Page 63 of Second Chances

“So are you. All the things you’ve seen and done in your life.” She sighed. “I’ve never even been out of the States.”

“You haven’t?” He leaned in and kissed her. “We’ll have to plan a trip. Where do you want to go?”

She tilted her head slightly as she thought about it for a moment.

“I’ve always wanted to go to Canada,” she finally said.

He laughed. “Seriously? It’s only a day’s drive from here. Why haven’t you gone?”

“Time, money, and, oh right. Can you imagine spending ten hours in a car with a six-year-old?” She smiled.

“Right.” He nodded. “Okay, where in Canada?”

“Prince Edward Island.” She rested her head back against his shoulder.

“Anne of Green Gables fan?” he asked.

She glanced up at him. “I can’t wait until Simona is old enough to get hooked on the stories.”

“When is her birthday?”

“July first.”

He sat up a little. “That’s only a week away.”

“I know,” Olivia answered.

“That doesn’t give us a lot of time to plan the party.”

Olivia frowned over at him. “Party?”

“Yes. Don’t we need to order a cake, presents, invite people.” He stood up and started pacing the deck as he ticked off everything that he believed they’d need for a seven-year-old’s birthday celebration.

Olivia laughed and stood up to stop him from walking.

“Easy, I have everything handled.” She rested her hands on his shoulders.

“You do?” He frowned, feeling a little let down that he hadn’t been included in the details.

“Yes.” She smiled. “Simona wants a swim party out at the resort. I worked everything out with Sarah months ago.”

He relaxed slightly. “A pool party?” He could see the benefits of that. He could get her a gift… He stopped and turned to Olivia. “What sort of gift does she want? I mean, what do seven-year-old girls like, besides movies.”

Olivia wrapped her arms around him. “We can go shopping together. I still have a few more things to get for the party.”

“This weekend?” he asked, holding on to her.

“Sure.” She rested her head back on his shoulder. “I love that you’re so concerned about this.” She looked up at him.

He brushed a strand of her dark hair away from her face and bent down to kiss her. “She means a lot to me. Both of you do.”

Her entire body relaxed against his, and he knew that he’d won this small battle. Not too long ago she would have tensed.

“Let’s go inside and finish watching the show with Simona,” he suggested. The sun had fully set, leaving them in darkness.

Since it was the middle of the week, he knew his time with them that evening was limited. So he sat on his sofa, snuggling with the two girls in his life, and watched Moana for the third time that month.

Then he carried Simona out to Olivia’s car and locked her in the car seat while she was dead asleep. He gave her a kiss on the forehead before kissing Olivia goodnight.