Page 57 of Goode Tidings

I do as he asks, and Oliver gets another minute with his dad before they hang up.

"Am I not getting a stepmom after all?" he asks, sliding a highlighter over a passage in the first scene of the book.

What a question for a kid to ask. It's one thing if his involved dad met a woman and dated her and the relationship followed a typical progression. But this? This is anything but typical.

"I'm not sure, bud. Your dad didn't make it clear one way or the other."

"Would you ever get remarried?"

I pinch my lower lip as I think about it, and immediately remember the way Callum touched me in that same spot. "I would, yes. But I would make sure you were ok with it, first. You're my priority."

Oliver nods, but keeps his gaze on the page. "You should be happy, Mom."

I nudge him. "I am happy. Safe home, full belly, and you by my side. Life is good."

Something unspoken hangs in the air, and I hear it like a shout.

Oliver won't always be here. He'll grow up, spread his wings. I know it, and so does he.

At some point, maybe I'll spread my wings, too.

CHAPTER 27

Callum & Eden

Hey, Callum. Are you ready for the first item on my No More Sad Man Hermit list?

Hello, Eden. There's a list?

*adds 'teach Callum how to make a list' to my list.

I know how to make a list.

I'm confident I can improve your method.

What's the first item on your list?

Teaching you to cook. Starting tonight.

Consider me pleasantly surprised by that. I thought for sure you were going to say puppy yoga.

I saw that flyer pinned to the board in the coffee shop! That activity is a little further down on my list.

I am NOT doing puppy yoga.

Callum Goode, I am but a sad, lonely, jobless woman. Would you really take the puppies away from me? The PUPPIES?

You are diabolical.

I need to see this list so I know what else I'm getting myself into.

No More Sad Man Hermit 1. Learn to cook (at least somewhat proficiently) 2. Volunteer 3. Puppy yoga 4. Find Callum a date (he can veto b/c it feels like the right thing to do) 5. Challenge Callum in ways that are yet-to-be-determined

I will be liberal with my veto power, just so you know. And number 5 is vague.

Quit your sniveling.

I'll see you tonight at six. Don't wear white.