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“I don’t usually tell women until a few dates in,” he said.“So I hadn’t told Lauren about Tommy yet.I wasn’t supposed to have him this weekend, but my ex-wife wanted to go on a last-minute trip.So I went to Carter’s Cove to pick him up.We went to the skate park so he could show me some of his new tricks, and he fell.Hurt his arm.”
Joy’s maternal instincts started to kick in, but she held her ground.She said nothing as she nodded a single time.Men like Blake needed to know they couldn’t just smile and apologize and everything would magically be okay.In Joy’s world, that wasn’t how things worked.
She told herself he wasn’t her ex-husband, and just the thought that her husband, whom she’d loved, was no longer hers sent a spike of pain into her heart.She’d told the other ladies she wanted a hot summer boyfriend, but that wasn’t true.She wasn’t really ready for another romance.A fling, maybe, but Joy had never been into short-term relationships.
“He’s deathly afraid of needles.Like,deathlyafraid.Like nothing you’ve ever seen before.The first time Lauren called, I was actually laying on top of Tommy, holding him down so he didn’t punch and kick the nurses.The kid is wiry, but strong.And six feet tall.”He put a smile on his face.“The second time she called, I was on the phone with Jacinda, who was in full panic mode and telling me she was going to fly home from Grand Cayman.”
It sounded like he had some high-stress people in his life, and last night had been extremely difficult for him.Lauren would surely understand that.Joy knew she liked this man; Joy had seen her face while she’d been texting him yesterday afternoon to set up their date.
“After that,” Blake said.“It was too late.I was too tired.My son had gotten some meds and he was finally sleeping.”He sighed like he’d like to be sleeping right now too.“I fell asleep in the chair, and when the nurse came in again, it was twelve-thirty.I did text her this morning to try to talk to her.”
“I saw the texts,” Joy told him.Lauren had shown her, and they’d brainstormed about what to do.Lauren wasn’t a very forgiving person in general, but Joy didn’t tell Blake that.He’d find out soon enough.Or maybe he wouldn’t.“Is your son okay?He’s home?”
“Yes,” Blake said.“No broken bones.Some sprained or stretched ligaments or whatever.He’s in a sling.Can’t do his swimming lessons next week, but the doctor did say we could still do the campout if he doesn’t have to strain his shoulder.”He flashed a smile, and Joy returned it.
For her personally, a single dad would be a turn-on.For Lauren…she wasn’t sure.She knew Lauren wanted children, but Tommy sounded a lot older than a baby or a toddler.“How old is your son?”she asked.
“Twelve,” Blake said.He glanced at his wrist.“I’m afraid I can’t stay much longer.I wandered all over the blasted beach looking for her already, and I’ve been gone too long as it is.”He looked up.“You’ll tell her?”
“Yes,” Joy said.“I’ll tell her.”
Blake rushed at her and gathered her into a hug.“Thank you, Joy.”He stepped back and cleared his throat.“Will you tell her I’m really sorry?That if she’ll give me another chance, I’ll make it up to her ten-fold?”
Joy looked up into his face.“You really like her, don’t you?”
“I’m intrigued by her,” he said.“I’mveryinterested in getting to know her better.It’s hard to say if I ‘really like’ her, because we haven’t spent a lot of time together.”He backed up a step and added, “I love talking to her via text, but I’d love to see her in person before she leaves.If at all possible.”
Joy nodded, because he clearly didn’t know Lauren was coming back next weekend, and to stay for longer than a few days too.Joy had seriously considered coming with her, but it felt like such a tagalong thing to do, and Joy didn’t want to be that friend.
She’d miss Lauren terribly, because while she could cook, she wasn’t anywhere near the caliber of Sage and Bessie, and their talk of canning, recipes, and substitutions bored her sometimes.
“Thanks, Joy.”Blake retreated to his SUV, got in, and drove away.Joy turned around and went back inside Harrison’s house.She very nearly collided with Oliver Blackhurst.She planted both hands against his chest to steady herself, and Oliver grabbed onto her wrist.
“Sorry,” he said to her, obviously barely seeing her.He had his phone pressed to his ear, and he said, “No, not you.I just ran into someone.”He went outside, his voice growing frustrated, and Joy watched him go.
“Someone,” she said out loud.Oliver knew her name.They’d talked several times tonight.She found him good-looking and charming, even if he had a loud voice and could out-boom anyone with his laughter.
He’d barely seen her, and Joy hated feeling invisible.She’d felt like this a lot lately, and she turned toward the back of the house as the door there opened and the noise level of music, chatter, and laughter increased.
Lauren entered the house, looking like she was ready to try again with Blake right now.“So?”she asked, hurrying toward Joy.“What did he say?”
Joy’s chest stung, but she loved Lauren, and she didn’t think Blake had been cruel or mean on purpose.“Okay, so I think you’re going to want to text or call him,” she said.“Let’s sit down and I’ll tell you everything.”
She’d barely started the story when Bessie and Sage joined them, and that brought in Cass and Bea too.Soon, Joy finished the story, and they all looked at Lauren, as it was clearly her turn to smack the ball back to Joy.
“You should call him,” Bea said.“Blake’s a nice guy.”
“He didn’t tell her about his son,” Bessie said.
“But for a good reason,” Cass said.“He probably feels protective of him.”
“Or women break up with him once they find out,” Lauren said.She looked at Joy.“He didn’t say anything else about his son?Is he a lot of trouble or something?”
Joy thought for a moment.“He just said he’s deathly afraid of needles.Wiry but strong.Over six feet tall.”He hadn’t sounded like he had special needs or caused trouble on purpose to her.
Lauren nodded.“Okay, I think I’ll call him in the morning.”She smiled around at everyone.“Does that sound good?”
No one argued, and Bea and Cass went into the kitchen to brew coffee.Bessie met Joy’s eyes, and she raised her eyebrows.Bessie wouldn’t say anything though.
