Chapter 14

Fourteen

Nick

T he next morning, I sat at my desk with coffee in my mug and my laptop open, TV playing in the background. I stretched my neck from one side to the other to ease the kinks. Working from home, not seeing other people for days on end were my norm. It usually didn’t bother me. I’d always loved the silence. The solitude. Most likely, it was a byproduct of growing up near Austin’s chaos. I valued the time alone.

I’d gone from my solitary existence to juggling Brody’s school schedule, baseball practice, and now, social calendar. I wasn’t upset about it. I liked it. Brody had given me purpose.

I hadn’t planned on attending the festival until Brody pleaded his case. Apparently, Austin never did things like that because he thought they were stupid. I shouldn’t have been surprised by that, but after Brody confided in me, I was determined to make it an experience for him. The only thing that topped it was running into Abby.

She’d looked beautiful in her dress and heels but also exhausted. I’d wanted to ease the tension in her shoulders. I'd wanted to be the one to make her feel better.

By the end of the evening, she’d visibly relaxed. Her shoulders were lower, her face less pinched. I was pleased I’d been able to do that for her.

I sensed Abby just wanted to grab Hunter and head home to bed. But I hated that she’d missed the festival and family time.

I saw the concern in Brooke’s face for Abby. She thought she worked too hard. She tried to ease her burden when she could, but Abby was hardheaded about accepting help.

I hoped she’d at least take me up on my offer to look over her business’s financial records. I was good at looking for the money. I’d find a way for her to make a part-time if not full-time assistant possible. There were always other things she could do to bring in income, too. Was she selling any of her photographs online, or did she just take portraits? Did she advertise? Was she solely relying on Gia’s wedding planning business to drum up clients?

I wanted to swoop in and make things better, but I knew she’d hate that. I’d have to be subtle and give suggestions in a way that made her think it was her idea.

Brody and Abby were opening my life to other people and experiences. I’d been so afraid to connect with people before, but now, it seemed easier.

Later that afternoon at practice, Hunter was one of the first kids to arrive, eager to start his bullpen with Brody. I told them to warm up while I finished in the field. Only Abby was setting up her camp chair on the other side of the fence.

When more kids arrived, I directed them to warm up in the outfield with my assistant coaches. I was grateful the other parents had stepped up.

I went through base running, stealing, and fielding today since we’d already gone to the batting cages early in the week. I was already starting to schedule a few scrimmages for the kids to get a better idea of how real games would go. They were still learning, but I was eager to see what they could do.

At the end of practice, the assistant coaches hung around to help me clean up. I was raking the field but acutely aware that Hunter was hanging around the dugout. Abby stood near the dugout.

Everyone else was gone.

“Are you still coming over for dinner?” Abby asked, her voice hesitant.

I smiled. “I’ve been looking forward to this home-cooked meal all week.”

She blushed. “I’m not that great of a cook. Don’t get too excited.”

“I’m sure whatever you make will be delicious. I’m looking forward to good company.” The boys would most likely play wiffle ball in the field, giving me some alone time with Abby.

“We’d better get going, so I can get it ready,” Abby told Hunter.

“When are you coming over?” Hunter asked Brody.

“I don’t know.” Brody looked to me to answer.

“I’d like to take a shower. Want to text me your address? We can come over in an hour.” I said to Abby.

Her cheeks were a deeper pink, her gaze looking anywhere but at me.

Was she flustered? Was she thinking about me in the shower?

“That works,” she finally said, before reminding Hunter they needed to go.

We headed to the cars together. Ours were the last in the lot. “See you soon,” I said to Abby as she got in.

With taking care of Brody, my life wasn’t exactly my own. I had to do what was best for him. But I couldn’t stop myself from wanting her. From wanting more.

I stopped at the local florist shop, Petals, on the way home to grab a fresh bouquet of flowers. My mother always loved getting flowers from my father, and I’d never forgotten how her eyes would light up every time.

Brody grumbled the entire time, but I used the experience as a teaching moment. I wanted him to treat girls with respect.

Abby owned a small home in an older neighborhood.

“Will we have room to play baseball?” Brody asked.

“I think so,” I said, knocking on the front door.

Hunter opened it and said, “Come on,” like he’d been waiting hours for us to show up. They disappeared down the hallway, so I closed the door behind me and followed the smell of chili to the kitchen.

