Six
THE MOMENTshe sat down, Ben shot Gideon a frown and Maya figured her insistence that she wasn’t there for romance went in one ear and out the other. He was jealous of Gideon and wasn’t even being subtle about it.
The truth was, if she hadn’t run into Gideon and resurrected old feelings, then maybe she would have been interested in getting to know the single dad a little better. But Gideonwashere and his presence was the only one she wanted. Which made her frown, because she hadn’t been lying when she said romance wasn’t a good idea with her issues—or her plans for the future. What if Gideon was interested in her but not in how she wanted to spend the rest of her life? Or if not her life, at least the next several years. Getting involved with him would be setting herself up for a world of hurt. Assuming he was even interested. Which she thought he might be.
Maya set her bag in the chair next to her and paused. It was a table for six. A kernel of an idea wormed its way into her mind. Lila had stationed herself discreetly near an exit, and Maya waved at her to join them. The officer walked over. “Yes?”
“Would you like to sit with us? Ben, would that be all right?”
He smiled. “Of course. The more the merrier.”
His smile reached his eyes and Maya relaxed a fraction. He met her gaze and gave a slight good-humored shrug. Lila sat and immediately started talking to the boys, who wanted to know allabout being a police officer and if she’d ever put her handcuffs on a bad guy.
She had and they were thrilled.
“So, what brings you to Silver Pines?” Ben asked Maya.
“I used to vacation here as a teen and decided it would be a great spot to do some thinking.”
“About?”
“Life.” She smiled. “What about you?”
He shrugged. “Like you, we’ve had good times coming here. It’s been a year since I lost my wife to brain cancer and didn’t want to spend that anniversary at home. Mom suggested we come here, make some new memories as a new kind of family.” He sipped his cocoa. “It was a good idea. We’ve had a good time in spite of the avalanche excitement.”
Lila helped Owen, the oldest boy, put a straw in his cup. She looked up at Ben. “I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine how hard that was.”
“One of the hardest things I’ve ever been through.” He cleared his throat. “But we’re making it.”
A small silence fell until little Mitch walked around to Lila’s chair and smiled up at her. “I like you.”
Lila laughed and brushed his bangs from his eyes. “I like you too, honey.”
From there, the atmosphere lightened and talk turned to Ben’s career.
“A genetic genealogist?” Gideon asked. “Now, that sounds like an interesting job.”
Lila leaned forward. “What exactly does that entail?”
“You really want to know?” Ben asked with a one-sided grin.
“Yes.”
He laughed a little self-consciously, but before he could launch into his explanation, Maya placed her hand on his. “I’m sorry, Ben, but Gideon and I have some work we need to do before we have dinner with some friends. Then I need to stop by the clinicto check on a few patients. I hope you won’t be offended if we go get started on that?”
He hesitated and frowned, but said, “No, of course not.”
“Thank you.” Maya looked at Lila. “Feel free to stay here, we’ll be within sight.”
Lila shot her a grateful look. “Thanks, because I really am interested in hearing what Ben has to say.”
Ben looked like he wasn’t sure whether to be perturbed or amused. Maya prayed he’d go with amused.
She grabbed her bag, said her goodbyes to everyone, and headed for a larger table in the back corner. She needed the space to spread out.
Gideon followed.
Maya took a seat, then glanced at Lila, Ben, and his boys. They seemed to be happy enough, and she hoped they wouldn’t think her rude, but she really did need to figure some stuff out and she was running out of time to do it.
