parent, he was even more on guard.
What if Ben or Mina woke up sick or with a nightmare? What if one of them walked in their sleep and fell down the stairs?
In the hour to two before sunrise, his mind turned to the upcoming day. Making sure they were up in time, dressed, fed, and off to school. Mental reminders regarding any homework or upcoming events. Did he need to book a babysitter? Had he agreed to any playdates or sleepovers? What was he making for supper? Did he need to stop by Oslow’s?
Sometimes his mind would slip to the past. How it had been before Paula died. How she’d handled the kids and managed the household with such fricking joy. Sam wasn’t keen on dusting or vacuuming or folding laundry. Paula had tackled domestic chores with a smile. She’d taken pride in their home the way Sam took pride in his carpentry. He missed her infectious laugh, her shitty taste in music, the smell of her fruity shampoo. He missed her touch. Her company.
After two long years of grieving, Sam was ready to move on. He wanted a woman in his bed, in his life. A companion. A lover. A mother for his children.
His mind was set on Rae.
She loved kids. Was great with kids. She already had a comfortable relationship with both Ben and Mina. She was quiet, kind of like Sam, and she was kind. Kind and pretty. She was also loaded. If he thought she was a snob, the money thing would bug him. But he didn’t get that vibe. There was plenty he didn’t know about Rae, but one thing was certain—she had a gentle soul and a good heart. If she gave Sam half a chance, he was certain he could make her happy. Except he’d promised he wouldn’t press.
That was the only reason Sam was on his way to the Rothfield Farm instead of the Pine and Periwinkle. He’d told Rocky he’d meet up with Harper Day. He’d agreed to tour the woman’s house, assess what needed to be done and how much he could do. If he could help his cousin prepare for her wedding by taking the flaky publicist off her hands for a couple of weeks, he figured, what the hell? After multiple tours overseas, Sam was certain his and Rocky’s idea of “bad” were two different things. He’d weathered active combat, he could handle Harper Day.
Just as Sam turned off of 105 onto 236, his cell rang. “Yeah.”
“Are you on your way to Harper’s?” Rocky asked.
“You thought I’d back out?”
“No, but, how long do you think you’ll be?”
“No idea. Why?”
“I’m calling an emergency meeting of the Cupcake Lovers.”
“This about the recipe book?”
“During our talk last night, Rae pitched an idea that could get us back on the fast track. Then again you probably know that since you two have been yakking on the phone the past couple of weeks.”
“Your point?”
“I don’t want to you to get hurt.”
“That makes two of us.”
“Sam—”
“Leave it. What time’s the meeting and where?”
“Moose-a-lotta. Just after closing.”
Ben and Mina spent every other weekend with Paula’s parents. Sam wouldn’t have to worry about returning home at a certain time or preparing dinner or bribing Mina for her nighttime bath with a bottle of Mr. Bubble. Plenty of time to work magic on the old Rothwell house before driving back to Sugar Creek. “I’ll be there.”
“Great. That makes almost everyone.”
“Who bailed?”
“Casey’s out of town until Monday and Luke’s already committed. Can’t blame him,” Rocky said. “It’s Saturday after all. You know Luke.”
So his cousin was bartending at the Shack or showing a woman a good time. Or … he’d taken Sam’s suggestion about leaving the Cupcake Lovers. “See you then,” Sam said.
He disconnected just as he turned onto Swamp Road. Even though the two-lane roadway had been plowed at one point, Sam’s tires rolled over at least three inches of packed snow and ice. Nothing he didn’t manage on a daily basis, but he was accustomed to winters in Vermont. He was wondering how Ms. Day,
What if Ben or Mina woke up sick or with a nightmare? What if one of them walked in their sleep and fell down the stairs?
In the hour to two before sunrise, his mind turned to the upcoming day. Making sure they were up in time, dressed, fed, and off to school. Mental reminders regarding any homework or upcoming events. Did he need to book a babysitter? Had he agreed to any playdates or sleepovers? What was he making for supper? Did he need to stop by Oslow’s?
Sometimes his mind would slip to the past. How it had been before Paula died. How she’d handled the kids and managed the household with such fricking joy. Sam wasn’t keen on dusting or vacuuming or folding laundry. Paula had tackled domestic chores with a smile. She’d taken pride in their home the way Sam took pride in his carpentry. He missed her infectious laugh, her shitty taste in music, the smell of her fruity shampoo. He missed her touch. Her company.
After two long years of grieving, Sam was ready to move on. He wanted a woman in his bed, in his life. A companion. A lover. A mother for his children.
His mind was set on Rae.
She loved kids. Was great with kids. She already had a comfortable relationship with both Ben and Mina. She was quiet, kind of like Sam, and she was kind. Kind and pretty. She was also loaded. If he thought she was a snob, the money thing would bug him. But he didn’t get that vibe. There was plenty he didn’t know about Rae, but one thing was certain—she had a gentle soul and a good heart. If she gave Sam half a chance, he was certain he could make her happy. Except he’d promised he wouldn’t press.
That was the only reason Sam was on his way to the Rothfield Farm instead of the Pine and Periwinkle. He’d told Rocky he’d meet up with Harper Day. He’d agreed to tour the woman’s house, assess what needed to be done and how much he could do. If he could help his cousin prepare for her wedding by taking the flaky publicist off her hands for a couple of weeks, he figured, what the hell? After multiple tours overseas, Sam was certain his and Rocky’s idea of “bad” were two different things. He’d weathered active combat, he could handle Harper Day.
Just as Sam turned off of 105 onto 236, his cell rang. “Yeah.”
“Are you on your way to Harper’s?” Rocky asked.
“You thought I’d back out?”
“No, but, how long do you think you’ll be?”
“No idea. Why?”
“I’m calling an emergency meeting of the Cupcake Lovers.”
“This about the recipe book?”
“During our talk last night, Rae pitched an idea that could get us back on the fast track. Then again you probably know that since you two have been yakking on the phone the past couple of weeks.”
“Your point?”
“I don’t want to you to get hurt.”
“That makes two of us.”
“Sam—”
“Leave it. What time’s the meeting and where?”
“Moose-a-lotta. Just after closing.”
Ben and Mina spent every other weekend with Paula’s parents. Sam wouldn’t have to worry about returning home at a certain time or preparing dinner or bribing Mina for her nighttime bath with a bottle of Mr. Bubble. Plenty of time to work magic on the old Rothwell house before driving back to Sugar Creek. “I’ll be there.”
“Great. That makes almost everyone.”
“Who bailed?”
“Casey’s out of town until Monday and Luke’s already committed. Can’t blame him,” Rocky said. “It’s Saturday after all. You know Luke.”
So his cousin was bartending at the Shack or showing a woman a good time. Or … he’d taken Sam’s suggestion about leaving the Cupcake Lovers. “See you then,” Sam said.
He disconnected just as he turned onto Swamp Road. Even though the two-lane roadway had been plowed at one point, Sam’s tires rolled over at least three inches of packed snow and ice. Nothing he didn’t manage on a daily basis, but he was accustomed to winters in Vermont. He was wondering how Ms. Day,
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