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“It’s almost two thousand miles.”
“Is that a lot?”
“Sure is. Here, let’s count off a mile, starting now. I’ll let you know when we’ve gone a mile.” She drove the car along the winding mountain road that led to town. “Right… now. That was a mile, and your dad and Lexi had to drive two thousand of them. You see why it’s taking so long?”
“I guess so.”
Molly glanced at him in the mirror and saw that he was looking out the window, a contemplative expression on his cute little face. He reminded her so much of his father at the same age, and since Max had been her last baby, he, too, held a special place in her heart. She so admired the way he’d stepped up as a full-time father. He’d done such a beautiful job raising his son, and she was thrilled to see him getting some much-deserved personal happiness with Lexi.
They parked behind the store and crossed Elm Street holding hands on the way to the diner.
Molly knew the days were numbered in which Caden would want to hold hands with his grandmother in public, so she was enjoying every minute while she could.
Megan greeted them with a smile and a wave from the other end of the restaurant as they slid into a booth.
“What do you feel like?” Molly asked.
“My usual.”
“A boy cannot live on chicken nuggets alone.”
Caden flashed a grin that was all Max. “He can sure try.”
“Haha,” Molly said.
Megan came over to take their order. “Nice to see you guys.”
“You, too,” Molly said. “Are you still floating over finishing your book?”
“I can’t believe it’s done. It took years.”
“We’re all so proud of you.”
“Thanks, Molly. What can I get you guys?”
Molly ordered a grilled cheese, while Caden asked for his usual.
“Coming right up,” she said.
While they waited for the food, Molly withdrew the art supplies and paper she’d tucked into her purse and put them on the table. She pushed the paper toward Caden. “I was thinking you should make a welcome-home card for your dad and Lexi.”
“Does it have to include her? Couldn’t it just be for Dad?”
Molly had suspected he might say that, thus the reason she’d invited him to lunch. “Your dad really cares about her a lot. He has since he was just a little bit older than you are now. If she hadn’t gotten sick, they probably would’ve gotten married, and you wouldn’t be here.”
“How come?” he asked, his blond brows furrowing in confusion.
“Your dad never would’ve dated your mom if he was with Lexi.”
“Oh.”
“I want you to do something for me.”
“What?”
“I want you to think about what your dad has done for you since you were a baby. Other than the time he’s at work, he’s been with you. He hasn’t had much time for a life of his own that doesn’t include you, which was fine with him because he loves you so much. But now, he has a chance to have youandLexi, which will make him even happier than he already is. Don’t you want that for him?”
“I do, but…”
