Cam smiled, but the wear of worry still sat on the edges.“I know you will.That was never a doubt, Mama.”
I opened the gate, and they headed out.I sighed as I shaded my eyes, hoping that the trail ride and time together would help Cam and Jenna work through their lingering sadness.
As I turned back toward the house, I wondered what Steve was up to that morning.There I was, a mature woman, mooning over a man.
“Just silliness,” I said to myself.But my emotions were fresh and sweet, supple and beautiful.Real.I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face at the mere thought of him.
I opened the kitchen door just in time to find my grandson, clad in his thin reindeer pajamas, trying to climb up on the counter from the bottom drawer he’d pulled open, chanting, “Appa pie!”over and over.
I grabbed him at the waist to secure his little body and kissed the soft skin on his chubby cheek.“You were sleeping so sweet, Cash-man.What’s this with sneaking on Grammy’s counters?”
He squealed in sheer delight as he wriggled.I turned him so he was settled on my hip, and his big eyes implored from that sweet face.“Gamma!Appa pie.”
“You know it, my darling.”I smoothed his wild hair down and managed to get him settled in the wooden highchair his daddy used to sit in before I sliced him a piece of pie.Once he dug in, I poured a fresh cup of coffee and settled next to him, bringing my chair to touch his.
Cash turned and smiled at me, all innocence and joy, cheeks bulging with his treat.He didn’t know that I’d let his father and uncle eat apple pie for breakfast—well, anytime, really—when they were growing up.Right now, Cash felt decadent, and I loved making him feel special.
He was special, just as this moment between us was.I savored it.
“Love your pie, Gamma.Love you!”
His words warmed me deeply, and I smiled.“Love you more, sugar.”I gently booped his cute little nose.
Cash giggled as he picked up a piece of crust.“Daddy says to Mama: love you.”He scrunched his shoulders and giggled.“Love sugar.Love pie!”
I wondered if Steve would ever say something like that to me.“Can’t argue with truth.”I took a sip of my coffee while Cash devoured the rest of his slice.“Let’s get you dressed so we can play.”
Cash slid from the wooden chair until his chubby little feet hit the ground.“Kay!Cars.”
“You got it.”
Cash and I built a racetrack and zoomed his cars all over the living room.I glanced up when I heard the crunch of gravel heading toward my drive.Before I could get up, I heard Steve hailing Cam, who replied from close to the front deck.A moment later, Jenna stepped into the house, her cheeks flushed, eyes bright, and ponytail messy.
“Good ride?”
“Justwhat we needed.”She slid to her knees and opened her arms to Cash, who jumped into them, babbling about his speed game.
Jenna smoothed his hair, and I shifted, my gaze darting toward the door.
“Steve asked to speak to Cam.”
Butterflies exploded in my belly.I knew why, of course.But the idea of my happiness resting on my son’s generosity motivated me to rise and move toward the door.
“Don’t worry, Mama.Cam wants you happy, and I’ve let him know that Steve’s the one who’ll do that.”
I tossed Jenna a relieved smile over my shoulder, but I kept walking.Much as I loved my son, there was no way I was going to let him dictate my future.I opened the door and stepped out onto the porch.
The two men, both so tall and strong, were walking toward the barn, Cam holding a saddle against his hip.I hurried after them.
“…permission to court your mother,” Steve said.He opened the barn door.
I snorted at his antiquated language as I approached.Still, his desire to ensure our kids were happy made me love him more.
Cam’s gaze flashed to mine, humor sizzling in his eyes.“I don’t think Mama’s going to agree with you there about needing my permission, but for what it’s worth, I know you’re a good man.So do Carter and Kate, and Kate’s been talking my ear off about how good you’ll be for Mama, how happy you’ll make her.In some ways, Kate would be the hardest nut to crack.You’ve won her over along with Mama, so you have my blessing.”
“I appreciate that,” Steve said, bowing his head as if he needed a moment to rein in his emotions.Sunshine bounced off the golden strands, and I thought, again, that Steve was like Adonis.One who didn’t know how to accept good—love—into his life.At least not with ease.
I decide then and there that was my mission.Steve deserved love, and I’d be the one lavishing.Maybe, if I were lucky, ravishing him, too.
