“Well, that’s good, I guess.” I looked down the road and motioned. “I’m heading into town to get breakfast. I need the exercise, so I thought I’d walk.”
Weston tilted his head slightly, and if I wasn’t mistaken, there was a slight smirk playing on his lips, making me wonder what he was thinking.
“Mind if Scout and I come with you?”
I shook my head. “Not at all.”
Weston hooked Scout’s leash to his collar, and we started down the road. I regretted saying yes because I wasn’t sure there was anything for us to talk about, but I didn’t want to be rude. He was free to walk up and down the road whenever he wanted and didn’t need my permission to go into town.
We walked for a few minutes in silence until Weston cleared his throat. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure, although I may not have the answer.”
He huffed a little and smiled. “What happens to the kids when Miriam ... you know,” he asked sheepishly.
“I’ll take them. Long before Cutter was born, she asked me to take care of her baby if she couldn’t. I promised.” I shrugged. “I’ve known them since before they were born. I was there when she had them and was the second one to hold them. It makes sense for them to go to me, and if it wasn’t me, it’d be my parents.”
“That’ll be nice for the kids. To be with someone they know.”
I let out a small groan. “Remind me of this when Cutter wants to yell and scream at me.”
“He’s going to go through a lot,” Weston said. “Not only are his hormones all over the place, but he’s losing his mom, and his dad—”
“Doesn’t exist,” I said, interrupting him. “Their dad isn’t in the picture. Never has been. I’m not even sure he knows he has a daughter.”
“Wait, so he left when Miriam was pregnant? Just up and left his son?”
I grimaced. “Sort of. He wasn’t around for Cutter until he showed up randomly. It was like he had an oat to sow, did, and bailed when Miri told him they were having another child.”
“Bastard.”
The one-word statement made me chuckle. “Among other things. I don’t want to say he ruined Miri’s life, but ...”
“No, I get it.”
“Yeah . . .”
“What about Miriam’s family? Will they fight you for the kids?”
This time I let out something that sounded like a half cough, half laugh. “She’s an only child, and her parents disowned her when she wouldn’t give Cutter up.”
Weston opened his mouth to say something but quickly closed it. I half grinned and continued walking toward the crosswalk.
“Wow. I wasn’t expecting you to say that.”
“It’s something that doesn’t come up, ya know? People don’t ask at games where the grandparents are. My parents show up. They fill the holes left by Miriam’s family.”
“I like your mom,” he said as we crossed the street. He held the door for the Cozy Cup Café and waited for me to enter.
“Is Scout allowed inside?”
“Yeah, Samira loves all dogs.”
The Cozy Cup Café was a vibrant place. As soon as you walked in, the yellow walls welcomed you. Small tables lined one wall, with booths along the other. In the center, round tables were available for bigger parties. Toward the back, where patrons placed their orders, was a large display case with fresh pastries, cakes, and muffins. I wanted to buy the whole lot and eat it all in one sitting.
We walked to the counter and waited in line, which moved fairly fast for a Saturday morning. I placed my order and motioned for Weston to place his, as I intended to buy his breakfast since he’d repaired the porch.
He had his phone on the tap-to-pay before I could maneuver around him and Scout.
