And it would be limited. He hadnt been able to retain a strong relationship with his own family who lived under the same roof as him. He didnt delude himself that he was cut out for the rigors of a long-distance relationship. Not with his job and three children who deserved as much time as he could give them.
Frustrated, he plowed a hand through his hair. I wish things were different.
Oh, you have no idea how many times Ive had reason to think that. She gave him a bittersweet smile. For what its worth, Im glad you kissed me the other day. I just dont think its a good idea
I agree. In practice, if not in spirit.
Silence descended on them.
Brenna rocked back on her heels. If were gonna spend the next five minutes in painful awkwardness, we might as well get comfortable. Want to join me in the living room?
They both sat on the same sofa, but curled up at opposite ends with an entire upholstered cushion separating them. Even the strictest chaperone would approve. Adam tried not to be depressed.
Did I tell you that I looked into that idea you had for Morgans party, at a salon? I even tested it by asking if she likes to have her nails done.
And?
She was practically giddy about the idea. There arent many places here in town, but I called all of them. The only stumbling block is that I cant drop the girls off. One woman said she might accept a twelve-year-old being there alone, but no way would she be comfortable taking responsibility for two kids, especially when one is so young.
You should go with them, Brenna said.
He couldnt tell if she was kidding or not.
Ask for Linda at Beautiful Day, Brenna added, wiggling her fingers. She gives a great hand massage. Im not suggesting you get sparkly decals-
He shot her a look that let her know what he thought of that possibility.
-but you could get your nails, I dont know, buffed or something.
Eliza and Morgan would probably find that hysterically funny. It didnt mesh with his original idea of making use of one-on-one time with Geoff, but why not? I guess Geoffs mature enough to read in the waiting area. Because theres no way hell agree to participate. Adam grinned, imagining how his teenager would react to such a suggestion.
Tilting her head back, Brenna addressed the ceiling. I cant believe Im about to say thisWhat if I hired Geoff for the afternoon?
What?
She shrugged. He might have mentioned something about wanting to earn cash this summer. Take Morgan and Eliza out to a daddy-daughter lunch. If theres one thing Ive noticed about Geoff, its that he isnt picky about food. He can eat a couple of hot dogs here. Ill pay him for a few hours of filing and light office work while the girls get their mani-pedis.
And if you have to come back here to pick him up, anyway, we could have She covered her face with her hands, making the rest of her sentence difficult to decipher.
Sorry, I didnt get that.
She lowered her hands. If you think it would add to the festive atmosphere for Morgan, we could have cake and balloons waiting here for her. I could also invite over Josh and Natalie.
He was dumbstruck by her generosity. Not that Im ungrateful for the offer, but why? I got the impression we were already a bit toounderfoot.
I guess I just really like your kids.
She said it so grudgingly that he knew it was nothing less than the truth. This wasnt an instance of some woman telling him he had cute kids because she wanted to score brownie points with the affluent surgeon. Brenna had seen his children cranky, belligerent, hungry, needy and tired; yet she liked them, anyway.
It really stank that they were being so adult and reasonable about keeping their hands to themselves, because hed never wanted to kiss her more.
ADAM WAS PROUD of himself for not having to use the in case of emergency number Sara had given him. As per her request, the kids had left her a message when theyd reached Mistletoe and checked into the Chattavista, but other than that, they hadnt really spoken to their mother until today. Hed known that she wouldnt miss calling on Morgans birthday.
The phone rang first thing in the morning as they were all getting ready to go down for breakfast. He would have let Morgan pick it up if she hadnt just started brushing her teeth. Instead, he answered.
Hello?
Adam! Its Sara. She hesitated, as if wanting to ask how things were going but not wanting him to feel interrogated.
I know three people who are going to be very glad to talk to you, he said, hoping she was enjoying her honeymoon and not worrying about them too much. He passed the phone to Geoff first.
Hey, Mom! We miss you. But were having a good time. Like, yesterday, when Morgan had to be rushed to the emergency room and-Oof! Dad has no sense of humor, Geoff complained. Hes throwing things at meA pillow, but still. Of course I was kidding. Not about the good time, though. We got a cat.
Hey! Morgan bounced out of the bathroom, her features scrunched into an expression of indignation. I want to tell her about that. Its my birthday.
All right, squirt. Geoff ruffled her hair and told his mother goodbye.
