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"I took mine off all by myself, didn't I, Zach?" Dylan said, looking up at him.
"Sure did, and Noah almost did. I'm sure the next one he'll have it off, no problem."
“Sure will.”
I smiled but said nothing. This wasn't good. I'd introduced my boys to this man, let him in, and now, because of the information his daughter gave me, I was sure I was going to have to end things. I knew immediately that it would break their hearts if I told them we wouldn’t be seeing him again.
When I met Zach’s eyes, he immediately noticed the lack of happiness on my face and frowned.
“Boys, get those fish back in the water and cast out again. See what else you can catch, okay?”
They did as they were told, and Zach left them, making his way over to me. He guided me over to the closest picnic table and we both sat down away from the kids.
"Iris, what is it?" he questioned.“You don’t look very good. Are you feeling okay?”
I shook my head. There was no way I could explain right now. I was too upset, and as I glanced over at where Grace was playing, I noticed she was watching us with a slight frown on her face, trying to hang on to every word we shared.
"Nothing. I think I'm just tired. It was an early morning, and all this fresh air has done me in," I lied.
"Are you sure? You look a little pale. You sure you are feeling alright?"he questioned, worry lining his face.
I nodded. "Yes. Like I said, just tired."
Grace smiled and looked down at what she was working on. No doubt she was happy that she had made me feel this way, but I still wasn't about to say anything to Zach.
"I think I am just going to get the boys and head on home."
Zach looked over at where they were fishing and then at Grace. When I glanced in her direction, she smirked, and when I met his eyes, I knew he knew something had happened. I was sure of it, but instead of making a scene, he just asked if he could help me take things to the car.
I nodded, and together we grabbed the picnic basket, blanket, and bag of toys and headed toward my car. He didn’t ask me anything while we were by the car. Instead, he took my hand in his and walked me back over to the boys.
"Guys, I think it's time we head home,"I called.
"Awww, Mom!" Noah cried.“I just felt a nibble.”
"Yeah, Mom, we were just getting the hang of this fishing thing. Can't we stay longer and hang out with Zach?" Dylan asked, watching his bobber float on the water.
"No, I'm afraid not. Come on, bring your lines in."
Reluctantly and with sad faces, they reeled their lines in and hooked their hooks the way Zach had shown them earlier in the day. I'd turned around in time to see Zach grab Gracie and pick her up, and the five of us walked toward the car. The boys were talking Zach's ear off, which at one point would have made me so happy, but now all I could do was worry about their reaction when I told them we wouldn’t be seeing him anymore.
Once we got all the kids into our vehicles, Zach stood and met me at the back of my car. "You’re sure you’re okay? I can bring over some dinner later if you’d like."
I nodded, averting my eyes from his.“I’m fine. I think I’ll just heat up some soup and try to get to bed early.”
I knew Zach was trying to read me, but I just looked away from him. I wanted to tell him what had happened, because if it were reversed, I’d want to know. Yet as I stood there, all I could think about was what if he didn’t believe me? What if he took his daughter’s side over mine? I really wouldn’t expect anything less, and when I glanced up and saw the boys watching us out the back window, I was angry at myself for allowing today to happen.
"Is it okay if I message you later?"
"I have things to do tonight. Get lunches ready and, of course, dinner. So, if I don't respond right away, don't worry. I’ll message you once I sit down for the night,"I said, pressing my lips to his cheek.
Zach
Gracie and I waited until Iris and the boys had pulled out of the parking lot and were out of sight before we left. I couldn’t figure out what had caused such a shift in Iris's attitude. Whatever it was, I hoped it wasn't anything I’d done.
I pulled the truck out of the parking lot and started making my way through Willow Valley. We were halfway home when I looked over at Grace, who had been oddly quiet since I'd caught her with the second can of pop.
"You have fun today?" I questioned, my eyes on the road.
