Page 43 of Dreaming Without Heartache

“I think I’ll get back into it and be hands-on with this one. It’s been a while since I’ve done that. Maybe the girls can get more involved in what I do as well. It’d be nice to reconnect with Kara.”

Steven catches me off guard, wrapping his arms around me from behind in a warm bear hug. He kisses the back of my head. “That sounds perfect. Let’s get a drink this week and talk about ideas for this place.”

I lift my hands to hold his embracing forearms and lean my head against him. “Thank you.” I think he understands there’s more behind the words. Steven’s good at that.

The rest of the day we work without serious talk. He doesn’t mention Luke, and I don’t ask. It’s not because I don’t care. We’re just in the zone, doing what needs to be done. We’ve been through enough hard seasons to know how this works. When one of us starts slipping, the other quietly steps in and holds the foundation steady. No judgment. Just support.

By the time I get the girls and get home, I’m exhausted. I haven’t heard from Sam all day. I didn’t reach out to her either. Maybe the fire has burned out for her. Maybe she just needs some space to analyze things. I wish she would talk to me. I can wait if that’s what she needs. I never expected someone like her to come into my life and make the hard days a little more bearable. So, the last thing I want to do is push her away.

I have no clue what we’re going to do for dinner. When I had to fend for just myself, it was so much easier. Now I have to make sure two humans eat well and grow up healthy. I’ll think about food later.

After changing, I walk upstairs to check on the girls. Kara has her door shut. It’s quiet. She’s probably listening to music on her earbuds. Maisie’s watching something on her iPad while lounging across her beanbag.

I walk down to the end of the hall and stop in front of Annie and Bill’s bedroom. I open the door and stare at all the untouched items from the last time they were in this room. It’s like they have been frozen in time, waiting for them to come home and straighten up. Judy’s mentioned us going through their things a few times, but I haven’t been able to do it yet. I should do it for the girls. It might be the closure we all need.

Ding dong—the doorbell startles me. I pull the door closed. I’m not expecting anyone. My heart flutters in hope that Sam is on the other side. A hug from her feels like it would fix almost anything.

“Ta-da!” Steven says as I open the door. He lifts a brown paper bag in the air. “I brought Chinese!” He almost sings the words.

I didn’t realize I was smiling, but it feels good to do so. “Come in.”

“I had a feeling you needed this.” He throws a hand up in the air as he does a circle in the hall. “And of course the food too.” His chuckle warms my heart as it echoes down the hallway.

“It is exactly what I needed. Thank you.”

He puts the bag on the counter and pulls me into a hug. “Anything for you.”

“Would you grab the girls? They’re going to be so happy you’re here.”

“Of course.” He jogs upstairs while I pull four plates from the cabinet. I listen to his cheerful singing as he knocks on Kara’s door, saying her name as if in a Broadway special. A minute later, I hear Maisie scream, followed by a giggle. I imagine he’s picked her up and slung her over his shoulder. And here they come down the stairs with Maisie as I predicted and Kara right with them tickling Maisie from behind. Steven’s singing loudly the words he’s made up on the spot. It’s the best sound.

“Please tell me you got some cream-cheese wontons?” Kara digs in the bag to look. I love her getting excited about food.

“Do I look like an amateur?” Steven arches his thick brow.

“No.” Kara smiles.

“Yum!” Maisie rushes over. “Gimme, gimme.” She licks her lips in anticipation.

Both girls grab a wonton and eat before fixing their plate with rice, sweet-and-sour chicken, and more wontons. Then they take off toward the living room to watch television.

“Don’t spill anything please.” They are pretty good at being clean, but it doesn’t hurt to reiterate.

“Want to grab a drink and sit outside?” Steven pops a whole wonton in his mouth.

“Are you trying to choke yourself?”

“I have a big mouth,” he mumbles as he chews his food.

I shake my head. “Let’s get a drink.”

We both take a glass of chardonnay with us out to the patio. It’s the perfect temperature right now. “Thank you. I truly mean that.” He’s helped me more than he probably realizes. Or maybe he does.

“I’ve got you. You should know that by now.”

“I do.”

“Hey, I forgot to mention that Danny called, and the Pearson Street house has made its recovery quicker than expected and we are back on track.” He lifts his wine to cheers.