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CHAPTERFIVE
KATIE
It’s officially beeneight days since Noah returned and knocked on my door, and even less since he strolled into the bank. When I saw Gemma at the boutique and told her what happened, I let it be known that he better be glad he left in one piece. I’m harboring a decade full of emotions, so my reactions when he’s around are more than valid.
After Owen and I finish eating lunch, he helps me clean up, then goes to his room.
As I wash the dishes and wipe down the counter, my mind wanders back to the past several years and how strong I’ve had to be. Juggling work, my son, and paying for everything. Anything I need, I do my damn self. Sometimes I resent Gabe for cheating and leaving me to do everything on my own, but then I feel guilty as hell about it because of the way he died.
Grief is weird and makes you second-guess your feelings. I loved Gabe, but once I got pregnant, things shifted between us. He didn’t look at me with the same twinkle in his eye. Instead of dealing with it, I ignored it. I’d made up my mind I’d figure it out after the baby was born.
I honestly feel as if I’m broken, and I’m meant to be single for the rest of my life. Most days, I’m okay with it. At thirty-one, I live in a small town where everyone knows my business and am in the process of remodeling an old house, all while trying to give Owen the best life that I possibly can. It makes dating nearly impossible, so I gave up on it years ago.
After the kitchen’s cleaned, I vacuum and try to pick up the house before tomorrow. Heading to Owen’s room, I find him lying on his bed listening to music.
“Laundry time,” I tell him, and he immediately huffs. I lift an eyebrow in warning because this is our Sunday tradition. He puts his tablet on the bed and opens his closet door. Clothes are halfway off the hangers, socks litter the floor, and shoes are stacked on top of each other. Owen grabs a few shirts he had stuffed in the corner.
“This is it?” I ask as he hands me hardly anything. “What about everything you wore all week to school? Your basketball uniforms?”
“Mom,” he whines, and I step around him, looking for myself.
I give him a smile. “I’m going to put these in the wash, and I need you to bring me the rest. Got it?”
He nods, and I walk away. I’m certain he’s back to stuffing things under his bed because he knows how I feel about things being on the floor. I might not be able to give him everything, but the least I can do is teach him how to clean up after himself. I’m raising a gentleman who will eventually make some woman happy and treat her like a queen.
As I’m in the laundry room, Owen enters with a full basket, grinning sheepishly. “I found them.”
“Mm-hmm, interesting. Where were they?”
He laughs before he walks away. Raising a boy has been...anexperience.
As soon as I start the washer, my cell phone rings, and I see it’s Loretta.
“Hey, sweetie! Happy Valentine's Day!” she says.
“Same to you.”
Even though it’s Sunday and I typically work at the house, I spend every Valentine’s Day with Owen no matter what. It’s been our tradition since he was born.
“I was wondering if we could stop by this afternoon. We got Owen some Valentine’s gifts.”
I blow out a laugh. “How much candy?”
“Honey, you know how it is. Just have to spoil my grandson.”
“Loretta,” I say, smiling. “We’ll be here. Feel free to stop by anytime you’d like. Not too late, though, because he’ll be bouncing off the walls after eating the sugar.”
“Great! We’ll be there within the hour. See you soon.”
I end the call, and Owen walks into the living room. “Was that Mimi and Pawpaw?”
I nod. “Yes, it was. They’re gonna stop by and see you today.”
“Yay!” he squeals. He loves Gabe’s parents so much, and I’m lucky they’ve stayed a part of Owen’s life. They faithfully support me, and I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done without them, my parents, or my friends.
Within thirty minutes, a knock rings out on the door. Owen hurries and answers it. As soon as he sees his grandparents, he squeezes Loretta tight. Elliot enters behind her, carrying a red bag with a heart on it.
Owen’s hopping from foot to foot as Loretta hugs me.
