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“Well, I’m glad you did,” he replied, reaching for my hand.

The warmth of his smile gave me confidence I thought had abandoned me long ago. “Me too.”

“Let me grab your bag,” Cody offered.

“Bag?”

“Your overnight bag?” Cody clarified. “You did pack one, didn’t you?”

“Oh, yeah. In the trunk,” I told him.

Cody flashed me that smirk that had entrapped me right from the beginning. After squeezing my hand, he broke his hold and moved to the back of the car. When he opened it, he found it overflowing.

“Tomorrow morning, River has a game. I didn’t want to rush home, so his gear’s here. I’m not expecting … you don’t have to …” I blubbered off. The last thing I wanted Cody to think was that I’d put him in a position he didn’t want to be in.

“Sounds great. What time?” he asked as he pulled out River’s old, battered glove.

“Cody, you don’t have to,” I repeated.

“What time, Tillie?” he asked again, this time in his no-nonsense tone.

“Game starts at eleven. I need to have him there by ten,” I confirmed.

“Great! Well, I guess we’d better get some practice in then.” Cody beamed, grabbing my bag and swinging it over his shoulder before reaching for River’s.

The bravado was back as he strutted across the yard and waited at the door, holding it open for me. I closed the trunk, adjusted my purse strap, and closed the distance. I met Cody at the front door, stopping to kiss him as I passed. I couldn’t not. He kept surprising me at every turn, and I had no doubt there were many more surprises in my future.

Cody set our bags down and turned to River.

“Okay. Who wants a drink?” Cody offered.

“Me!” River answered, his hand shooting up in the air.

“River!” I scolded.

“Sorry, Mom. Me please, Cody,” he corrected, and I smiled.

River was a good kid, the best, but at the end of the day, he was still a kid. One who still needed to be reminded to brush his teeth, pick up his socks, and use his manners.

Cody chuckled and opened the fridge. It was stocked to the point of overflowing. He had every flavor of juice and soda Wattle Creek had to offer. River settled at the counter, and Cody filled a glass before handing it to him.

“So, what do you feel like doing this weekend?” Cody asked, leaning against the counter and crossing his legs at the ankles.

Ten minutes later, I was rocking back and forth on the porch swing, glass of wine in hand, admiring the sunset as the boys in my life tossed a ball around. Cody continued to shock me. He was patient and understanding, sharing tips and tricks with River, and helping him adjust his stance and modify his grip.

The sun was fading, and I left them to it and disappeared inside. My heart was overflowing. They were laughing, bonding, and it was everything I could have ever wished for River. And for myself, if I were being honest. All I wanted was for someone to accept me and River into their lives and into their hearts without judging. I was beginning to think that maybe Cody could be that guy.

I was just about to call them in when they fell through the door laughing. River was wearing Cody’s cap and looking up at him, his eyes filled with hero worship.

“Good timing, boys. Dinner’s ready. Go get washed up,” I encouraged.

Cody told River where to go, and he raced up the stairs. Once we were alone, Cody moved quickly. He wrapped me in his arms and stole a kiss that wasn’t enough. “You didn’t have to organize dinner. I was going to do that,” he murmured against my neck.

“You looked like you were having fun,” I told him.

“I was. I forgot how simple just tossing the ball around could be when there’s no pressure,” he admitted, and I got the feeling it wasn’t something he shared with too many people.

“How’s your shoulder?” I asked, remembering why he was in Wattle Creek in the first place.