“Thanks.”
“Can’t have a splattered pumpkin on the pavement, can we?”
I hobble after him and Sienna with the crutch under my arm and close the gate behind me to the park before heading for the nearest bench. Leaves skitter across the path as if they’re racing us, the air carrying that damp, woodsmoke scent that clings to your clothes this time of year. Kids laugh in the distance, their voices matching the squeak of the swings.
Sienna’s already on a swing, with Drake pushing her from behind, the two of them laughing like they’ve done this a thousand times.
I soak in the autumn breeze with a heavy heart, knowing I’ll never have the joys of pushing a child of my own on a swing, the simple joy of them squealing, “higher, Mommy.” My heart breaks for all the missed park visits I could have had. I often tell myself I’m fine with cats instead of kids, that it was never on my bingo card. But watching them together, I feel a sharp pang of regret for everything I’ll never have.
It never really bothered me until it became the reason I’m alone. Looking back now, I realise I had a lucky escape from my ex-husband. But the scar he left on my heart still stings.
Drake drops onto the bench next to me, catching his breath. "I don’t know where she gets her energy from.” He watches Sienna kick her legs out and tuck them back inagain as she swings back and forth, a smile reaching his eyes.
He nudges my shoulder. “You look like you were deep in thought there. What’s on your mind?”
“Nothing. I was just thinking about how nice it will be to finally get this cast off my foot.”
“Yeah, you owe me a dance.” His lips curve into a smile, and I can’t help but match it with one of my own.
“Daddy, look how high I am,” Sienna shouts.
“Be careful.” He waves at her on the swing. “She’s really settled in here, better than I expected.”
“How areyouliking it here in Starlight Bay?” I ask.
“It’s feeling more like home.” He runs a hand down his face with a sigh. “I couldn’t carry on like I was back in England. Harold and May had offered to move to the UK, but then Phoenix called about the job, and I knew it was the right move.” He waves at Sienna again with a sad, whimsical look on his face. “A year after the accident and I would roll over in bed and still reach for Elise, like my body hadn’t caught up to my head, then reality would hit. She wasn’t there, and she was never coming back.”
“I’m sorry you had to go through that.” My chest aches for him and his daughter.
“So am I, but since moving here, it’s like we’ve got a new lease of life.” He nods to Sienna on the swing. “She’s so much happier.” His hand drops to his side and brushes against mine. Sparks caress my skin as his calloused fingers stroke against mine.
“We can’t do this, Drake.”
“Do what?” He interlaces our fingers together, and I don’t protest. I love how my hand fits in his large palm, and despite me being ten years older, I feel smaller with him. Protected. Cared for.
A gust tugs at my hair, scattering red strands across myface like the leaves tumbling from the trees. “We can’t have a relationship. It’s too complicated.”
“Why? Because I have a daughter. A past?”
I furrow my brow. “No. Sienna has nothing to do with this.”
He brushes back a loose strand of hair and tucks it behind my ear. “What the hell did star face do to you?”
“Star face?”
“Your ex. The guy with the star sticker covering his face.”
“Oh. Him. We don’t talk about him.”
“Whatever he did made you think you don’t deserve love, or made you think you should be alone.” His hand squeezes mine. “I’m not him, Ember.”
Tingles race up my arm and zap my heart. “I can’t give you what you want. There are other women who would be better suited for you.”
“But I don’t want other women.” His calloused thumb strokes my cheek. “I want the hot mess. I want the kind and caring woman who opens her home up to stray cats. The fiery woman who makes pumpkins look tasty, and I want the intelligent woman who can teach my daughter to be strong and independent just like her.”
“Drake…” His name on my tongue is nothing but a whisper as he brushes his lips against mine. “We shouldn’t do this in front of Sienna.”
His fingers curl around my neck, holding me in place. “I’ve talked with her about dating you.” He pulls away to gaze into my eyes. “How are you at braiding hair?”
