Page 2 of An Unexpected Chance

She kissed my cheek and scampered away. “Love you, Daddy!” she called as she headed inside.

I smiled at her words, my heart warm. I drained my cup and stood. I would instruct my lawyer to write Kelsey a refusal and tell him to include a paragraph about no further contact. Hopefully she would get the message and move on. I was sure there was someone out there as detached as she was that she could sink her claws into. I was done.

Then I headed inside.

I had braids to weave.

CHAPTER TWO

SIMON

I looked at the cart in front of me with a wry smile. So much for only needing a few things. I may have aced the hair thing over the years, but my meal planning and grocery shopping hadn’t improved that much. At least Mia had grown beyond chicken nuggets and fries. I swore that was all she ate for about three years. I kept our meals pretty simple. Grilled meat, salad, and whatever vegetables I could get into her was our usual. Luckily, she liked salad. That I could do. Mac and cheese was a staple too. Thank God for Holly. We went to their house a lot, and Mia ate well there. Holly often sent home leftovers, which was a godsend. And she was an awesome cook.

I looked around the cookie aisle, dismissing most of it. Mia and I both had a huge sweet tooth, but once we’d tasted Holly’s baking, nothing compared. Chips Ahoy now tasted like cardboard. We did still like the maple cookies, so I added a package. I grabbed the handle of the cart, waiting as the woman beside me perused the shelves. There was something familiar about her, and I studied her, my pulse picking up as I recognized Amy McNeil. She was a friend of Holly’s and had been at the last two barbecues they’d invited us to. She taught kindergarten at the school Mia would be attending, and we had chatted about the school and her classes. I found her intelligent and kind, with her gentle, raspy voice and warm personality. She was average height with golden blond hair that hung down her back and light blue eyes. She had a bohemian look with her layered skirt, scarf, and frilly blouse. Feminine and alluring. Pretty. She had a row of gold freckles across the bridge of her nose if I remembered correctly. It gave her a mischievous look.

I cleared my throat, and she turned her head, her lovely eyes widening when she saw me.

“Simon Fletcher,” she said, smiling.

My name coming from her mouth with the low rasp in her voice did something to my chest.

“Amy McNeil,” I replied. “Shopping for cookies? I took you for a home baker.”

She rolled her eyes. “Have you seen kindergartners inhale cookies? I always do cookies on the first day, but I get simple ones.” She tapped her lip. “I was looking at these low-sugar ones.”

I grimaced. “Why bother?”

She chuckled, spying the maple creams in my basket. “Oh, those! Yes!” She clapped her hands. “Nut-free and kids love them. I can get myself some at the same time.” Then she grimaced. “I’m blocking you in, aren’t I?”

“Not a problem. Block in me anytime,” I quipped, trying not to grin when color peaked on her cheeks.

She sidled past me, reaching for the maple cookies. She took four packages, then frowned and added two more. Meeting my amused glance, she shrugged. “They’re on sale. Might as well stock up.”

“Good point.” I reached past her and grabbed two more packages. “They go great with Grape Nut ice cream.”

“Oh my God. I love that. It’s my favorite. So many people turn up their nose at it.”

“It’s Mia’s favorite too.”

She laid her hand on my arm. I glanced down at it, her fingers long and delicate. She had on three silver rings—all Celtic symbols—the thick metal glinting in the light. “How is Mia?”

“Great. Really great. She’s shopping with Holly and the girls for school.”

“Leaving you on your own to grocery shop?”

“It’s best that way. I’m bad enough. Add Mia to the mix, I’m lucky to make it out with one cart. I can’t seem to say no to her.”

She smiled. “I like that.”

“We’re not good planners. It’s whatever we decide we want and I’ve bought.”

“You should do some freeze-ahead meals. I do them.”

“What are those?”

“Oh, ah—”

I held up my hand. “Before you educate me, Amy, can I ask you something?”