Letters to Molly (Maysen Jar, #2)(6)

“Dad’s still here.” Kali pointed to Finn’s truck.

I blinked, certain I’d pulled onto the wrong street. Finn hadn’t mowed that lawn in years, even when we’d been married. Back then, work had demanded his full attention and he’d get home past dark most nights in the summer.

The mowing duty had always fallen to me.

But here he was, pushing my red mower in diagonal stripes across the grass. The Weed Eater was propped up against the garage door next to a pile of extension cords.

“What’s he doing?”

“Uh, mowing the lawn.” Max laughed. “Duh.”

I rolled my eyes. “Thanks for clarifying, Max.”

“Ask a stupid question, get a stu—”

“Don’t say stupid.” I was glad he couldn’t see my smile from behind me.

My son was a smart-ass. He dished out comebacks faster and wittier than most adults. Teasing Finn and me was one of his greatest pleasures. The only person he was gentle with was Kali.

She didn’t have his thick skin. Maybe it was because she was getting into those difficult teen years. Maybe it was because the divorce had been so hard on her. Whatever the reason, Kali was more sensitive these days. And I’d always been grateful that Max loved his big sister so much that he went out of his way to protect her soft heart.

“Can you guys take the pizza inside?” I asked Max and Kali as I parked in the garage.

“Sure, Mom,” my girl volunteered.

“Thanks.” I had to find out what their father was still doing here.

As they carried the boxes inside, I walked out front to find Finn.

His shoes were coated with grass clippings, ruined for anything fancier than manual labor now. He spun the mower around, coming in my direction. When he reached the end of that row, he stopped the machine, the noise settling.

“What are—”

“Hey, Dad.” Max appeared at my side, a stolen breadstick in one hand and a huge bite in his cheeks. Kali was right behind him.

“Hey, guys. How was the ride?”

Max swallowed. “Sweet. Kali and I have our own screens so we don’t have to watch the same thing.”

Finn chuckled. “Did you like it, Kali?”

“Oh, yeah. Mom has the coolest car of any of my friends now.”

I smiled. Mission accomplished. “Will you guys go inside and set the table, please?”

Their feet stomped up the porch steps before they burst through the door, not bothering to shut it behind them.

“You didn’t have to do this,” I told Finn.

He shrugged. “No big deal.”

Who was this stranger? Well, whoever the Finn imposter was, I at least owed him dinner. “We got pizza. You’re welcome to stay.”

“That’d be great. I’ll finish up out here and hit the back. Then I’ll be in. You guys go ahead. Don’t wait for me.”

“If you want to just do the front, I can handle the back. Really.”

“Molly, it’s fine.” His voice was soft, smooth like the spring breeze. “I had nothing to do tonight but go home to an empty house.”

“Okay.” My shoulders relaxed. I wasn’t putting him out, and his help was much appreciated.

I left him to it, walking over to the porch steps and glancing over my shoulder as Finn tugged the pull cord and brought the mower’s engine to life.

He’d dropped the kids’ backpacks inside the door. I carried them down the hallway, leaving them at the base of the stairs before ducking into the dining room positioned off the kitchen.

“Good job, guys.” Max was setting out glasses while Kali placed napkins. They must have assumed Finn was staying, because there were four plates already set.

It was nice to see the dining room table full. Having it empty three or four nights a week when the kids stayed at Finn’s house was depressing. So much so, I usually ate standing in the kitchen or sitting on the living room couch. Anywhere but the dining room table, where the five empty seats made me feel alone.

“Oh, shoot.” I’d forgotten all about Gavin eating alone and my earlier plan to invite him over.

“What?” Kali asked.

“Never mind.” With Finn here, it would be too awkward to have Gavin come over. I could stop next door and invite him to a different meal later in the week after I’d caught up with the kids.

I opened pizza boxes and we each took our seats to dive in. When Max reached for his sixth piece, I swatted his hand away. “Save some for your dad. If he doesn’t eat it all, you can have the rest.”

“Okay.” He patted his belly. “I’m kinda full anyway. Do I have to eat the crusts?”

“No.” Though in an hour, he’d be hungry again.

“Can I go to my room?”

“Sure.” I winked. “Please take your backpack with you and get it unpacked.”

“Thanks, Mom.” He stood from the table, taking his plate with him to the sink. Then he bolted for the stairs.

“That kid doesn’t walk anywhere, does he?”

Kali giggled. “Can I go too?”

“Sure, sweetheart. Do you have any homework?”

She shook her head as she stood, also clearing her plate. “No.”

I stayed in my chair, watching as she put her plate and Max’s into the dishwasher. She’d always been my helper. I knew she helped at Finn’s place too.