Page 70 of The Perfect Distraction

She gave him a bright smile, feeling much better than she had when she’d last seen him. “Pretty much, although I like cinnamon-sugared donuts too.”

“You’re in luck. We have both. Sit down and let me pour you some coffee.”

She sank into the kitchen chair, enjoying the warm, cozy atmosphere of his house and the scents of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods.

Feeling spoiled, she watched him set a steaming mug of coffee and a plate in front of her. And then Joey slid the donut box toward her.

“Wow! How many donuts did you get?” she said, amazed at all the choices.

“I bought a dozen thinking they would last until tomorrow. But the way Joey goes at them, they might not,” Colton teased.

“Hey! I only ate three,” Joey said.

“He’s a growing boy,” Beth said as she plucked a chocolate-covered donut from the box.

“I just remembered something,” Joey said and ran out of the room.

After he left, Colton sat down next to her with his own cup of coffee and took a blueberry donut from the box. “I waited for you,” he explained as he set the donut on his plate.

“That was sweet, but you didn’t have to.”

“I wanted to. Now, dig in.”

She immediately brought the donut to her lips and took a hefty bite, realizing how hungry she was. And then, because she truly felt like she’d just tasted heaven, she moaned and licked her lips. “Ohmigod. I have never tasted anything so delicious.”

“Never?” Colton said, his voice sounding deeper than usual.

She’d been so enamored with her donut that she hadn’t looked him in the eye until then, and what she saw there blew her away.

The moment was lost when Joey raced back into the kitchen holding something behind his back.

“Guess what it is,” he said, looking directly at her.

“I have no idea.”

Bringing his hands around front, he opened them and said, “Ta-da!”

There in his palm was her Petoskey stone polished to perfection.

“It’s beautiful.” She took the stone from him and inspected it, admiring its smoothness and the pattern that was unique to Petoskey stones.

“Grandpa did a good job,” Joey said proudly.

“He did a great job,” she said. “I’ll have to thank him in person.”

“Well, you might get a chance real soon,” Colton said. “Since Joey’s leaving for the July Fourth holiday, my parents asked us over for a barbeque beforehand. Joey and I wanted to invite you to come with us.”

Clutching the stone in her hand, Beth looked at Colton and Joey as if to make sure she’d heard right.

“Yeah. Grandma said it’s okay, and she makes the best food ever!”

“Hey, what about my cooking?” Colton teased.

Beth hadn’t said a word since she was fighting back tears.

“You’re a good cook too, Dad.”

Then Colton glanced over at her and said, “Hey, buddy. Why don’t you wait for us in the living room?”