for us?”
“Of course! You know I’d love to do that for you. Text me the dates and I’ll have some numbers for you by tomorrow.”
“You are the best!” she gushed. “So how’s business? I know you said it’s been busy, but I hope you’re taking some time for yourself and not overdoing it.”
“Kate, I work from home in my pajamas most days. Trust me, I’m not overdoing it.”
“Still, I worry about you.”
I’m glad someone does…
“I’m thinking of not doing daycare anymore.”
“What?!”
“Yeah, like I said, Ben’s just struggling with a schedule right now, and I’m exhausted. I seriously underestimated how much having a second child would affect our lives. And even with Brian being home, he’s got to go to work and needs his sleep too. I just think it’s best for us as a family for me to let the daycare go.”
“But…what about the families? I mean, I know some of them found other options, but…what about…you know…?”
“Hunter?”
Dammit. “Yeah. Have you talked to him about it? Could you maybe just handle having Eli?”
“It’s too soon. Believe me, I am agonizing over it. Brian’s over at Hunter’s now talking to him because I’m too much of a chicken to do it.”
“Obviously there are other daycares in town. I’m sure he’ll find something.”
“Yeah, I’m sure he will, but…with his schedule, it’s harder. His siblings will help out, but I hate it for Eli.”
Me too…
“Anyway, I won’t bore you with my tales of woe,” Katie said with a sigh. “I hear Kira getting up from her nap so I need to go. I’ll get those dates over to you, and I want you to give us a quote that includes everything you think we’ll enjoy. Brian says not to worry about the budget so go deluxe for us!”
“I’m already thinking of the perfect place! I’ll email you tomorrow.”
“Thank you! Talk to you later!”
When they hung up, Violet stared at her computer and decided she needed something to eat since she worked through lunch. Once she ate, she’d work on Katie’s trip and wished she had one planned for herself. She thought about the California trip she had considered back when she and Hunter first started dating. Maybe what she needed was a little time away to get out of this funk so she could stop thinking about and missing Hunter.
The more she thought about it, the more excited she got. A good road trip through some of the most beautiful cities and towns in California would be a great way to escape for a little while and to help her regroup a bit. The urge to start pulling up some websites immediately was strong, but her growling stomach was stronger.
“Fine! Food first and then I’m going to plan the most epic road trip California has ever seen!” she said as she walked to the kitchen to make herself a sandwich.
And tried to push away the thoughts of how she wished she had someone to take the epic road trip with her.
It was after midnight, and Hunter was still wide awake and staring at the ceiling.
Which had kind of become the norm for him lately.
He wasn’t sleeping well, he had no appetite, and he was working himself to death around the house while trying to still have plenty of quality time with his son. The deck was done, he built a jungle gym, and had done some major landscaping around the perimeter of the yard. And yet no matter how much he exhausted himself, whenever he climbed into bed at the end of the day, he couldn’t fall asleep.
It didn’t seem possible that one person could leave such a big hole in his life when she’d only been a part of it for such a short time. It didn’t seem logical or practical–two things that ruled his life–and yet…he missed Violet so damn much he felt like he could barely breathe. His whole life was turned upside down and in chaos and he couldn’t seem to control or fix any of it.
It was maddening.
When Brian had come by earlier and told him how Katie wasn’t sure she’d be doing daycare anymore, it had been just one more thing to add to the list of what was beyond his control. He still had another month of leave from the department, so he knew there was plenty of time for him to find a new daycare for Eli. His friend had worried that he’d be pissed or angry at Katie for changing her mind, but he