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“Plans,” she corrected him. “I have plans.”

“Same thing.”

They looked at each other. For one brief second, she would have sworn his gaze dropped to her mouth. Anticipation swelled up inside of her and she—

“You have a good night,” he said, walking toward the door.

She deflated like a popped balloon. Micah didn’t want her. He considered her a friend, nothing more. She really had to remember that, because if she didn’t, she was going to do something they both would regret, and that was not how she wanted him to remember her.

Chapter Ten

“This is good,” Reggie said, her words creating fog in the cold night air. “If we walk enough, dinner will settle, and then I can eat leftovers.”

Beside her, Toby laughed. “You can’t be hungry. We just ate the equivalent of six meals in a single sitting.”

“Hey, no judging. I’m not hungry now. I’m less stuffed, which is progress.”

He patted his stomach. “It was the second piece of pie that did me in.”

“And you would be a man who appreciates pie in all its forms.”

He chuckled, and she smiled in return.

This was nice, she thought. Comfortable and easy—kind of a trick, considering their past and all the talk about it at the dinner table. Still, she and Toby had worked as a team, deflecting and changing the subject.

“This was a good day,” she said.

“Thanks for inviting us.”

“Thanks for coming. I have no idea what my mother was thinking, asking you to join us, but I’m glad she did.”

“Me, too.”

She kept an eye on Harrison and Belle, who walked in front of them. The boy had a firm grip on the leash—not that Belle ever tried to get away. She didn’t enjoy adventures. In her mind, danger always lurked. Still, it was sweet that he was protective, considering how big she was. Her head was about level with his chest.

“She really likes your son,” Reggie said, watching the Great Dane step a little closer to Harrison.

“She’s a surprisingly sweet girl. She was polite at the table, unlike Burt.”

“He’s a beggar, but he mostly stays by my dad, so it’s less of a problem for the rest of us.”

They arrived at the dog park. It was nearly eight and bitingly cold, so no one else was there. They all went inside the gate. Reggie unclipped Belle, who looked at her doubtfully, as if asking why she would do that.

“Come on, Belle,” Harrison said, running across the park. Belle loped after him, her long strides allowing her to catch up easily.

“She’ll keep an eye on him,” Reggie said.

“Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around?”

“Maybe.”

Reggie wasn’t sure what to make of their post-dinner walk. She had assumed that after cleanup, Toby would collect his family and leave. Instead, when she’d mentioned going to the dog park, he offered to go with her. Harrison had come along, while Judy was visiting with Reggie’s mom.

Now, in the cold night, with the stars twinkling above them, she wondered why he’d wanted to prolong the evening. Not that it mattered—he was good company.

“How does it feel to be back in Wishing Tree?” she asked.

He looked at her. “It’s been over a year, so it doesn’t feel new anymore. This was home before and is home now.” He flashed her a smile. “It is kind of nice to return as a success.”