Page 48 of A Simple Regret

“You’ve done great, Maren,” she replies.

I look her way, wanting to ask how she knows that, because there have been plenty of times over the years when I felt like I was failing miserably. Being a single mom wasn’t on my bingo card, that’s for sure. But through the tough times, the tears, and the struggles, there was so much love it makes my heart soar. We learned together from day one, and even with the good and bad, I wouldn’t change a single moment.

“Thank you,” I finally reply.

We spend the next thirty minutes catching up. I don’t ask, but she openly provides info about Camden and his siblings, though what she tells about my neighbor is pretty vague. What I do know is she’s absolutely in adoration with her new granddaughter. June is three weeks old, and after Linda leaves my place, she’s going over to spend a few minutes with her granddaughter and make dinner for her daughter and boyfriend.

I remember Quinn well. He was always with Camden, and in many cases, with me too. Before I started dating Cam, he was his sidekick, and after we started our relationship, we were The Three Amigos. When I left town, I left Quinn too. I had other friends, of course, a few I kept in contact with when I left Cooper Town, but when it came to Quinn, I left him behind too and hate that I cowardly didn’t say goodbye in person.

“I’m so happy for them,” I tell her.

“They make such a wonderful couple and even better parents.”

I glance down and whisper, “Honestly, I’m not surprised. He always had the biggest crush on her in high school.”

“Oh, don’t I know it,” Linda replies with a chuckle. “Even when he was a young boy and had no clue what love really was, he looked at her like she hung the moon and all the stars.”

“And she wasn’t a fan,” I recall. The five-year age difference was always a big deal back then. When she was in high school and into boys, Quinn was just too young. And then when he was finally old enough later in high school, she looked at him as more of a nuisance than anything else. “Those two used to be able to push each other’s buttons like no other.”

“Oh, they still do,” she agrees with a hearty laugh. “But now, it’s just foreplay.”

I feel my cheeks heat up. I’ve never heard Mrs. Miller say anything like that, and all she said was a single word. Clearing my throat, my eyes automatically turn to my side, right out the window facing my neighbor’s property.

“He missed you a lot.”

I return my attention to Camden’s mom. “I missed him too.”

“I can’t tell you what to do about all that, but I can recommend you just follow your heart.”

I swallow hard and nod, unable to find the words I need to reply.

“If you don’t mind me getting a little nosy, can I ask about Theo’s father?”

I exhale and relax a bit. This is a topic I can discuss without feeling like my heart is going to leap from my chest. “His name was Steven, and we hadn’t been dating very long. About five months or so, when I found out I was pregnant. When I told him, he informed me he didn’t want to be a dad. He handed me a thousand bucks and walked away.”

I can see her emotions on her face. It’s a combination of annoyance, anger, and disappointment, all on our behalf. “Well, as difficult as I’m sure it was for you in the last few years, it’s probably best he walked away when he did. It doesn’t sound like he was father material, if you ask me.”

“Well, I agree with you, Linda.”

She finishes her lemonade and stands. “I should get going. Thank you for opening up your new home and welcoming me inside.” She steps forward and wraps her arms around me as soon as I stand too.

“Thank you so much for the jam. I hope you stop by again,” I whisper, referring to the jar I received from her husband.

“You’re very welcome, and yes, I will, honey,” she murmurs. “And don’t you be a stranger either. You’re welcome anytime.” She grins as she adds, “Especially with that adorable little boy. I think Ty would get the biggest kick out of him.” Ty is her husband, Tyson.

“I’ll try to stop by soon and introduce them.”

“Do that,” she replies before we turn and head for the living room.

“Theo, Miss Linda is leaving.”

He spins around before jumping up and running toward Camden’s mom. “Bye-bye, Miss Winda.”

The older woman squats down and wraps her arms around my son. “It was wonderful to meet you, Theo. I hope to see you again soon.”

“You go swedding wiff us?”

She chuckles. “You like to go sledding?”