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John walked over to them and took a beer from Milo. “I think the boy likes it.”

Wilda left them and took over pushing duty.

John watched her for a moment. “I think I scared her a bit.”

“She’s…a little overprotective.”

“It’s understandable. So, this living situation seems to be working out.”

“Yeah. It’s going great.”

“I’m a little afraid for you, son.”

“Me? Why?”

“I’m afraid you’re headed for another broken heart.”

“Nah. It’s not like that.” He glanced at John. “I’m being careful, Dad.”

“That boy adores you.”

“I, ah…yeah. The feeling is mutual.”

“Breaking up with a woman is one thing. Breaking up with her kid is quite another.”

“Dad. I’m fine. I’ll be fine. Nothing is going on here. Wilda is…” She laughed, and he lost his train of thought.

John squeezed his shoulder. “If she makes you happy, which I think she does, then getting over those hurdles standing in your way might be worth the effort.”

“Hurdles. I don’t know, Dad. They’re pretty damn big.”

Chapter twenty-one

“That doesn’t really help.”

Milo was two pages into the new book he had just started when there was a knock on his bedroom door. It could only be two people, and Caleb was in bed. He got up and went to open the door. Wilda stood on the other side, her eyes holding a look he couldn’t quite decipher.

“Hey. Um…are you okay?”

“Can I come in?”

He opened the door wider, and she walked past him, then turned to face him. “I want…need…” She sighed, then moved closer to him and kissed him. She looked at him for a moment, then put her arms around his neck and kissed him again.

“Wilda, what…”

She whispered, “Is this okay?”

“Um…”

She stepped back and blushed. “I’m sorry, I’ll go.” She turned away from him, and he reached for her arm.

“I don’t want you to go.”

She turned back. “What do you want?”

“I want…” He leaned in and kissed her. “I’ve wanted you since the day you walked into the classroom.”

“I shouldn’t be here.”