“I’ll see what I can do.” Macy set off across the grass.
Riley took a chair next to Joe, who had two little ones on his lap. On one arm, he held his and Macy’s nine-month-old son, Justin, who was babbling away in his own private language and drooling on a teething ring. On the other arm, Joe had two-year-old Camryn, his surprise daughter. Camryn’s mom, Tia Fortier, ran the office at Bravo Construction for Josh.
Joe and Tia had spent one night together back before Joe and Macy decided to take their longtime friendship to the next level. Macy had been a single mom then, raising her daughter, Ana, alone. Interestingly enough, Tia adored Macy. Nowadays, Camryn went back and forth between Tia and Joe’s family. It all seemed to be working out pretty well.
Riley asked, “Is Tia here?”
Joe shook his head. “She had something going on with her friends up in Sheridan, so I took Cammy for the weekend.”
“Dillon!” called Ana as she and Shane came running up. “There you are!”
“We’ve been waiting for you,” said Shane.
“We’re having a scavenger hunt,” Ana explained.
“What’s that?” asked Dillon.
“I will explain it,” said Ana in that all-knowing tone she took with the boys. “But right now, just come on.”
Dillon looked up at Riley. “I’m going to go, okay?”
“You bet,” Riley said. “Have fun.”
Joe reminded Ana, “You’ll keep an eye on the boys?”
“’Course, Dad. You know I always do.”
He grinned at her. “Oh yes, you do.”
“Come on you guys,” Ana announced. “Let’s play!” And off they went.
“Welcome to the Rising Sun,” Josh said as he opened a folding chair in the empty space to her left.
She met his eyes and her heart…
Well, never mind about her silly heart. It could pound away as hard as it wanted to.
He took her hand.
She made no objection. Why should she? He was her very good friend and the father of her coming baby. A baby that was no secret. Not anymore, not now that she was as big as a—well, not a house. But definitely a good-size shed.
About then, Macy returned with Riley’s ginger ale.
Riley accepted the cold can and took a drink. “Thanks. Just what I needed.”
For the rest of the afternoon and into the evening, Josh stayed close to Riley’s side. She caught more than one of his relatives looking at them a little longer than usual, probably putting things together.
Riley didn’t mind. It was what it was. They lived in a small town surrounded by people who’d known them both since they were born. And with Josh hovering close, looking at her so…intimately, well, most people could figure out that one and one equaled two. Or in this case, three.
By nine, the sky was orange and deep blue over themountains. She was growing tired. And she had to work tomorrow.
Josh said, “You’re ready to go, huh?”
She covered a yawn with the back of her hand. “It is getting kind of late.”
He went with her to track down Annette.
“Sweetheart.” Annette put an arm around Riley. “Miles and I thought we might stay awhile…”
