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“Oh.” Something I hadn’t even considered—but super appreciated. “My hours are flexible. More like I’ve got a list of stuff I have to do in the next two weeks, and the sooner I finish, the more time I have to just relax.”

Aaron laughed. “Now that sounds like quite a job. My husband, Noel, works for himself. He can do that as well—work intense bursts and then take a bit of time.”

“Whereas Aaron here never takes a vacation.” The woman at the desk glared at the man who, if my calculations were correct, was her boss.

“Well, there’s that. I’m going to Scotland for most of October.” He glared back, but the humor soon broke through and he smiled. “Frida’s lucky she’s such a good employee. Always back talking me.”

“Putting you in your place.” She glowered, but she had a twinkle in her eye.

I smiled. “I think I’m going to like it here.” Honestly, the place had more of a feel of an apartment complex with a busy lobby.

Aaron smiled. “That’s the plan. We treat our guests like family. Don’t hesitate to ask for whatever you might need, okay? We’re also big about privacy, so if you need space, we can offer that too.”

“Well, I’m going to get settled and then head to Fifties.” I spun my finger around as I tried to orient myself.

He pointed to the door. “Hang a left and it’s a block down. Westward.”

“Right. I was pretty certain I passed it on my way here. That’s close.”

“Best burgers in Mission City.” Frida grinned. “I do need to see your credit card and driver’s license.”

“Of course.” I pulled my wallet from my back pocket and handed over my ID. As she processed it, I angled myself toward Aaron. “So, you know many people in town?”

He chuckled. “New arrival. I’m American. From California. I fell in love with a visiting Canadian and chased him all the way home.” A grin nearly split his face. “I never left.”

“Good thing.” Frida gestured to the machine.

I inserted my credit card, entered the PIN, and waited for it to make the pretty noise saying I was okay. I would be, of course.

Which hit me with a pang. My money was paying for this, but Erlene’s life insurance ensured the kids and I would have fewer worries.

“You okay?” Aaron cocked his head.

“Oh, it’s fine. American, eh? You don’t have much of an accent.”

“I pride myself on having a fairly neutral…accent. Plenty of other places have variations.”

“And you’re going to Scotland.” I tucked my credit card and license back into my wallet and slipped it into my back pocket. “That sounds lovely.”

“Delayed honeymoon. We have to go to California in September. Noel’s sister, Kendra, is due to give birth. She’s perfectly calm. Her husband Javier is losing his mind.”

I chuckled. “I’ll admit to being very lucky. I have two kids I love desperately, but I got to adopt them and therefore didn’t have to be there for the birth.”

Aaron smiled. “Noel and I are considering adoption. I might pick your brain…if it’s not too personal.”

“Nah. Pretty boring story. Well, or not. Their mom was a good friend whom I loved, and she got sick. I married her. Because that’s what people do, right? And she was cured and life was great.” A pang in my chest. “Until it came back with a vengeance. She was gone within just a couple of months. That was four years ago…” I blinked.

Slowly, telegraphing his movements so I could step away if I wanted, Aaron moved his hand so that, after a moment, it lay on my forearm. “That’s rough. No two ways about it.”

“Yeah. And, I mean, thank God we married, and I adopted the kids, right? I’m a single dad, but I kind of raised my sisters—who both turned out amazing—so…things worked out.”

“They’re lucky to have you.” He said the words with absolute sincerity.

“I guess. I’m lucky to have them too. Fills a hole in my heart.” I wasn’t going to tell him about Mom and Nan. I barely knew the dude—no need to dump all my pain on him. “But for sure let’s talk about adopting. I can only share what it’s like to adopt older kids, though.”

“I’ll take whatever advice I can get. Would you mind if my, um…” He cocked his head.

“Mind if Noel joins us? Absolutely not. I’m an easygoing guy. Truly.” I grinned. “My eldest is at Pride Camp right now. I’m so damn proud of him. He’s had a rough go, and I think the wilderness will be good for him. That’s why I’m in Mission City. I suppose I could’ve gone back to Vancouver—it’s only an hour’s drive—but I want to be close.”