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ChapterTwenty-Four
BEN
After showing Brooke the house I was interested in, we got much-needed alone time, but she seemed off. Maybe she was worried about the business. She’d mentioned that sales had been down.
I hadn’t lied when I said we should work on a way to coexist in the same town. I didn’t want to compete with her anymore. I wanted to support her and her store. The question was how.
Her store was closed for a few days to complete the face-lift. I hated that she needed to spend money on renovations because of me. Her business had been doing fine until mine opened. I was the reason she was stressed and possibly stretched financially. It didn’t sit right with me.
Her store being closed meant she could come to Cammie’s game, though. Having her by my side felt good.
After the last inning and the teams slapped hands, Cammie came over to me, her face screwed up. “I wasn’t picked for the all-star team.”
“I’m sorry, sweetie.” I kind of expected it, but I didn’t realize how upset she’d be. “It’s only your first year.”
Hunter ran up to Abby. “I’m an all-star!”
“That’s amazing, buddy,” Abby said.
Cammie’s shoulders slumped.
Brooke ruffled Hunter’s hair. “Congratulations.”
“Why wasn’t I picked?” Cammie asked.
I crouched down to her level. “It’s only your first year. You’re just learning.”
Cammie’s shoulders squared. “I’m good at baseball.”
She was determined, but she wasn’t the best by any stretch of the imagination.
“Hunter’s a really good pitcher.” He’d improved over the season, and coaches were commenting on his pitching and ability to throw strikes. Most kids’ tosses were still kind of wild, or they lobbed the ball.
Cammie’s eyes flashed with anger. “If you were home, we could practice more.”
I didn’t think it would have made a difference, but the familiar guilt grabbed on and squeezed.
“You promised when we moved here that you’d have more time to spend with me.” Her tone had reverted to a whine.
I had promised that. My heart contracted painfully.
“But you work even more than you did before.”
My jaw tightened, sending a sharp pain through my face. “You know that’s not true. Mornings are our special time.”
She placed her hands on her hips. “Other parents are home at night.”
“I have to work evenings and weekends. I don’t like it, but I make other time to spend with Hunter,” Abby said.
That was the exception. Most parents worked a nine-to-five or even worked from home so that they were more available to their kids.
“I’m doing my best. I’m sorry you feel this way.” What could I say? That I was looking at the bigger picture when the business was profitable, and I could hire managers and employees to run it so I could be home more often? I wanted ease, but it took hard work to get to that place. She was seven. She only understood that I wasn’t there now.
Cammie gave me one more disgusted look before stomping to the bench to gather her things.
“I’m sorry,” Brooke said, moving closer.
“She’s right.” My expression was grim.
