Ollie’s gaze remained downcast. “Are you sure Dad didn’t call?”
I sighed. “I’m sure, bud.” Just in case, I pulled out my phone and checked it again. “He must’ve gotten caught up with something.”
Ollie picked up a stray twig and chucked it at the platform railing. “No. He’s just an asshole.”
A stricter mother would probably scold him about language. Also, I tried to stay neutral where Danny was concerned. But the kid was right.
“Yeah. He can be at times. A grade-A asshole.”
My swearing brought out a snicker and a twinkle in Ollie’s eye.
It used to be that when Ollie was little, he assumed something life-or-death had come up to explain his dad’s absence from baseball games or school events. Either that, or he’d get sad and then bounce back with a Lego set or some cartoons on his iPad.
But Ollie was nine years old now. Old enough to understand how much things just sucked sometimes. People we love can let us down.
From the moment I’d gotten pregnant in college, I’d sworn tomyself I’d be a better parent than my mom or dad ever were. And I was, even if I’d made the mistake of giving so many years to my now-ex-husband.
But in most other ways, my life had been a lucky one. Teller, Ashford, and Callum had come home safe and sound after their military service. Grace had stayed a part of my life at every stage.
She’d been the first person I told when those two blue lines appeared. The maid of honor at my wedding to Danny. The first number I called after I asked Danny for a divorce.
Since my childhood, I’d had my brother Teller and the O’Neals standing by me. And they were Ollie’s family too. I didn’t want my son to ever think he was alone in this world.
“Hey, Maisie’s going to be excited to see you,” I pointed out. “Just imagine the hijinks you two will get up to. I’ll have a head full of gray hair by the end of the night.” I lifted a lock of my blond hair. “Oh no, it’s already happening!”
Not entirely a joke. I was only thirty, but I was pretty sure I’d spied a gray hair or two in the mirror. I blamed Ollie’s father.
He rolled his eyes. “Mom…”
“Come on. You can help me finish cooking. I’m running a little behind schedule.”
“You’re always behind schedule,” he said with a laugh.
“But that’s how I fit in exercise. Running to get to things at the last second. Life lessons, Ollie. I’m giving away these nuggets of wisdom for free. You should be writing this down.”
“Love you, Mom.” Leaning over, Ollie wrapped his arms around my head and hugged me. I almost lost my balance on the ladder as I returned his hug, my throat getting tight. My sweet boy.
“I love you too, Ollie-bear.”
I climbed down and only cringed slightly when Ollie jumped five feet to the ground and ran ahead.
Inside, a playlist of mellow rock hummed from my phone. The kitchen looked like a minor explosion had hit, with most of my ingredients mid-prep to make green-bean casserole. A pot ofcoffee burbled, filling the room with one of my favorite scents in the universe.
Made sense, considering I owned Silver Linings Coffee on Main Street. I was a total sucker for a worn wooden table, a used paperback book, and a steaming cup of joe in a mismatched mug. My idea of heaven.
For tonight’s festivities, an insulated carafe waited on a counter nearby, which I’d borrowed from my shop. I was very particular about sourcing my beans from regional roasters, and I couldn’t possibly have my pumpkin pie tonight without a quality cup alongside it.
Coziness was my love language, and in my opinion, coffee tipped the scales toward cozy any time of day.
“Grab the wooden spoon and get ready to mix,” I said, dumping blanched green beans into the casserole dish.
Ollie poked at the skillet of sauteed mushrooms, sneaking his fingers in to snag one. But when he put it in his mouth, he made a face. “Tastes weird.”
“That’s because I added wine. We’re going fancy.” I was a canned-soup girl for this recipe, all the way, but I’d decided to dress things up this year.
“Wine?” His eyes lifted, and I recognized that mischievous glint.
“Calm down, my dude. The alcohol’s cooked out. Now hurry up. Get that stirring spoon ready.”
