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“With Mommy?”
“Yeah, honey. With Mommy.” I think maybe that’ll end the game, but Lilly chimes right in with another question. We play a few more rounds, then I lift Lilly off my lap. “I need to go check the weather.”
I crawl out of the tent, then get to my feet and head for the door. I go out onto the porch. The rain has changed direction again and is no longer hitting the porch. But it is still coming down hard. It is also getting too late to walk home, even if it has stopped.
When the door opens, I turn to see Rachel, and she smiles softly at me. “Still coming down, I see.”
“Yeah. I think we’re here for the night.”
“Is everyone going to be worried about us?”
“I told Benjy where we were going. So once it started raining and continued raining, I’m sure he figured we’d be staying out.”
“Okay. I don’t want them sending out a search party or something. I’m sure you missing would be a pretty big deal.”
“I don’t think I’d be missed too badly.”
“I’m sure that’s not true.” She steps closer to me. “I’m sorry if my dog question brought up sad memories.”
I shrug. “It’s fine. Lilly and I talk about it. She actually handles it better than I do. But she was pretty young. She doesn’t have any real memories of her mother. Only stories andpictures.”
“I’m so sorry. That must be very hard for you.”
“It is. But you do what you got to do. Especially when you have a child to raise.”
She nods. “You’re a great father, Preston.” She gives me a sly smile. “And I’m not just saying that because you sign my paychecks.”
“I guess I need to start paying you for Saturdays.”
She shakes her head. “Days of adventure are on me.”
“Okay. Then consider yourself formally invited to all the future ones.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t want it to become a regular thing. It’s your day with Lilly.”
I don’t know why, but I take a step toward her. “I want you to come. You add a whole new level of excitement to our days.”
She studies me for a moment. “Thank you, Preston. That means a lot to me.”
I hold her gaze for a moment, then look away. Something is happening between her and me and I’m not sure if I am ready for it. I turn toward the clearing and take a breath.
She puts a hand on my back. “I’ll go check on Lilly.”
I nod but don’t answer her. Her touch has sent a wave of electricity through me and I need to figure out what that means.
I stay on the porch for about twenty minutes but don’t really come up with any answers. I go back inside to find Lilly still in the tent and Rachel looking through the cupboards.
She glances at me when I come in. “So, we have chili, beef stew, split pea soup, chicken noodle, and ravioli. It’s quite the selection.”
I laugh. “Wow, how do I decide?” I walk over to her. “What sounds good to you?”
“I’m going to have split pea soup. Lilly wants chicken noodle. You can have whatever you want.”
I clear my throat as I think about it. “Hmm. I think I will go with beef stew.”
“You got it. Are you hungry yet?”
“Sure. Do you need help?”