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“Guess neither of us wants to stay away, huh?” I ask Blue, closing the door behind us. “I think you deserve a treat.”
Blue’s whole body wags and he lets out a howl of agreement, racing toward the kitchen, bouncing impatiently until I fish out a snack for him.
Now I just have to create some errands to bring me into town.
Worth it.
Chapter Eight
The bags hang heavily on my arms, weighing me down as we plod our way to the car. Completely exhausted after a full day; my nerves are frazzled and ice cream sounds amazing.
“Come on, Mom,” Theo encourages, bounding unencumbered on his way down the sidewalk ahead of me. “We’re going to be late.”
A drop of sweat trails down my back, soaking into the thin material of my shirt and, at this point, I’m too afraid to even consider looking at my reflection. Not that it matters. You don’t want a guy. Lie.
“Hey, Arden, do you want some help?” a raspy voice calls from behind me and I jump. My heart pounds in my ears. After stopping at the police station this morning to disclose the restraining order against Frank, everything is boiling too close to the surface. A hand darts out, and I flinch hard to the side. Phantom pain explodes across my jaw, and my hand darts up to touch my face, sending all the bags swinging.
“If you weren’t such a shitty wife, I wouldn’t need to teach you this way,” Frank snarls, and I quiver. He raises his meaty fist, rearing it back before slamming it into my mouth. “No matter how hard I try, you never learn, do you.”
The grocery bags in my hands fall to the floor, spilling their contents across the sparkling tile. An orange rolls slowly until it halts at the base of the island. “I—I’m sorry.” The apology whispers from me although I swear he hadn’t mentioned wanting me to pick him up more beer.
“You’re gonna be,” he grunts. And I screw my eyes shut as I wait for the next blow to fall…
But of course, it’s not my piece of shit ex. Jeremy stands next to me, arm outstretched, offering to take a bag. His deep blue eyes see way too much in that moment and his gaze runs over me from head to toe, but not with heat. Almost like he’s checking for injuries. “Everything okay?” he asks, taking a step back to give me some space as though he can sense how badly I need it.
“Jeremy!” Theo exclaims, and I’m thankful when the tension breaks between us. “Ice cream time! Hurry! We’re going to be late.”
Theo comes over, grabbing my neighbor’s hand like it’s natural, and discomfort crawls up my neck. We’re both getting way too comfortable here. Frank could find us at any minute, and connections will only make it harder to leave. Theo can’t get attached. I can’t get attached.
“Hold on there a second, Theo,” Jeremy tells him. “First, let’s see if your momma will give me some of those bags so we can get them to the car.”
He turns toward me, hands extended but still scrutinizing me like he can sense my walls. “What do you say, Sugar? Can I carry some of your burden?”
Though he’s talking about the bags of school clothing and supplies I’m holding, the offer is so sincere that it almost seems like he’s talking about more. And the urge to spill everything becomes overwhelming, filling my chest with a tightness that threatens to erupt like a volcano, burying everyone under the ash of my failed marriage.
Choking it all back and blinking hard at the tears which suddenly blur my vision, I give him a nod and start passing him a few. Even my son offers to carry a bag. With all of us hauling the load, we make record time getting to the car and dumping it all in the trunk. Before I know it, we’re headed toward Lickety Split with Jeremy standing between Theo and me, holding both of our hands like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
My hand is dwarfed by his, and his callouses rub against my sensitive palms, sending zips of lust straight to my core. A thrill pulses through me when he gently squeezes, still keeping up an almost constant chatter with Theo as we wander down the busy sidewalk. The quaint town feels less daunting with him by my side. Friendly townsfolk wave as we walk by, calling out greetings that fill me with warmth and a sense of belonging.
All too soon, we have to let go, and Jeremy pulls the door open, holding it for us. The gentlemanly move shouldn’t shock me, but it does. Frank never did that, expecting me to catch it as he walked in first. Asshole.
A little tinkling bell sounds, and cool air wafts from the door, along with the sweet smell of ice cream. My mouth instantly waters, needing the sweet treat desperately. Jeremy’s hand lands low on my back, the heat searing through my shirt and causing my nipples to pucker. The move is comforting, friendly, but yearning fills me. It’s been so long since anyone touched me with tenderness. Maybe it’s time.
Theo runs to the display in the front, standing on tiptoes to see into the case. “Mom! There are so many flavors. How many scoops can I have?” he gushes, eyes wide, taking it all in. The owner comes over with a cheerful grin. Happy to let us all sample the different flavors until we decide. Theo gets a scoop of blue raspberry and another rainbow sorbet, while Jeremy sticks to peanut butter and chocolate, and I get a soft serve chocolate and vanilla swirl in a cone.
The shop has a bunch of tables, and I snag one along with a stack of napkins while the boys gather spoons and carry their desserts over. We all settle around the circular table and I can’t help but notice the glow my son has around him. All the changes have been good for him. School, the ranch…Jeremy.
“How did your errands go today?” Jeremy asks, folding himself comfortably in the seat next to mine.
“So good. We went and signed me up for school. Dylan was there,” Theo tells him. The principal had shown us around the beautiful little elementary school and when she found out that Theo and Dylan had become fast friends, she promised to put them in the same class. “He told me you give him riding lessons.”
My son’s pointed announcement makes me smile as Jeremy squirms, looking my way for help. “Maybe Jeremy will let us borrow a horse, and Mommy can teach you to ride,” I offer, and he glares mutinously at me.
“You’re welcome to ride our horses anytime. I can show you which ones are ours and not in training,” Jeremy is quick to offer. “But have you ridden before? I’m happy to teach you both.”
He smiles charmingly at me and bending at the waist, I lean closer, propping my elbow on the table and giving my ice cream a lick. Jeremy’s pupils dilate instantly, his gaze following my tongue. The sweet creamy goodness explodes on my tongue and I let loose a little moan that has him shifting in his seat.
“Yeah, I know how to ride,” I reply, pleased at the hard swallow he takes. Jeremy coughs, his face flushing before he regains his composure and drops a hand to my thigh. My pussy reacts instantly, fluttering and dampening my panties. Damn, the man is potent. “I used to ride competitively before I had Theo.”
