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“There she is!”
Toby took off at a run toward his mother, a huge smile on his face. She rolled a suitcase on wheels behind her and had a duffel slung over her right shoulder and a purse over her left. She looked tired but happy, stopping to catch Toby as he barreled into her.
Seeing Toby so excited after the past couple of days was worth the hassle of rearranging our day to pick up Holly from the train station in Omaha. He’d given up the silent treatment the second I’d told him his mom was coming, too full of questions about where she was staying and for how long to keep quiet.
That had raised a good question—one I was afraid I already knew the answer to. Granville didn’t have any hotels, and even if it did, Holly had never enjoyed staying in one.
I reached the two of them, Toby already chattering to his mom about our house and the renovation work we’d been doing there.
“It was really ugly at first, but it’s starting to get nice!”
She laughed. “Well, that’s good. We can’t have my son living in an ugly house.”
“Hey, you,” I said, reaching out to take her duffel from her. She released the bag with a sigh of relief.
“Hunter,” she said. “I made it.”
“You did,” I said. “I’m proud of you. That’s a long trip.”
“It really is,” she said with a small laugh. “I almost didn’t make it on board.”
Toby frowned, gaze flashing to me for reassurance. I put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “But you wanted to see this guy too much to back out.”
She turned to Toby, a wide smile on her face. “That’s right. I missed you.” She turned back to me, stepping forward for a hug. “I missed you both. You look good, Hunter.”
“Thanks. You too,” I murmured.
Holly had always been beautiful, with dark hair and big eyes that were tough to resist. Stress often turned her face tense and grim, but right now she was glowing with excitement that she’d reached her goal.
Making it here was a big deal for her. She had been an anxious wreck even when traveling with me. A year ago, I would not have expected her to manage a trip like this without a heavy dose of antianxiety medication. But a year ago, she wouldn’t have tried.
“Let’s head to the car,” I suggested, turning toward the exit from the platform where we stood. “I’m sure you’re ready to get settled in.” I wasn’t sure how to phrase what came next. “Did you book a hotel or…”
“No, I was planning to stay with you, silly!” she said with a nervous laugh. “From what Toby says, your house is plenty big.”
Yep, I was afraid of that.
“It’s big, but I wouldn’t say it’s prepared for a guest.”
“Can’t Mom just share with you?” Toby asked.
My stomach twisted uncomfortably. “Absolutely not.”
Her smile faded. “No, of course not. We’re not married anymore, Toby.” She ruffled his hair. “Maybe you can share with your dad instead, hm?”
Toby looked disappointed. “I guess.”
I attempted to lighten my tone for everyone’s sake. “Besides, I don’t think my boyfriend would approve. There’s a day bed in the game room. Toby can sleep in there, and you can take his room. How’s that sound?”
“Okay.” Holly looked confused. “A boyfriend, though? I thought that was just for appearances.”
“They say they’re not faking anymore,” Toby said, his tone sulky.
Holly’s eyebrows shot up so high they disappeared behind her fringe of bangs. “So you’re really….”
“Yes.” I adjusted her duffel on my shoulder, speeding up a little. I was proud to call Clark my boyfriend, but talking about it with my ex-wife wasn’t exactly comfortable, especially when she was giving me a baffled look. “I like him. He likes me. It’s easy.”
She snorted. “Easy. Sure. He’s probably not a high-strung mess like me either, huh? That must be a nice change.”
