“Fine. I’ll bring you a bill,” he said with a smile of admiration.
Liar.He had no intention of letting her pay for her car repair.
Shuffled his feet, he studied his shoes. He’d done what he came to do, but he didn’t want to leave yet. Following Amy into the house, they found his mom coming out of the kitchen.
“Look what the cat dragged in,” Amy said.
“Perfect timing. Dinner is ready.” His mom hugged him then pulled him toward the dining room. “Keep us company. Your father is working in the ER tonight.”
Ben considered refusing, but the aroma coming from the kitchen smelled much more appealing than frozen pizza.
During dinner, his mom steered the conversation toward Ben’s childhood, sharing stories about all the trouble he used to get into with Robert and Jake. Occasionally, he corrected her version of the stories, adding details his mom had never heard. Details, that had she known, would have resulted in serious punishment for him.
Ben wiped his mouth and tossed the napkin on the table. “We wouldn’t have done half those things if it wasn’t for Robert. He was always more adventurous than Jake and I. Makes sense he would pick the dangerous profession. Not that Providence has much crime.”
Except for that one accident, almost a year ago, that shattered my life.And just like that, the pain he tried to ignore crashed over him.
After dinner, he told himself to go home, but still he lingered. His small apartment held no appeal compared to the warmth of his parents’ house, especially with Amy and Kallie here. He’d avoided this house for the past eleven months, but now, he didn’t want to leave.
He sat in the family room with his mom, Amy, and Kallie, who brought him toy after toy again. He wasn’t sure how to react to the cute toddler, but he enjoyed being around her. She reminded him of his Cassey. Where was she? Was she happy and healthy? He might never know the answers to those questions, but he found himself drawn to Kallie and her sweet personality.
Kallie’s pretty mother intrigued him too. Her spunk and determination to be a good mother impressed him.
When he walked home, his heart felt lighter than it had in a forever. A slow smile crept to his lips. Kallie seemed to have that effect on him.
Or was it Amy?
