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“Good morning!” He dove into her embrace, and it was the first time I was jealous of my kid.
Ivy was a second behind. “I never thought you’d make it,” she said dramatically.
Tova laughed. “An eternity has come and gone since we readThe Little Engine That Couldbefore bed last night.”
Ivy hung her head back. “It’s been forever.”
“We have a lot of practice to do,” Grayson said, ever the fifty-year-old in a ten-year-old’s body.
“Well, I wanted to steal your dad for a minute.” She held up a set of keys. “I got the keys to the theater, and I want to inspect it before we meet to rehearse on the stage Thursday.” She lifted her uncertain blue gaze to mine. “I don’t want to go alone, and I—I thought we could talk.”
I was soaking her in, but her words sent a flame of hope bursting over my damn head. I didn’t know what she had to say, but it had to be better than theNo, I’m leavingI got last night.
“You two mind hanging out with the kids while we check out the theater?” I asked Lauri.
She tore her stricken expression off the kids and Tova. “Yes,” she said hoarsely. “That’s fine.”
I met Curtis’s gaze to make sure it was fine with both of them, and he nodded, dropping his gaze and clearing his throat again.
This had to be tough for them. Watching me and the kids move on. I only hoped they’d continue to be a part of the kids’ lives.
And I’d be left wishing Tova would’ve been a part of all our lives.
* * *
Tova
I had my arms wrapped around myself as I walked next to Cody. He looked good. Sexy, as usual, and again in jeans, boots, and a black shirt that should carry a warning sign.Caution: You’re Wet. I yearned to plant a kiss on those pensive lips.
A car passed us, the lady behind the wheel waving. Everyone waved here. She probably knew who I was. Knew Cody’s name. Maybe she was even coming to the performance. From what Thelma said, chatter was spreading through town. The community was delighted to see kids in the theater again.
Proof that my purpose had been misdirected.
Last night, I thought of a little adjustment I wanted to make to the performance. A surprise I hoped the kids could keep secret.
Cody wasn’t talking. Was he waiting for me?
I could go first. I owed it to him. “I thought I was going to interrupt you working.”
“I took the day off.”
“Really?” I asked before remembering I rejected him yesterday and planned to beg forgiveness today. “The entire day?”
He chuckled. “Yes.” His smile vanished. “I had to talk to the kids about moving to town and then break the news to Curtis and Lauri. Their arrival precipitated events.”
“How did the kids take it?”
“So damn happy I’m plagued with eternal guilt.”
I chuckled. He was hard on himself, but that was likely what had molded him into such a good person. “And your in-laws?”
His dry laugh was foreboding. “Shocked. We were discussing the move and Meg when you showed up.”
“Oh my god.” I stopped and faced him. “This isn’t an emergency. Do you need to go back?”
“No. I said what I had to say.” He ran his thumb and forefinger over his lower lip. “Curtis figured us out.”
I would’ve panicked, but Cody’s calmness blew a cool breeze over my nerves. “What did you tell him?”