I found Abby in the kitchen cutting a loaf of bread.

“It smells great,” I said.

“Thank you.” Abby turned to wash her hands in the sink and dry them with a nearby towel.

When she was done, I held up the bouquet. “The woman said the bouquet was her harvest one.” I could only identify the sunflowers and roses, but they were a combination of oranges, reds, and yellows.

“That will look perfect on the table.” She took them from me to smell and admire them. She had that same expression on her face my mom used to.

“Can you grab the vase?” Abby pointed to the top cabinet next to the stove. I grabbed the Ball jar and held it out to her. “This one?”

“That’s it.”

She trimmed the stems, filled the jar with water, and added the provided plant food. She admired it for a few seconds on the counter. “It looks great. I almost don’t want to move it.”

The stems were tightly arranged. “You could almost split it into two vases if you wanted.”

“That’s a great idea.”

I grabbed the second jar I’d seen on the same shelf and handed it to her. She removed some of the stems and arranged them in the second vase, moving the larger one to the mantel. Her fireplace was actually an electric one with shelves on either side. It was filled with framed photos of birds, boats on the water, and lighthouses.

“Did you take these?” I asked over my shoulder.

“I did.”

“But your business is only portraits, weddings, and other events?”

She nodded. “It was steady income when I had Hunter. But I prefer being in nature and capturing wildlife.”

“I can see that,” I murmured as I looked from one photo to another. She was clearly talented. The pictures were crisp and clear, and it had obviously taken patience to capture the various wildlife in their natural habitat. She’d taken pictures of snakes, birds, and the sunset over the water.

“Do you sell these?” I’d love to have a few in my home. Not only were they spectacular, but they were even better because Abby had taken them.

She laughed and shook her head as she returned to cutting the crusty bread. “I’m focused on the wedding business for now. I take the occasional senior portraits. It’s steady income. It’s the smart thing to do.”

“Do you always do the smart thing?” I asked before I could filter my words.

Abby pursed her lips. “When you’re raising a child on your own, you make decisions that will provide security and safety. I don’t have the luxury of pursuing my passion.”

“Maybe it’s something you could still do on the side.” I wasn’t sure why I hadn’t taken her cue and backed off. But it was such a shame to let her talent go to waste. I was positive her pictures would sell in the local shops to tourists and locals.

“Maybe,” she said noncommittally, placing the sliced bread platter in the center of the kitchen table.

I peeked into the room next door—her office. I wanted to peruse her space, but she hadn’t invited me to.

Returning to the living room, I asked, “Want me to turn on the fireplace?”

“Sure. The remote’s on the shelf.”

I found it and flipped it on. “Almost like the real thing.”

“Hunter really wants a fireplace. When he was little, he wondered how Santa got in. No matter how many times I told him Santa was magic and could do anything, he was still concerned. And there’s just something about a fireplace. They’re warm, cozy, and inviting. So I bought this to tide us over until we can get one.” She moved to the slow cooker, where she dished out the fragrant chili.

I moved to stand next to her, eager for any information I could get about her life. “Did you have anyone come out to give you an estimate?”

Her nose scrunched. “I expected it to be expensive, but it was double what I was thinking it would be.”

“A gas fireplace?”

“Yeah. We have a second hookup, but they’d still have to re-route the line, build the housing for the fireplace, and install it. Even a small unit added up to a lot.”

“I hope you get it.” She deserved every luxury she wanted. I was curious if Hunter’s dad assisted financially, but I’d never ask about that. It was none of my business.

I’d never felt like that for anyone else before. I’d dated but had never gotten close enough to worry about the woman in the relationship. It was purely for fun. Looking back, I was probably waiting in case Brody needed me. I didn’t want a relationship to complicate my life.

I helped her carry the steaming bowls to the table. She set out smaller bowls of tortilla chips, cheese, and onions.

“Can you ask the boys to come in?”

“Of course.” I opened the slider to say dinner was ready, and the boys immediately dropped their balls and gloves and ran inside.

“I’m starving,” Brody said as he slid into a chair and picked up the spoon as if he was going to dig in.

“Brody. Watch your manners. Wait until everyone’s seated.” I knew Austin hadn’t instilled any sense of decorum in him. I doubt they’d ever had the occasion to socialize with friends. Austin was too busy with his own life, whatever that was, to make sure Brody knew how to act at a table.