Then Morgan was off and running, telling their mother about how theyd adopted a stray cat who would live with Adam in Tennessee, but for now was staying with Ms. Pierce, the pretty pet-sitter.
That part made Adam flinch a bit.
Mommy, you wont guess what me and Daddy and Liza are doing today! Were having our toes and fingers painted. They said I could pick any color I want and even pick what music they play in the beauty salon while Im there.
That part made Adam flinch a bit.
Mommy, you wont guess what me and Daddy and Liza are doing today! Were having our toes and fingers painted. They said I could pick any color I want and even pick what music they play in the beauty salon while Im there.
After that, Eliza took her turn, although she didnt have nearly as much to say as the other two. Her mother must have noticed, because there was a long silence on the Mistletoe end while Sara spoke. Was she giving her daughter a pep talk?
She wants to speak to you, Eliza said a few minutes later.
Adam put Geoff temporarily in charge and gave the kids permission to go downstairs and start enjoying the breakfast buffet without him. Keep an eye on Morgan, and Ill be there soon, he told them.
Theyre gone? Sara confirmed. So. Hows it really going?
He sat on the edge of his bed. I swear no ones been to the ER. When exactly did Geoff develop such a warped sense of humor, anyway? Sara, I have to tell you, Im amazed by the job you do. You deal with lost socks and painful crushes and battles of wills every single day, and youre obviously doing something right because theyre turning out pretty damn well.
His words of praise were met with shocked silence. Th-thank you. Guess we all have our skills. I mean, I can sew a Halloween costume with the best of em, but you should see my pitiful attempts at coronary-artery-bypass grafting.
He laughed aloud, impressed that she could rattle off the terminology. That probably meant shed done a better job of listening during their marriage than he had.
Dans a lucky man, he told her without rancor.
Wow. Youre just full of pleasant surprises today. Mistletoe must agree with you.
Its a nice place. Brennas smile flashed in his mind. Nice people, too.
Such as the pretty pet-sitter? she prodded.
Brenna Pierce, the woman boarding the cat for us. Youd like her.
Ah, but the question is, how much do you like her?
I dont know what youre imagining, but I havent even been here a full week.
That is so not an answer, she said, sounding just like Eliza.
He flopped back on the bed. We probably discussed it at the time, but remind me. How did the kids take it when you and Dan started dating?
Pretty well, but I think they were excited to have She paused.
Yes?
A father figure in their lives, she concluded apologetically. Im thrilled youre taking this vacation with them, I am, and it sounds as if its going really, really well. But there were birthdays you missed, sporting events you couldnt attend. And they liked having a guy up in the bleachers rooting for them.
Even then, there was some backsliding, Sara added. You may have noticed how Eliza can be a tad moody?
And the Titanics maiden voyage was a tad choppy. You dont say.
The point is, we muddled through. I sat them down and had frank discussions with them about Dan, kept them apprised of where the relationship was going. You and the kids will just have to find your own way. I believe in you. She sounded sincere.
But just to clarify, you dont have a problem with my getting romantically involved with someone? He had that same involuntary mental image of Brenna again. This time his chest tightened in a not-exactly-painful way.
Of course not! Sara said. As long as you keep the kids best interests first and foremost, Id be thrilled for you.
When he got off the phone, he immediately left the room to join the kids. But today, he barely heard the way they ribbed each other or the observations they made about other diners. He was too preoccupied with seeing Brenna later in the day and wrestling with his growing attraction to her. He supposed that, as far as come-on lines went, Good news! My ex-wife says we can hook up wasnt very debonair.
IT MUST HAVE BEEN so cool growing up in your family, Geoff commented from behind the desk.
Surprised by the non sequitur, Brenna studied her office, trying to spot any telltale signs of coolness. What makes you say that?
Well, theres Josh, whos taking us rafting next week. Geoff had explained that Lydia at the lodge would look after Morgan for the afternoon; Brenna had felt inexplicably bereft at this news. Even though she did not have the time to sit with Morgan and lose potentially hours of work, it had occurred to her that the Varners would be gone before she knew it. Would she wish later that shed had an extra afternoon with the adorably high-spirited girl? And of course, theres you.
Of course, Brenna said, grinning.
So I figured with the way you guys turned out, your family must have been pretty great.
It was. Is, she admitted. But its easier to appreciate those things in retrospect, now that Im out of the house.