When the last book was in the backpack, Lexi took a step back and shut the door.
And found herself standing face to face with Connor.
Dammit.
Her throat went dry, and her heart raced so hard that she swore she was going to pass out.
“Hey, Lexi,” he said, his voice low and gruff. “I just wanted to say hello and to promise you I’ll stay out of your way.”
“Oh, um…thank you.”
Dozens of questions raced through her head, but she couldn’t bring herself to voice any of them. Nervously, she combed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. She had hoped to have a little more time before she was forced to see him.
His smile was tentative, so she knew he was just as nervous as she was, and oddly, that was a bit of a relief.
“I hear you’re going to be working with Slater,” he said as he slid his hands into his trouser pockets.
Swallowing hard, she forced herself to respond. “That’s the plan. But I think I’m going to be more on the office side of things. You know, making schedules and coordinating all the activities, not just the ones he’s handling. Walker said I’ll kind of be like a cruise director on land.”
He nodded. “Well, I uh…” Pausing, he looked toward the moving truck and then back at her. “I’m handling all the food right now and then the restaurant when we open. While it’s just our staff here, we’ve all been eating together up at the lodge. I don’t want you to feel like you can’t join us just because of…well…you know…me.”
She almost laughed but refrained.
“Jonah and I have a bit of a routine, so…”
“Lexi,” he quickly countered. “You’re going to be living here, and so is your son. It would be great if he felt comfortable around us and not isolated. My daughter, Annabeth, is eight. I heard your son is…four? Is that right?”
“He’ll be five in two months,” she confirmed. “I just don’t know what time everyone eats, and since Jonah is so young, we tend to eat early. So if we don’t join you, it’s nothing personal, it’s just…life.”
Luckily, he didn’t argue. He simply nodded again. “I get that.”
Then they were both silent.
“Lexi?” Jayce called out. “We’re ready with the first haul!”
“Okay!” she replied before turning back to Connor. “I need to go. I haven’t even seen the cabin yet, so…”
“I guess I’ll see you around.”
“I guess so,” she said quietly, turning away before he could say anything else.
Hopefully no one would be able to tell how nervous and uncomfortable she was. They’d had their first run-in, and now it was over. If things went the way Walker and Kelsey and Jayce assured her it would, there wouldn’t be too many other chance meetings.
“You okay?” Kelsey asked as soon as she was back by the truck.
“Yup.”
“Are you lying to me?”
“Yup.”
Wrapping her arm around her as they walked, Kelsey said, “Oh, sweetie. It’s going to be okay. I promise. At least you got it out of the way immediately. Now you can relax.”
“I guess.” She glanced around and saw Jonah carrying a small box and walking next to Jayce. “Your fiancé is quickly becoming my son’s hero.”
Beside her, Kelsey grinned. “Yeah, Jayce is great with kids. We’re very eager to start a family.”
“You’re going to make great parents. You’re so lucky.” The sigh was out before she knew it. “I never wanted Jonah to be an only child. I always hoped we’d have another baby. You know, before I found out that Adam was a lying, cheating jackass.”
