?”
There’s a tug on my overalls, and I turn to find Noah peering up at me.
Whoever did this, it’s something I’ll have to figure out on my own. I scoop Noah onto my hip and head inside.
Twenty minutes later, I hurry him through the paths to the Zen garden, which is where we arranged to meet Ryan.
There was only time to change Noah before we got back in the car to head to the center. I’m in my dirty overalls, and my face is no doubt red and sweaty from rushing around.
I smooth down my hair and wish there had been time to put on some lip gloss—not that Ryan’s here to see me.
We reach the Zen garden, and he’s waiting for us. My heart jolts in my chest. He’s got a t-shirt on that shows off his arms, which look as hard and muscular as I remember. I spot the tattoo snaking down his bicep, and I wonder if he has any new tattoos or what else has changed about his body, apart from the obvious.
Noah wiggles in my arms, and I set him down on the path. I smooth my hair off my face and wipe the perspiration from my forehead. I wish I had a mirror, but it’s too late to do anything about it now. Besides, this is about Noah, not me.
Ryan hasn’t given any indication he wants anything from me other than to meet his son. But what do I want from him? My stomach flutters whenever he’s around. His smile disarms me, and the flashbacks I’m having to the weekend we spent together make me heat all over.
Three years ago, I would’ve given anything to find him again. Even before I knew about Noah, I regretted walking away. But we’re different people now. It’s stupid to think we could get that connection back—if he even wants it.
“Sorry I’m late. I, um…” The sign and the angry red lettering across it flashes into my head.
Whore
“I got held up at a job,” I finally say.
Ryan tilts his head like he doesn’t believe me, and I bend down to straighten Noah’s collar so he can’t see my face.
“It’s fine.” Ryan wheels his chair forward to meet us and stops in front of Noah. “It must be hard working with this one.”
“This is Ryan,” I introduce him to Noah. “We’re going to hang here with him for a while.”
Noah stares up at Ryan with big round eyes, and I hold my breath as the two of them look at each other.
“Why your chair have wheels?” Noah asks in his baby voice.
“Noah.” I step forward, but Ryan shakes his head.
“It’s okay.” He addresses Noah himself. “You like my wheels?”
Noah reaches out to touch one of them.
“I’ve lost part of my leg, and the wheels help me get around.”
Noah stares at Ryan, and I hold my breath, hoping he won’t say anything upsetting. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a toy car. “I got wheels.”
He holds the car up to Ryan, who admires the toy. “Those look like good wheels.”
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. I don’t know what I expected, but Ryan is good with him, patient and kind.
“Hey, I brought you something.” Ryan holds up a bunch of leaves that he had in his lap. They’re different colors, showing the shades of fall.
Noah’s smile widens, and he makes a grab for the leaves.
