Gaining Miles (Miles Family #5)(16)

The knock on my door gave me butterflies. I’d never felt nervous to see Ben before. Not really. We’d been friends for years, and close friends since my ex had left. But now, something was happening between us. He’d sent me flowers and thoughtful gifts. He’d called me beautiful.

There was no denying that he was an intensely attractive man. From his tanned skin and salt-and-pepper beard to his thick arms and strong hands, he was handsome and capable.

Was he actually interested in me?

I answered the door, expecting to see Ben. I blinked in surprise to see Leo and Hannah on my front porch. Leo had his arm around her shoulders—his scarred arm, no less.

I wanted to hug Hannah every time I saw her. Because of her, my son had life in his eyes—such a contrast from the wounded young man who’d come home to us. Although I’d been as shocked as anyone to hear they were having a baby, I couldn’t wait to meet my granddaughter in a few months.

“Hey, Mom,” Leo said. He was holding my stand mixer. “We just wanted to return this.”

“Thanks.” I moved aside so they could come in. “You can just set it on the counter.”

Leo took the mixer into the kitchen while Hannah came in and sat at the dining table.

“Thanks again for letting me use it,” she said. “I definitely need to get one for myself. That lemon meringue pie recipe you gave me is amazing.”

“Oh good, I’m glad it turned out. Would you like tea?”

“Sure, thanks.”

I went into the kitchen and put the kettle on, then brought mugs and a little basket of tea bags to the dining table.

The front door swung open and Cooper sauntered in. Amelia was with him—of course—her hand clasped in his. My son had what you might call a passion for funny boyfriend t-shirts. Today, he wore a shirt that said If You Think I’m Cute, You Should See My Girlfriend. It was probably the Cooper-est shirt I’d ever seen.

“Mominator,” Cooper said. He dropped Amelia’s hand long enough to give me a hug.

“Hey, Cooper,” I said, hugging him back. Then I hugged Amelia, too. “What are you up to?”

“Not much.” He slid onto the bench at the dining table and pulled Amelia onto his lap. “What about you?”

His eyes flicked to the kitchen, and I had a pretty good idea of what had brought him here. I’d made scones earlier. Cooper had a sixth sense when it came to my baking.

“I made scones this morning,” I said. “Would you like some?”

“Heck, yes,” Cooper said.

Amelia patted him on the cheek, then stood. “I’ll help.”

She and I brought out the scones, along with butter and jam, as well as more mugs for tea.

Brynn and Chase seemed to appear out of nowhere and the next thing I knew, my dining table was filled with my kids. I glanced at the door a few times, wondering if Roland and Zoe were going to show up next.

I sat with a mug of tea and listened while they chatted—even Leo. Not only did Leo contribute to the conversation, he smiled and laughed.

These people made my heart so full.

There was another knock on the door and Cooper sprang up to answer it.

“Ben,” he said as he opened the door. “Good to see you, man. Come in.”

My throat felt tight, like I wasn’t going to be able to speak. I hadn’t said a word to my kids about Ben’s flowers or other gifts. And I hadn’t anticipated having an audience when he came over today.

Judging by the surprise on his face, he hadn’t counted on my kids being here, either.

“Shannon,” he said, nodding to me.

I rose from my seat and gestured to the kitchen. He followed me in.

“Hi,” I said. “Thanks for stopping by.”

“I brought you something.” He held out a hardbound book. “I borrowed it from the library, but it was so good I thought you might want to read it.”

“Thank you,” I said, taking the book and holding it against my chest. “I just finished the last one you loaned me, so this is perfect timing.”

Laughter spilled into the kitchen from the other room. His eyes darted to the doorway, then back to me.

“How about I hang those lanterns for you?”

“That would be great.”

I glanced at my kids, still sitting around my dining table, as I helped Ben get the lanterns. I loved that they still came over—and that they felt like this house was still a home to them. But for the first time, I kind of wished they hadn’t stayed.

Feeling a little guilty for that thought, I took the lanterns out to the front porch.

Ben spent some time hanging them while I sat nearby and watched him work. Watched his capable hands as he used his tools. His strong body as he stretched to reach the beam and drilled hooks into place.

“How does this look?” he asked when he’d finished.

The lanterns hung at differing heights, the light catching on the glass. “They’re perfect.”

Our eyes met and he held my gaze for a long moment. The heat in his subtle smile sent a shiver down my spine.

The sound of laughter inside jolted me from my daze.

“I should probably get home,” Ben said.

A little wave of disappointment washed over me. Should I invite him to stay? What would it mean if I did?