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Fifteen
Emery
Two weeks had gone by since the camping trip. Football was almost done, and the kids came home from school every day talking about what they were going to be for Halloween.
It was almost October, but time was flying by. The kids were supposed to be picked up by their dad tonight, and I had plans with Holden. If Henry flaked, then Holden would bring pizza over and we’d all watch a movie. Either way, I was excited about tonight.
When I wrapped up at work, I had a message from Henry to call him.
Looked like it was a pizza and movie night. I called him back when I got into my car.
He answered with a pleasant, “Hey, Emery. I’m really sorry, but a surgery went late and pushed my cases today back. Would you be able to bring the kids down? Otherwise, I’ll get home late and then have to drive. My night with them would be shot.”
I didn’t ponder whether he was being purposely difficult. Since he was actually talking about wanting to spend time with the kids, I was willing to help. I’d have to let Holden know about the change of plans.
“I can do that. What time should I get them there?”
“Seven should work. I’ll clean up at the hospital and maybe pick up some pizza. I really appreciate it.”
I would’ve given the phone a side-eye if it wasn’t up to my ear. He was nice, almost apologetic. Was he going to ask me to go to Bismarck on Sunday too? Or was he planning to drop out by Saturday? “No problem. Football Saturday still okay?”
“Yeah, no problem.”
Did Henry want something he knew would upset me? I didn’t know, but I wouldn’t waste time being suspicious. “See you then.”
I sent Holden a message. Like me, he’d be disappointed, but I didn’t think he’d have an issue otherwise.
He’d called back by the time I reached the house. When I answered, he said, “Want me to come with? We can eat somewhere in Bismarck.”
Ooh, an out-of-town date night. I liked Rattler’s, but there were so many places in Bismarck I hadn’t gotten to eat when I’d lived there. Having little kids or no time had limited us. “We’ll leave in an hour.”
“I’ll be there.”
I was grinning when I darted inside. Mom was in the kitchen, feeding the kids a snack. Her brows lifted as if she expected Henry to drop the weekend again.
“Change of plans, guys. I’m taking you to your dad’s because he has to work late. Holden’s riding along, if that’s okay.”
The news went over relatively well like I expected, thanks to Holden’s presence. The kids enjoyed hanging out with him. Mom helped me get the kids ready. When Holden arrived, he loaded their bags into my car.
The drive was quick with his company. When I pulled up in front of Henry’s house, Holden gave a low whistle under his breath. The place wasn’t the million-dollar home Henry and I had bought after he got his current position, but it was still a large place. Two stories with a basement. Instead of being by the river, he was in a nice neighborhood surrounded by other half-million-dollar houses.
But then, he could get the financing when I absorbed half his debt and got screwed with child support.
“Little larger than my place, right?” I said loud enough for only him to hear and keeping the residual bitterness out of my voice. “Mind waiting here?”
I didn’t want to add to the animosity between Henry and me by having Holden walk with everyone to the door. I knew how seeing Jenni made me feel even though I was over Henry.
“Not at all.” He turned his head to speak to the kids who were in various stages of unbuckling and gathering their things. “Have a good weekend.”
They piled out, telling Holden bye, and grabbed their luggage. The garage door had been opened by the time we reached the house. Henry waited by the door to the house. The older three kids gave him a quick hug and filed through the door inside to the mudroom. I approached, holding Riley.
One by one, each kid darted back and hugged me. Riley’s arms were hooked around my neck.
“You’re going to have fun at Daddy’s.” I didn’t go inside. If Riley started crying, it might increase any underlying tension. I knew she loved Henry, but if she was comfortable with him, it’d be easier on all of us.
Jenni’s voice instructing the kids where to put their stuff trailed after Henry as he stepped into the garage. He wore simple jeans and a UND hoodie. The dark circles under his eyes were new. They took the sting off the giant Suburban behind me and Jenni’s sporty car that couldn’t fit more than two of the kids. His haggard appearance helped me ignore that his garage had almost as much square footage as the first floor of my house.
“Hey, curly girl.” He held his arms out, and she whined and burrowed into my arms. His smile fell.
