“I don’t know why you think that.” She tried not to let her exasperation show. “When we were together, you never seemed happy. You were always moody, critical… nothing I ever did was right. Why would you want that again?”
His smile faded. “I’m in love and it hurts that you can’t recognise my feelings.”
She knew when it was time to stop pushing. The look in his eyes gave him away. There was a flash of something that scared her. “I’m starving. I think I’m going to get the cheeseburger. How about you?”
He stared at her, then looked at the menu. “Buffalo wings.”
“Yum! Where are you staying?”
“I’m at the Quality Inn over by I-20.”
“Oh, that’s great. I’ll drop you back there after dinner.” That way, he wouldn’t see where she lived. It was the only thing she could think to do. She didn’t want him following her in an Uber.
“Okay, thanks. You’re always so thoughtful.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Cecilia Honey was absolutely adorable, and well suited to her name. Rita watched as she rocked on the rocking horse for the first time, beaming with delight.
“Hold on to these reins here,” she suggested, helping the little girl.
The child’s blonde hair was pulled into two uneven pigtails. Her mother, Candy, had left her with Rita for three hours while she went to run errands. Rita was beyond excited to get this chance to spend some quality time with her little granddaughter. And so far, Cici was eager and happy to be there. She hadn’t shown the slightest concern when her mother left, probably because Rita had offered her ice cream. It was shameless bribery, but she wasn’t sorry, not one little bit. Bribery had always been one of her best parenting tools, and she was prepared to use it as often as necessary now that she was a grandmother.
“I want to get off,” Cici said, as she struggled to throw her leg over the back of the rocking horse.
“Please, Mema,” Rita said.
“Please, Mema.”
Rita smiled. Hearing Cici call her that, brought a little tear to her eye. She helped the child off the horse.
“Thank you.” Cici ran out of the room and down the hallway.
Rita followed her. Cici stopped in every room, asking a hundred questions about what the room was for, the furniture, the art, and anything else she could think of. Rita was happy to give her the grand tour. She wanted Cici to feel comfortable and hoped this was the first of many visits to Mema’s lake house.
Just then, Tyler came home. He walked into the house and set his keys on the counter, then hurried to give Cici a hug. She leaped into his arms with a shout.
“Daddy!”
Rita watched with a smile on her face. “How was your morning?”
He shrugged as he set Cici down and went to open the fridge. He stood in front of the open door, staring. It reminded Rita so much of his teenage years, she had to stifle a laugh.
“Hungry?”
“Starved.”
“You can sit with Cici. I was about to make her some lunch. I’ll make you something too.”
“Thanks, Mom.” He shut the fridge door. “I handed out some resumes, but it’s rough out there. Everyone wants a digital resume, and there’s no one hiring. I’ve put out some feelers about construction, but I’m not holding my breath.”
“Sounds like you got a lot done. Don’t worry. It might take some time, but eventually a door will open. You’re just too talented for it not to happen.”
He picked Cici up and threw her in the air. She squealed and laughed, begging him to do it again. He turned to Rita. “Thanks, Mom. You’re always my best cheerleader. But I don’t think other people see me quite the same way.” A muscle in his jaw clenched, but he forced a smile at Cici. “Again?”
She nodded, and he threw her up into the air.
“I can help you with a digital resume, if you like,” Rita offered as she sliced some sourdough bread.
