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Tanner chuckled. “No. My mom died when I was small, and my dad doesn’t live there anymore.”

Ashton studied him for a moment. “Where does he live?”

“He’s been in the hospital for a long time. He’s sick.”

“That sucks.”

Tanner shrugged. “He’s better off in there.”

“Do you go to see him much?”

“No. He’s kind of mean.”

Ashton nodded as if he understood. “I don’t see my dad, either. He’s not interested in me.”

Tanner glanced at Everly, not knowing how or if he should respond to that.

“It’s not that he’s not interested in you – he doesn’t know you,” Everly began.

Ashton cut her off. “It’s okay, Mom. I know you tell me nice things so that I won’t feel bad, but I don’t feel bad. I know how it works. Some dads aren’t interested in their kids. It doesn’t bother me.”

Tanner could only watch as Everly stared at her son. His words had obviously taken her by surprise.

“I don’t just tell you nice things,” she said eventually. “I try to tell you the truth.”

Ashton smiled at Tanner. “Mom looks out for me, but I know the deal.”

Tanner nodded. He didn’t want to wade in where he had no business, but he didn’t want either of them to feel bad. “Obviously, I don’t know your dad. I don’t know what the deal is. All I know is that I’m glad he’s not in the picture because if he were, I wouldn’t have the chance to be with either of you.”

He sensed, more than saw, Everly turning to look at him. He hoped she wasn’t mad at him for what he’d said, but he didn’t turn away from Ashton, who was holding his gaze. When the kid smiled and nodded, Tanner felt himself relax.

When he dared to turn to Everly, he was relieved when she smiled, too.

“I’m glad that we all have the chance to hang out together like this and get to know each other.” She turned to Ashton. “And if the time comes when you and your dad want to get to know each other, we’ll make that happen, too. It’s not like you need to choose.”

Tanner nodded, sensing that he might have messed up. “Yeah, I hope that I get to spend more time with you guys, but that hasnothing to do with you and your dad getting to know each other. He’ll always be your dad.”

Ashton laughed. “You guys don’t need to try so hard. He’s never been interested in me, and I’m not interested in him. It’s all okay. I’m not worried about it.”

“I just need you to know that if that changes, we’ll figure it out,” Everly told him.

“I know.” Ashton turned to look back out the window, and Tanner cocked an eyebrow at Everly.

She gave him a slight nod, and he held his hand out to her. When he waggled his fingers, she smiled and placed her hand in his. He closed his eyes and breathed in. This was the first time that he’d dared to show any physical affection in front of Ashton. He was relieved that she hadn’t rejected him, and more than that, her hand in his still felt the same kind of small, soft, and right, as it had before she left Montana.

“Wow! Look, guys!” Ashton spun around to face them, and Tanner opened his fingers, expecting Everly to withdraw her hand.

She didn’t. Instead, she smiled at her son, and asked, “What have you spotted now?”

Ashton forgot whatever landmark outside the window had caught his attention. He grinned and pointed at their joined hands. “That! That’s awesome!”

“You know I like to be honest with you about as much as I can. I’m not going to try and hide what’s going on from you. I think you already know that Tanner and I like each other.”

“Duh! He wouldn’t be here if you didn’t, would he?”

Tanner had to laugh. “And you’re okay with it?”

Ashton rolled his eyes. “Course I am. Mom’s never had a boyfriend. And you’re cool. I think it’d be awesome if you guys got married. Then we could move to Montana with you.”