Hunter sat next to him while I filled glasses of water for the boys.

“Did you want a beer?” Abby asked me.

“Sure,” I said as she grabbed one from the fridge.

Did she keep beer stocked for her future brother-in-law or potential dates? Did she bring men around Hunter?

I didn’t like the idea of her dating other guys. Not that we were on a date. It was her returning a favor.

She’d made the effort to light scented candles and fold cloth napkins under the silverware. So I unfolded one and placed it on my lap.

Abby stood abruptly just as I was about to take my first bite. “I should move the flowers. They make the perfect centerpiece.”

I shot Brody a look, and he sighed before putting his spoon back down. Abby set the vase in the middle of the table and fussed with the flowers so that the sunflowers were visible on both sides. “There. It’s perfect.”

My heart twinged the entire time she was fussing with the flowers. She appreciated them, and I loved that I could make her happy with something so simple. I made a note to always pick up flowers if I came here for a meal.

“Let’s eat,” Abby said when she realized everyone was waiting for her.

We dug in, and for a few minutes, no one said anything other than how good it was. When I finished my bowl, Abby asked, “Seconds?”

“Please. I haven’t had homemade chili in forever.” Probably not since I was at my parents’.

“I thought it was the perfect time for it,” Abby said, gesturing outside where the leaves on the trees were turning gold and red.

It was chilly today, but the sun was shining, so it felt good to be outside.

“Can we roast marshmallows?” Hunter asked.

“Yeah, can we?” Brody pleaded.

Abby nodded her assent, so I added, “If you eat your dinner.”

I ate until my stomach was over-full. Then, pushing my plate aside, I said, “Thank you for dinner, Abby. It was delicious.”

Her smile widened. “You’re welcome.”

Abby was appreciative of the smallest gestures. It made me think she didn’t have a lot of appreciative males in her life.

Hunter pushed his bowl aside. “Can we play outside?”

Brody shoved his chair back and was already standing.

I held up a hand. “Not so fast. Clear your dish, rinse it, and put it in the dishwasher.”

“Ugh. Fine,” Brody said as he grabbed the bowl and followed Hunter to the sink.

When they ran outside, Abby reminded Hunter, “Please shut the door.”

He came back and reluctantly closed it.

I tipped my head toward the boys. “I have years of bad habits to clear. Brody’s father wasn’t always involved, so manners and chores are foreign to him.”

“It’s tough even when you teach them from birth. Although I might have spoiled him. He’s my only child, so I did things for him for far too long. My father finally stepped in and said I was supposed to be raising him to be independent and that his spouse would thank me one day for instilling responsibility.”

“It’s true. We want to give them everything, but we have to teach them how to maneuver in this world, and it’s not always easy.”

“Parenting is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

“And you’ve done it alone.”

“I can’t imagine doing it any other way. Maybe in the beginning, but I had to let go of that dream.” Abby’s expression was more wistful than hurt.

“You’re stronger than you realize.” I thought I’d told her that before, but I couldn’t help myself from repeating it. I knew you had to hear things sometimes several times before you believed it.

“I didn’t have a choice.”

“I felt the same way, but we all have a choice.”

“I suppose so, but I love him so much. And you’re right, I want to give him everything. I just always feel like I’m playing catch-up because I can’t make up for an absentee father.”

“You have your sister, Ben, your parents.”

“That’s true, but it’s not the same as a father.”

“I like to think I can be a father figure for Brody. On a good day, I like to think I’m better than his father. Don’t feel less than. Not only are you doing the best you can, but you’re surrounding him with people who care for him and experiences.”

“You’re a sweet talker.”

I shifted in my chair, uncomfortable with her characterization. “I call it like I see it.”

She sighed. “I should clean up.”

I stood to take the bowl out of her hand. “You cooked. I’ll clean.”

For a second, it seemed like she wanted to argue; then she finally handed me her bowl.

“You can show me where you’d like me to put everything.” I set our bowls next to the sink, spotting a wine bottle on the counter. “Did you mean to open this for dinner?”

Abby shook her head. “It was a gift. But I’m usually too tired to open a bottle, and I can’t drink the entire thing by myself.”

“Well, tonight, you have me.”