Page 25

“After dinner.” I crouch down to his level, tired knees and all. “You and me. You show me that garage and we build Fluffy a whole city. Deal?”

He studies my face, checking whether I mean it. I make sure I do.

“A city?” The bounce is already creeping back.

“Roads. Whatever that hamster needs.”

“He needs a fire station,” Bo says, dead serious. “Because of you.”

And there goes whatever was left of the night, gone like it never happened.

“Then we’ll build a fire station.” I straighten up. “Put Fluffy away for now. I’ll see you at the table.”

He goes. This time he’s running.

I continue down the hallway, fishing my phone out of my pocket when it buzzes.

Olivia

Fancy. Sounds good though, I may have to try it. Where are you in Dallas? My go-to coffee shop is Royal Brew.

Royal Brew. That’s only a few blocks from me, and my thumbs are already moving.

Luke

I’ve been to Royal Brew before. It’s about five minutes away from me.

I lean against the kitchen doorway while I wait for her reply, watching the dots blink in and out twice before the message finally pops up.

Olivia

It’s about five minutes from me too. Looks like we aren’t that far away from each other.

What are the chances of that.

“Luke.”

I look up too fast, and I catch myself wiping the smile off my face like a teenager caught passing notes. The phone’s still in my hand. I turn it screen-down and slide it into my pocket, as if that helps anything now.

Dottie is standing at the stove with one hand on her hip, wooden spoon pointed in my direction.

“I’ve called your name twice.”

“Sorry.”

“Distracted?” One eyebrow lifts. She’s already got me read front to back, the way she has my whole life.

“Little bit.”

She holds my eyes a beat longer, that knowing look settling in, the one that says she has questions and is choosing, for now, to be merciful. Then she lets it go, keeps whatever she’s decided to herself, and nods toward the table.

“Lunch is ready.”

I slide my phone back into my pocket and pull out my chair while Bo races back into the kitchen, now blissfully hamster-free.

The three of us settle into our usual spots. Dottie bows her head first, so Bo and I follow.

“Lord, thank You for another day together,” she says. “Thank You for bringing Luke home safely and for watching over everyone still working today. Bless this food and the hands that prepared it. Amen.”