So far, neither of our grandmas have picked apples. They’re walking behind pointing out which trees look good and oohing and ahhing over Caleb.
“Look,”—Eve reaches up to pick a ripe piece of fruit—“I get apple crisp now.”
I shake my head at her antics. “I promise, everyone will get apple crisp when we get home. As long as you promise to save some for Bode when he gets home.”
“At least someone is on my side.” Bode presses a kiss onto the crown of my head.
“Oh, Deb. Grab a picture.” Eve waves at her and passes her phone over.
Bode tugs me close and before I can look at them and smile, Caleb starts making noises at the apple in his hand and I laugh. Based on the reaction of the two of them, it’s a good photo.
“Look how cute you all look together.” Nan holds the phone out so we can see.
I suck in a breath. Caleb is looking at the apple with a confused face, not quite sure what he’s supposed to do with it, I’m laughing at him, and Bode? Well, he’s looking at the two of us like we’re the best things in his world.
“Would you look at that?” he whispers so only I can hear him.
“I love it.” It’s the only thing I can say. Because in reality, saying we look like a family would be too much.
When I moved in, the last thing I expected was to fall for Bode. I didn’t need to get involved with anyone. I was trying to lick my wounds and recover from my ex kicking me out.
Falling for Bode and his kid? That was unexpected to say the least.
Learning how to trust myself again has been a process. With Bode, I feel safe to do it. He never pushes me to do anything I don’t want to do.
The man who says he only ever worried about himself isn’t that same guy. Every day spent with him, I see how selfless he is. With Caleb. With me. With our grandmas.
He’s the first thing I think about in the morning and the last at night.
Could I…could I be falling in love with Bode?
No. It’s way too soon. We’ve only been together a few weeks. Having sex the last few days.
Right?
“You alright, sweetheart?” Nan links her arm through mine as we follow Bode, Caleb, and Eve through the rows of trees.
“I’m good. Just thinking.”
“About how cute all of you are together?”
“Nan,” I moan.
Leave it to her to know. She’s always been able to read me like a book, but I’ve never been one to hide my emotions away.
“What? I’m only saying what I can see with my own peepers. Even I don’t need glasses to see how much you two are into each other.”
“You know you sound like you’re in high school when you say that, right?”
Nan laughs. “Well, someone has to be the fun one around here.”
“Hey. Are you saying we’re not fun?” I goad her. “I’ll have you know today is a perfectly fun day.”
She stops and stares me down. Her brown eyes are wide under her round glasses. “A fun family day. You don’t go out and have enough fun on your own.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I take Caleb from Bode as we settle onto a picnic bench and he goes to get us some drinks. “Why don’t you and Eve go see if there’s any pumpkins we can take home.”
She gives me the side-eye. “I see what you’re trying to do.”
