“Mom, it’s just Ben,” he interrupted.
I pursed my lips. “Fine. Wyatt, this is my son, Ben. He’s going to be going to Springwood Technical Institute after he graduates, and he’s interested in engineering and architecture.”
Wyatt stuck out his hand. “Good to meet you, Ben. I do some work with those subjects myself.”
“I know, I’d love to ask you about it, if you don’t mind.” Ben was blushing, but he held Wyatt’s eye and pride rushed through me.
Wyatt grabbed the seat next to him and sat down. I had one of those moments where I was struck by how grown-up my kid was, and had to step away.
Seeing Wyatt interact with him was something I needed to distance myself from, too. Wyatt was cute and kind, but I’d fought hard for the peace I had in life now, as chaotic as it was. I couldn’t risk it even for a pair of pretty brown eyes.
Chapter Four
Wyatt
“I’m definitely not an engineer, but can tell you whatever you want to know about what we do at Wild Timber.”
“That would be great,” Ben took an awkward sip of his coffee. I made a mental note to call him Ben, not Benji, since that was what he preferred.
I remembered being his age. It had always been just my mom and me, and well before I was ready for the responsibility, I’d taken on any job I could get, trying to help with the bills that never stopped coming. I’d started off as a laborer, working my way up before taking some courses in CAD and basic design. That was how I eventually landed my job at Wild Timber Homes.
It would have helped if I’d had someone already in the industry back then, someone I trusted to give me advice. I might not have my own kids, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t offer a little wisdom to someone else’s. If I could save the kid from at least one dumb mistake, he’d be ahead of where I was at eighteen.
“I do most of the computer work for the designs. I’m the only one with the patience for the software.”
Ben perked up. “What kind of software do you use?”
I babbled on for a while about the programs we used and my workflow. As I told him about the Beast project we were working on, Vera appeared and set plates of food in front of both of us.I’d been so distracted I hadn’t even ordered, but someone must have told her what I liked. The plate of pancakes, eggs, and sausage was exactly what I would have chosen.
“So, when are you off to college?”
Ben swallowed a mouthful of French toast. “September, but hoping to move to Springwood in June. I work a bit for Two Rivers Tree Falling, and they have more work in Springwood than here.”
I nodded. “I’ve worked with the owner, Brody, on a few projects. He knows his stuff.”
Ben nodded. “That’s part of why I want to get more hours in with him. But I also need the money. School will be expensive.”
“How expensive?”
He shrugged. “Crazy expensive. But I’ve had summer jobs since I was fifteen, so I’ve got some money saved up. I’ve applied for scholarships, and I plan to work while I’m in school. My mom keeps saying she’s going to come up with a way to make extra money, but I don’t want her to worry.”
I absorbed that. As the kid of a single mom, I understood the dynamic between Ben and Vera better than most. If her nightstand idea was a way to help Ben, I was even more invested in making it work. That littletoy boxproject felt a lot less like a weird side job and a lot more like something important.
“What about your dad?” I asked, spearing some scrambled eggs, and taking a bite.
Ben wiped his mouth with a napkin. “He’s great; he and Mom get along fine, luckily. But he’s a long-haul trucker, so he’s away a lot, and that isn’t exactly a high-paying job either. Mom and Dad both work really hard. I don’t want either of them to think they have to help me with college. But I know both of them do.”
He seemed to have more on his mind, so I waited him out.
“They had me when they were like twenty, so when I’m halfway through my degree, they’d have been buying diapers. Iknow they feel responsible for me, but if they could raise a kid at my age, surely I can figure out how to cover my own expenses, you know?”
I did know.
I saw a lot of myself in the kid. Even though his dad was in his life and mine hadn’t been, I understood what it was like to feel responsible for your parents in some way.
“Tell you what,” I said, setting my fork down. Somehow my plate was empty, and I didn’t remember finishing it. “I’m no expert, but if you ever have questions or want to stop by Wild Timber Homes to see what we do, feel free. Helps to see how the industry works from the inside.”
Ben’s eyes lit up, then flicked over my shoulder. Before she even said a word, I knew Vera was standing behind me.
