Letters to Molly (Maysen Jar, #2)(7)

“I’m glad you’re home.”

“Me too.” She smiled and came over for a tight hug, then she disappeared upstairs to her room.

I cleared my own plate just as the mower’s noise outside stopped. Through the kitchen window, I watched Finn come around the side of the garage and go to his truck. He toed off his grass-stained shoes and tossed them into the back. Then he did the same with his socks, which were green around the ankles. He bent down and swatted at the hems of his jeans, clearing away grass clippings before cuffing them in a tall fold.

My eyes dropped to his ass. Habit, I guessed. It still looked as good as it had when we’d been married. Finn hadn’t let age or sitting behind a desk compromise his muscled physique.

I was still staring when he stood and turned, his eyes finding mine through the kitchen window. I dropped my chin, hoping that by the time he walked inside the blush in my cheeks would be gone.

Finn came inside and straight to the kitchen. “Did Max save me anything but the crusts?”

“I guarded a few slices for you,” I said as I got him a glass of water.

“Thanks.” He washed his hands, then we both sat at the table, him on one side of a corner, me on the other. The silence stretched for a few awkward moments. “So, uh, how is work?”

“Good.” I plucked at a hair tie on my wrist. “It’s been busy. We’re already starting to see the summer tourists.”

I had the best job in all of Bozeman, working with my best friend, Poppy, at the restaurant she’d started nearly six years ago.

The Maysen Jar had always been her dream. When her husband Jamie had died in a tragic shooting ten years ago, she’d lost her footing. But that restaurant had helped her regain her balance. And not long afterward, she’d opened her heart to a new love. She’d married Cole Goodman, a man who lived up to his name.

Maybe it was time for me to find love again. Since the divorce, I’d focused on my career and the kids. But as they got older, as work got easier, I had more and more lonely moments.

Gavin had asked me out on two different occasions. Timing hadn’t worked out for either because I’d already had plans. Maybe it was time to stop living this single life and take a risk.

Maybe when I purchased the Jeep’s replacement down the road in seven or eight years, I’d check a different marital status box on the application.

Though the idea of dating anyone made me queasy.

Finn didn’t have that problem. He’d moved on and had been dating on and off for years. He’d been with his most recent girlfriend for about a year. Brenna. I didn’t know much about her, because I’d made it a point to know little about his relationships. I asked questions to be civil, these women were spending time with my children after all, but nothing beyond the surface.

With Brenna, things were getting serious. Whenever Finn didn’t have the kids, she was attached to his side. She was even friends with Poppy. There was a picture hanging in the restaurant’s office of her and Finn playing board games at Poppy and Cole’s house.

When Poppy had asked me if I’d minded that photo, I’d lied and told her no. It was her restaurant. Finn was her brother. How she chose to decorate her office was her choice.

And when that photo had gone up six months ago, I’d started doing my office work out of the office.

I’d accepted divorced life. I had a way to go to accept Finn’s love life.

“What’s Brenna up to tonight?” If Finn was mowing my lawn, she must have had plans.

He swallowed his bite of pizza, chasing it down with some water. “I don’t know. We broke up last weekend.”

“Oh.” That was surprising. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked. “Sorry.”

Finn shrugged. “Don’t be.”

I almost asked Finn how he was feeling about it, but discussing his feelings had been nearly impossible when we’d been married, let alone divorced.

Instead, I asked, “How were the kids?” He’d had them for the past three days.

“Good.” He grinned as he chewed. “They’re always good. Max can’t wait for school to be out next week. Kali doesn’t want it to end.”

I smiled. “Max just wants to do basketball camp. Kali doesn’t want to go the whole summer without seeing her friends.”

“She asked me if we could figure out a way for her to take swimming lessons with Vanessa.”

“Okay. I’ll call Vanessa’s mom and get schedule information. We’ll see if we can fit it in between all their camps.” Summers were always chaotic, running the kids from one summer camp to the next while still trying to work.

“Just let me know what I can do to help coordinate.” Finn tossed his uneaten crust onto his plate. Like Max, he didn’t eat the crust unless he was on the verge of starvation.

I, on the other hand, never turned down the carbs. I held out my hand, palm up. He chuckled and slid his plate over so I could take the crust. I ate it while he ate another piece of pizza.

“More?” He held up another crust.

I shook my head. “I’m full. Thanks again for doing the lawn.” It would save me from the chore this weekend and give me more time to take the kids out exploring in our new Jeep.

“No problem. What are you guys doing this weekend?”

“Nothing much. I was thinking of planning something fun to do with the kids. Maybe take them up to Hyalite Lake or something. You?”