"Almost, Papi!"
I thought about how Mia lit up when Ken was around. How he always made time for her, listening to her stories with genuine interest. He'd been so patient with her, so caring.
Maybe it was time to be brave. To take a chance on happiness, even if it scared the hell out of me. Because the truth was, I liked the person I was becoming here in Blanco Springs. And a big part of that was because of Ken.
Maybe it was all possible if I took things one step at a time. Starting small with local clients for the landscaping business while building trust and understanding with Ken, moving at a timeframe that worked for him.
Not rushing into anything but allowing things to unfold naturally.
Dreams might take time, but they also took action. Today felt like as good a day as any to plant seeds for both. But first, Ken and I needed to talk. I needed to tell him how I felt. Ask him if he wanted to give this—whatever it was between us—a real shot.
Taking a deep breath, I reached for my phone.
Hey, can we talk about this morning?
I typed and deleted the message three times before finally pressing send. As soon as the message left my phone, that familiar anxiety hit, my heart pounding in my chest as I waited for his response.
When my phone buzzed, I snatched it up, my eyes scanning the screen.
Yeah that’s probably a good idea.
Can you come over after Mia’s asleep?
Sure
Text me when she's in bed.
A wave of relief washed over me. The thought of seeing Ken, of being alone with him and finally addressing what was happening between us, settled something inside me.
As I set my phone down, I realized that my future held so much more than just nurturing plants and creating beautiful spaces.
It also held the promise of love and companionship, of sharing my life with someone who understood and appreciated my passions in a way that Jacob never could.
And as uncertain as I was about what would come next, part of me hoped Ken was that person for me.
An hour later, I gently tucked Mia into bed, her damp hair carrying the soothing trace of lavender and chamomile. Her eyelids drooped, her small body sinking into her mattress as exhaustion from the day’s events caught up with her. I leaned down, my lips brushing against her forehead in a tender kiss. “Sleep tight,princesa,” I whispered.
Mia’s eyes fluttered open briefly, her gaze heavy with sleep as a wide yawn escaped her lips. “Can we have pancakes tomorrow?” she asked, her voice filled with sleep and childlike hope.
Mia’s request, so simple and pure. In that moment, the chaos and uncertainty of the world fell away, and all that mattered was her love and trust in me. I’d give anything to keep her safe and happy. “A whole giant stack of pancakes, taller than you,” I promised, brushing a stray curl off her forehead.
As the light dimmed and her door clicked shut, quiet filled the hallway. I took a deep breath. Just thinking about seeing Ken made my heart ache with this powerful need.
Finally, we’d have the chance to lay our cards on the table and say what was in our hearts.
I pulled out my phone, the screen illuminating my face in the dimly lit hallway. My fingers hovered over the keys, a thousand what-ifs swirling through my mind. Was this the right thing to do? What if it complicated things for Mia? What if Ken changed his mind? I needed to know where we stood, and more importantly, where we could go.
I typed out a message to Ken.
Come over whenever you can. I’ll be in the backyard.
Gate is on the right side of the house.
The words stared back at me—a simple invitation, but so much more than that. I slipped the phone back into my pocket, then headed to the backyard to get ready for this conversation.
One of the main reasons I had chosen this rental house was the oversized lot, with its backyard filled with majestic oak trees that created a canopy of dappled shade over most of the yard. Yetthere was still a generous patch of sunlight on the left side where I had planted my spring garden—tomatoes, peppers, and herbs—already sprouting.
I spread a thick quilt under the oak tree. From this spot I had a clear view of the backdoor, so I could keep an eye out for Mia in case she woke up and needed me while the tree’s broad trunk created a natural barrier against any nosy neighbor who might peek over the back fence.
