As she dried her hands on the kitchen towel, Caleb set something in the sink. She turned to see him gazing at her with a look she hadn’t seen in a long time. “I, uh, I probably should go,” she said. “Jackson is home alone and I, uh...”
He moved closer to her. Like a magnet, she moved toward him, and the next instant they were embracing and kissing—right there in his kitchen! When they finally stepped apart, she felt breathless and speechless ... and embarrassed.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I hadn’t planned that.”
“Me either.” She hung up the towel. “I, uh, I really should go.”
“Yeah, it’s getting late.”
“I hate to eat and run.” She moved away, putting the breakfast bar between them. “But I really don’t like leaving Jackson home alone for too long.”
“I understand.” He nodded with a solemn expression. “You’re a good mom.”
She shrugged. “Not as good as I wish.” Thoughts of how she’d misled Jackson pressed in on her.
“No one’s as good as they’d like. It’s just part of the human condition.”
“I suppose that’s true.” She pulled on her sweater.
“Speaking of the human condition”—he followed her to the front door—“I invited Jackson to church tomorrow, and he sounded interested. The youth group is supposed to be pretty good.” While he walked her to her car, he gave her the specifics. Still feeling a little off balance, she thanked him and left. As she drove the short distance home, she daydreamed about Caleb—wondering if he was what could keep her and Jackson in Seaside. Or had she read more into this evening than he’d intended? After all, he’d practically admitted he was a confirmed bachelor. As she parked her car in front of the cottage, she reminded herself that dreams didn’t usually come true. At least not for her. Better to focus on reality—and just make the best of it.
twelve
ILIKE CALEB’S CHURCH,”Jackson said as Wendy drove them home. “The youth group is pretty cool. I want to ask Taylor to come next week.”
“That’d be nice.” Wendy wanted to remind Jackson that next week might be their last Sunday here. She planned to call a Realtor in the next few days, hopefully list the cottage by next weekend ... and go home. But the words got stuck in her throat.
“Speaking of Taylor!” Jackson leaned forward, pointing to a girl walking on the side of the road with a shopping bag. “Can we give her a ride?”
“Sure.” She pulled over.
“Where you going?” Jackson asked as Taylor hopped in.
“Home. I just walked to the store.”
“That’s a long walk,” Wendy said.
“I know. Almost five miles round trip. But Mom was asleep, and we were out of milk and cereal. I would’ve ridden my bike, but it’s got a flat.”
Wendy felt sorry for Taylor but didn’t know what to say. She’d barely met Taylor’s mom, but could see Kara struggled to make ends meet. It wasn’t easy being a single mom in a seasonal tourist town. Wendy understood.
“My uncle’s taking Tessa and me to get a Christmas tree later,” Taylor said. “We’re gonna go out into the woods and cut one down ourselves. I mean a wild one, not like from a tree farm. Uncle Greg is a logger so he knows how to do it.”
“Cool,” Jackson said.
“Uncle Greg said there’s a big storm coming and we gotta get our tree this weekend because there could be a lot of snow by next weekend.”
“Really? A big storm?” Wendy pulled in front of Taylor’s house. “Do you get snow here on the coast?”
“I guess so. Anyway, that’s what Uncle Greg says. We didn’t live here last year.” She reached over the front seat to nudge Jackson. “Wanna come with us, Jackson? You could bring Oliver too. It’d be fun.”
“Can I go, Mom?” he asked.
“Well, I—”
“Please,” he begged.
Wendy reluctantly agreed, and Taylor told Jackson to be at her house before one. “And wear warm clothes and tough shoes,” Taylor told him. “That’s what Uncle Greg told us.”
