“Sounds good. I’ll help Collin get his winter clothes, and we’ll meet you outside.” She flipped her hair.
Ethan layered jeans over long johns, turned the tee shirt right-side out, and then put on a long-sleeved shirt and a sweatshirt over that.
He made his way outside to find the sleds. It looked like they were going to have a fun day together. It wasn’t like he felt anything romantic for Pearl. Those days were long gone. However, he would welcome her into their son’s life. She was his mother, and Ethan wouldn't stand in her way if she wanted to be with him.
He needed to draw some boundary lines. Having her all over his house wasn’t a situation he was fond of waking up to every morning. Not only did he believe the old adage that good fences made great neighbors, but he’d recently opened up to the idea of inviting another woman into the space.
Which was strange for him. He’d sworn off women as a survival technique. About six months after Pearl left, everyone and their next-door neighbor wanted to set him up with their unmarried niece or long-lost granddaughter, who happened to be driving through town on her way to the alien welcoming party in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. He didn’t bother to ask how she’d been lost because he suspected a flying saucer was in the story.
Some things were better left unverified.
So, the thought of inviting Valerie over for a quiet dinner and game night with him and Collin came as quite a shock. He hadn’t followed through on that idea because he second-guessed every angle. What woman wanted to go on a date with a guy and his kid? What woman wanted to play Sorry! for a first date? What woman would like what he cooked?
What woman wouldn’t get out of his brain?
The answer to all of those questions was the same: Valerie.
Which was why he needed to tell Pearl to back off. He wasn’t an idiot–the timing wasn’t a coincidence. The minute she’d shown up at the Christmas Pageant, Valerie left.
As much as he would like to stand outside and think warm thoughts about Valerie, he needed to work through this new phase with Pearl first. There would be bumps in the road, and he didn’t want Valerie to be one of them–it didn’t seem fair to her.
He started the truck and climbed inside to wait while it warmed up. The radio playedSinging Gloria,and he leaned over to turn it up before he realized what he was doing. Ever since he’d heard Valerie sing, he couldn’t get her voice out of his head. She was an alto, throaty and soulful. He’d bet she could sing the blues with the best of them. Although, her country twang was adorable.
As Pearl and Collin bounded out of the house, he felt a pang of regret that he couldn’t pursue her how he would have wanted to and how she deserved. She was the kind of woman worth everything a man had–but he wouldn’t give away what he had to have her.
Pearl opened the door for Collin. “You ready?” she asked him.
“Yeah!” He pumped his arms over his head.
Ethan pushed his worries away. As much as he wished he could invite Valerie to go with them today, he wasn’t in a place to do so. He could only manage what was in front of him at the moment.
Maybe he should forget her.
Yeah, like that was possible.
CHAPTERSEVEN
“Valerie, you look so good!”
Valerie hugged Charlotte hello, grateful her spunky friend was standing by the front door. She’d needed a heavy dose of courage to get out of her car and make her way into the party in full swing. Lauren’s little cottage home appeared stuffed to the gills with folks from town. There were familiar faces everywhere but none she could put a name to. “Thanks–you too.” She forced her stomach to stop rolling around like a soccer ball.
Charlotte had on a bright red dress that hugged her stick figure. She had no curves. Unlike Valerie, who felt like she had all the curves of a back road through the Ozark Mountains.
“Wow! This is some party!” she called over the din of voices coming from the far corners of the house. The place was packed. People wore everything from cocktail dresses to ugly sweaters with slacks, and there was one woman in a baggy elf costume complete with pointed ears. She might be the elementary school's principal, but Valerie wasn’t sure.
Charlotte grinned. “You should see the backyard. They put up heaters, and people are cooking smores and having a great time. Let me introduce you to some people.” She took Valerie by the arm and pulled her through the crowd into the kitchen, which was less noisy.
They stopped in front of two women at the sink. Pointing to the first, she said, “This is Ethan and Lauren’s mom, who also happens to be my next-door neighbor all growing up, Rose.” Rose had black hair and warm brown eyes that she’d passed on to her children. “And this is my mom.” Charlotte side-hugged the other woman, who was blonde with a splash of spunk in her gaze.
They exchanged pleasantries.
“Why are you two in here doing dishes?” Charlotte scolded them.
“I started by washing my own, and then it snowballed into this.” Rose held up her suds-covered hands and giggled. “I’ll get out and mingle in a minute.”
“Me too,” promised her mom.
Charlotte made them cross their hearts, linked her arm through Valerie’s, and pulled her into the living room. “You’re going to want to meet this lady. She’s bought half of the doggie treats in my store. Which reminds me, I need to order another batch.”
