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“Mom, a truck just pulled into the driveway.” David bolted out of the room and down the stairs.
Of course a Farraday would not only be on time, but respectably early. Her heart did its own little dance. She put a hand on her chest, and hoped like so much else in this old town, that little had changed at the Farradays.
When Sandra walked down the steps, she spied Paxton squatting, talking to David. Had her ex ever brought himself down to his son’s level? Not once could she remember Ed relating to David as if their son really mattered. The sight made her heart do a two-step that had nothing to do with warm memories of sprawling ranches and big families. Now she wondered if Paxton had children of his own. The thought had her battling disappointment. And why? Paxton’s personal life was none of her business. Besides, even if he were single, a good-looking and nice man like him had to have women throwing themselves at him. Attractive women without baggage.
David turned to her. “Mr. Farraday says they have horses where we’re going.”
“They do,” she nodded. “And if it’s okay with the Farradays, yes you can go see them.”
“Yay!” The boy shot up in the air like he wore springs for shoes.
“But,” she waved a finger at him, “remember you have to do what the adults tell you.”
Struggling to stand still, David looked up. “Yes, Mommy.”
“Okay, then. Everyone ready?” Paxton straightened to his full height.
“David, go get your jacket. It might be cold when we come home.” Home? How had she not thought of that sooner? “Oh, dear.”
“What?” Paxton’s eyes filled with alarm as his head shot around in search of David.
“It just struck me. I don’t know how we’re going to get home after supper.”
“Oh that.” Paxton’s shoulders eased. “Grace and Chase live here in town. I’m sure she’s planning to bring you home.”
That made her feel better. For a split second, she was ready to cancel the whole outing if it meant putting one of the Farradays out to bring her and her son all the way to town after dark. “Of course.”
His gaze on David across the kitchen, searching for his jacket in the mudroom, Paxton smiled. “He’s a sweet kid.”
She took in a deep breath. “Thanks. I want him to grow up to be a sweet man—strong, but sweet.”
“Is that why you came home?” Paxton turned to face her.
“The city is not where I want my son to grow up. Besides, every kid deserves to be close enough to his grandmother to be a little spoiled. Though, under the same roof may be a little too much togetherness, but it’s best for now.”
He nodded, then his gaze drifted upstairs and back to her. “Just you two coming to dinner?”
It took her a moment to realize that Paxton must not know about her sorry ex-husband. Odd, she’d have thought that news would have spread across the grapevine like wildfire on kindling. “Just us. Mom already has plans.”
David bounced back into the foyer. “Now can we go see the horses?”
Rolling her eyes at her son’s enthusiasm, she grinned and nodded. “Let’s go.”
David jumped even higher on the way out the door. Her gaze settled on Paxton holding the door for her then to her son skipping down the walkway. For the first time in a long time, it suddenly felt like being hopeful about the future wasn’t just pie in the sky dreams.
As soon as Paxton opened the door, Aunt Eileen rushed up to them and completely ignoring him, scooped Sandra into a familiar bear hug. He couldn’t blame her. He wouldn’t mind giving her a big old bear hug himself. Which was probably why he needed to keep a safe distance. He wasn’t sure what the story was with David’s father, but until he knew more, he needed to keep his hands in his pockets and his thoughts to himself.
“So good to see you, Sandra Lynn. Welcome back to Tucker’s Bluff.” Aunt Eileen’s smile took over her face as she leaned over. “And this must be David. I think there are some kids in the backyard waiting to meet you.”
David looked at his mother, who nodded and mouthed, Be good.
“I’ll take him outside.” His cousin Connor’s wife appeared behind their aunt. “I can check on what that brood is doing.” Pausing a moment, she called over her shoulder, “By the way, I’m Catherine, nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too,” Sandra laughed as David practically dragged the woman toward the back door.
The appearance of her son in the kitchen created a flow of family members descending on Sandra from every corner of the house. She was greeted with smiles and hugs and one person after the other shouting out “remember when” until he and a few others were almost doubled over with laughter. Paxton had almost forgotten how much fun his summers in Tuckers Bluff had been with his family, especially fishing with Sandra Lynn. She was one of the only girls who wasn’t squeamish with worms. Actually, she was the one who turned him onto old horror movies. They could watch Vincent Price movies till sunup if his aunt and uncle had let them.
Linking elbows with her childhood friend, Grace tugged Sandra into the cozy family room. “We need to catch up.”
