Letters to Molly (Maysen Jar, #2)(4)

When we had Kali, I took a further step back and worked part-time. Once Max arrived, it made sense for me to stay home entirely. Finn took over all aspects of managing Alcott and I phased myself out.

The only lawn I mowed these days was my own. Even the smell of fresh-cut grass and the prospect of a tan couldn’t get me excited for that chore.

I went inside and dropped my purse on the bench in the entryway. I walked around the corner into the kitchen, and as I looked out over the sink into the front yard, I sighed. I needed to mow tonight. It was unavoidable. Spring had been full of dewy mornings and sunny afternoons. If I didn’t do it soon, I’d be facing a jungle.

Finn and I had bought this house the year Max was born. We’d wanted a nice spacious place in a friendly neighborhood. Alcott had become one of the biggest landscaping companies in the Gallatin Valley, so we’d splurged on a home with every upgrade and the best lot in the cul-de-sac.

Then Finn had gone crazy on our landscaping. This place had been his test site, the yard where he’d experiment with new shrubs or trees to see how they stood up before using them for clients. There was a fountain in the backyard. There were flower beds within flower beds. It was beautiful. The envy of all my neighbors.

And a maintenance nightmare.

Finn had created this intricate spectacle that required me to spend hours edging and trimming. I spent more time weeding than actually enjoying the flowers.

And I was too frugal to spend my single, working-mom income to hire a gardener or mowing crew. I hadn’t even had professional help when I’d been married to Bozeman’s king of lawn care.

“I hate my yard.”

The doorbell rang, pulling me away from the window. I hurried to the front door. My neighbor Gavin waved through the glass.

“Hey.” I opened the door with a smile.

“Howdy. I saw you pull up in your new rig. Had to come over and check it out.”

“Isn’t it fun?” I stepped outside, joining him on the wide, covered porch that wrapped around my entire house.

“Pretty snazzy car, Molly.” Gavin tucked his hands in his cargo shorts as he walked down the porch steps and inspected the grass. “Want me to mow for you?”

I really wanted to say yes. “No, that’s okay. Thanks though.”

“You sure? I wouldn’t mind.”

“I’m sure. It’s the only way I keep a tan.”

Gavin had offered to mow my lawn a dozen times since he’d moved in next door two summers ago, but I’d never accepted. Mostly because it was such a chore. I wanted to stay in his good graces in case I ever needed a neighborly favor.

But the other reason I declined his help was because Gavin didn’t have a knack for mowing. I grimaced at the bald spots cut into his grass and the random piles of mulch. Two years and he still hadn’t figured out the right blade height settings.

I might not like mowing, but I was good at it. Better than most.

“Okay. Well, it’s a standing offer.” Gavin flashed me a grin and my heart sped up a beat.

He was handsome, with a trim goatee and silver flecks in his brown hair. He was a single dad who worked from home, five years older than my thirty-five. His office faced mine, and on the rare occasion I was sitting at my desk while he was at his, he’d wave.

We’d been spending more time with each other this spring. His twin girls were two years older than Kali, but even with the age difference, everyone got along. While the kids were playing together at the park or jumping on his trampoline, Gavin and I hung out. Our Friday-night pizza dinners were becoming a thing.

“How’s work going today?” I asked as we strolled to my Jeep.

“Good. I’m taking a break for a few hours. My ex has the girls for the rest of the week and weekend. It’s so quiet when they’re gone that I’ll probably work through dinner.”

I knew exactly how lonely it was when your kids were at their other home. I opened my mouth to invite him over for dinner with us but stopped when a familiar navy truck came rolling down the street.

Max’s window behind Finn’s driver’s seat was open. His head was sticking out, his mouth flapping open, as he stared at the Jeep.

Gavin chuckled. “Somebody’s going to be excited.”

“I’d better grab the keys. He’s going to want to go for a ride.”

I sprinted for the house with a huge smile, bursting through the honey-oak front door and swiping my purse from the bench. When I hurried outside, Finn was pulling into the driveway beside the Jeep, leaving space for me to back out.

“Mom!” Max screamed from the truck as he scrambled to get his seat belt undone. “What? Is that— What?”

I laughed, rejoining Gavin in the driveway.

Kali popped open her door and hopped out, her brown curls bouncing as she landed. “Mom, is this ours?”

“It is.”

“No. Way.” Her eyes were huge as she took a step for the Jeep. “I just—this—no way.”

“Yes way. Surprise.”

“Wow.” She ran her fingers through her hair. It hung nearly to her waist these days, about six inches shorter than mine. I’d been trying to get her to trim it but she refused. She said her curls set her apart in a school where most girls were doing undercuts or dying their hair shades of blue or pink.

“Ahhh!” Max ran around Finn’s truck, jumping up and down as he pointed at the Jeep. “This is so cool. Can we take it for a drive? Right now? Please? Let’s go.”