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They were ruining all the soft and fuzzies I had and the excitement of something with Noah.
And heaven knows, I needed all the soft and fuzzies I could get.
ChapterFifteen
Noah
I was so tired—myday had been long, but after last night, I’d found it hard to fall asleep.
The way Chris had hugged me, held me, and told me I was a good dad, was everything to me, and maybe it was what I needed to hear.
And feel.
By the time I’d gotten a grumpy Fox into bed, it was almost eleven, and I’d expected to fall asleep straight away but, yeah, it didn’t happen. Both of us slept in, only woken at nine, startled and disorientated by my phone ringing. A guy was downstairs with a delivery of dry goods, anddid I even want the stuff because he had things to do.I placated him with a test coffee from the newly scrubbed and flushed coffee machine, plus an apple pastry from yesterday’s test batch, and he at least left with a smile. Of course, I then had hours of sorting through everything I’d ordered, but at least my pantry area was more filled out now. Then, it was painting, and fixing, and more menu thinking, and I had one more thing on my list for today—fixing the broken bench seat with the runaway stuffing.
I’d painted yet another coat over the cock and balls on the wall, and now, I could barely see the outline, and hoped that another couple of coats would erase the monstrosity altogether. I crouched down, examining the worn leather bench, a YouTube video playing on my phone that offered a tutorial about fixing broken leather on furniture. The bench had seen better days because it was right under the window that had a crack in the wooden frame, which equaled water damage. I’d fixed the window with putty, but now the seat needed to be returned to its former glory.
I pondered the need for a nail gun, weighing its efficiency in the videos against the fact I had a needle for leather that I’d purchased from the Mercantile. I’d been reassured by Jim—he of the impressive handlebar-mustache—behind the counter, that it was the right thing to fix it the old-fashioned way. Something about honoring my past, which I’d just smiled at.
“Maybe a nail gunwouldbe easier,” I mulled this over, but the sound of footsteps distracted me, and Fox burst into the room.
“Dad!” Fox began, a hint of excitement in his voice. “Can I go to Clarke’s house for a sleepover? Ainsley will be there too, and we can work on our science project.”
I slipped into Dad mode after a few seconds. “It’s okay with me as long as Clarke’s parents will be there.”
“His mom’ll be there.” Fox replied. “He lives in Collier Falls, so she’s offered to pick me up, then Ainsley.”
“Is she sure? I can give you a ride over there.”
“She’s cool with it,” Fox added. “I’m gonna get my stuff!” He darted out and thundered up the stairs. At least, I’d get to meet her when she picked Fox up, even so, his first night away from me, and I was feeling weird, and my chest knotted.He’ll be perfectly safe. He’ll have a great time.
I went back to the seat, and Fox ran back down with a backpack and folders I assumed contained school work, and waited by the door, unable to sit still. After the meltdown, then last night at the ranch, it was more than nice to see Fox excited again. I didn’t ask him if he’d told his friends about his dad, because it was Fox’s decision when to do that, but he hadn’t told me he had, so I had to assume he was still keeping secrets.
Clarke’s mom arrived at the diner after twenty minutes, a pleasant woman who had a young boy in tow, stomping snow from their boots. I went towards them, hand extended.
“Noah,” I introduced myself.
“Beth,” she replied, and we shook hands, then I did the same with Clarke, a short kid with the widest smile.
“Hey again, Mr. Bennett,” he sing-songed.
“Nice to meet you in person, Clarke.”
Then Clarke and Fox were chatting, and it was time for them to go, and god, I wanted to drag Fox into a hug and never let him go. If he sensed that, I didn’t know, but he took the initiative and hugged me goodbye. Then, with the folders tucked under his arm, they left for great things like pizza and picking up Ainsley. I watched the SUV drive away, then with a sigh, I turned back to my nemesis, the bench, and carried on.
I had to concentrate so hard on getting the needle and thread to work. A nail gun was a better way of doing this, but for now, I was happy with the mindless work, lost in the rhythmic in and out of the stubborn needle and wondering how Fox was getting on with his first sleepover. Yes, I worried, but I knew Clarke and Ainsley were kids Fox could count on as friends.
Nothing to worry about.
The diner was quiet, the kind of silence that came when there was no Fox around, and even though I already missed him, because I was that much of sap, I was happy in my thoughts and not ready to head upstairs to my lonely apartment, yet. I wished Chris was here, and pulled out my cell to ask him over, but a knock interrupted the silence and made me pause halfway through sending Chris a message. I pasted on my game face for potential future customers, even if it was dark and getting late. Chris was outside using his crutches, bundled up against the cold and smiling. Surprised, I hurried over and unlocked the door.
“Hi?” I asked, stepping back to let him in. Just seeing him made me happy, and the scent of him, all snow and fresh air, was enough to make my heart skip and my pants get tight.
He entered, leaning on his crutches, and he looked tired. “I was passing by and saw the lights on.”
I headed to the counter, tossed the cloth there, then leaned in place as Chris joined me. “Yeah, Fox is at a sleepover, so I figured I’d finish up trying to fix that bench.”
“And then what, boyfriend?”
