Gaining Miles (Miles Family #5)(9)

Zoe was in Roland’s doorway, holding Hudson up against her shoulder. She bounced and shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Hudson’s cries filled the hall, her attempts to soothe him clearly failing.

I followed Shannon over to Roland’s office.

“Aw, Huddy,” Shannon said. “What’s the matter?”

“Someone decided to get up at four o’clock this morning and refused to go back to sleep,” Zoe said. “Now he’s exhausted.”

“Isn’t Marina watching him today?” Shannon asked.

“She just called,” Zoe said, continuing her bounce-sway-pat routine to no avail. “She had a family emergency and has to go out of town for a few days. I figured she was just running late, and we have a luncheon at eleven, so I brought him with me. I thought she could pick him up here, but she’s on her way to Portland.”

“I’ll take him home,” Roland said.

Shannon reached for him. “I can take him.”

“Are you sure?” Roland asked.

“Of course,” she said. “I know how busy you are.”

“I’ll come home after the luncheon’s over,” Zoe said. “It should only last a couple of hours.”

“That’s fine,” Shannon said as Zoe handed a crying Hudson to her. “I’ll get him down for a nap and he’ll be good as new.”

“Thank you so much,” Zoe said, draping her diaper bag strap over Shannon’s shoulder. “You’re a lifesaver.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Roland said.

“Come on, mister. Let’s go home and take a nice nap.” She glanced at me. “Sorry, Benjamin. Did you have something you needed to ask me?”

Not in front of two of your kids while you’re holding a crying baby. “Oh, no. You go on and get that little one home.”

She smiled, rubbing Hudson’s back. “Okay. Zoe, take your time. We’ll be fine.”

“Thank you again,” Zoe said, straightening her blouse.

I watched Shannon take Hudson downstairs. Heard his cries disappear as they left the building.

Damn.

That hadn’t worked out the way I’d wanted. I’d just have to try again later.





Five





Shannon





The tasting room was empty. It was a quiet evening, so I’d sent Brynn home early. Now, ten minutes to closing, I didn’t expect we’d get any more customers.

I’d spent my morning with Hudson, although he’d slept through most of it. Poor little nugget had been so exhausted he’d taken a three-and-a-half-hour nap. I’d fed him lunch and he’d been back to his happy self. Zoe had come home soon after, so I’d gone back to work.

The afternoon had gotten away from me, and the next thing I knew, it was nearly seven. My days were like that more often than not—filled with work and family. Life was busy.

Which was why I’d been looking forward to tonight.

I got out two wine glasses and set them on the bar. After mulling it over for a minute or two, I chose a wine—a sweet red blend with a hint of blackberry. We aged it in bourbon barrels, sourced from a local distillery, giving it a smooth finish. It had become one of my favorites.

My friend Naomi came in, dressed in a beige trench coat. Her blond hair was cut short—about chin length—and she had a handbag slung over her shoulder.

Naomi Harris and I were perhaps the unlikeliest of friends. She’d been my husband’s mistress, years ago. Borne him two children, both while he was married to me. I hadn’t known at the time. More importantly, Naomi hadn’t known about me. She’d believed Lawrence to be single. She’d been devastated to discover he had a wife and children, living just half an hour away.

At first, I’d wanted nothing to do with her. I’d felt sympathy for her children, and hadn’t wanted to get in the way of them getting to know their half-siblings. But eventually, I’d decided I needed to clear the air with Naomi.

We’d sat down together over coffee and told each other our stories. That day, I’d come to an important realization: Naomi and I were both victims. We’d been deeply wounded by the same man, and neither of us had ever intended to hurt the other.

After that, we’d cautiously begun to form a friendship. We’d bonded over our shared experiences as women and mothers, as well as our hatred of the man who’d betrayed us both.

Lawrence had gotten prison. I’d gotten a friend. Yet another way I’d come out far ahead, despite all the horrible things he’d done.

“Hi, Shannon,” Naomi said with a smile. She put her handbag on the bar and took off her coat. “How was your day?”

“Busy,” I said and poured us each a glass, then re-corked the bottle. I pushed her glass toward her, then went around the bar to take a seat next to her. “Emergency babysitting duties this morning, catching up with work all afternoon. How about you?”

She swirled her wine. “Busy. Elijah dropped his project in a puddle on the way to school. Then he was upset about being late. Poor buddy.”

“Where is he tonight?”

“With the family next door,” she said.

“I’m glad you could get away.” I lifted my glass and took a sip. “I haven’t seen you in a while. What’s new?”