his glass. “No offense, but your gender is complicated.”
“Yes, we are, but we also smell nice.”
He chuckled. “You do.” He stretched his arm along the back of the sofa and rested his fingers on her shoulder. “Change of subject?”
She nodded, shifting closer.
“How are you doing on the Thanksgiving prep work? I’d like to help.”
“Thanks, but I’m in good shape. I did my last-minute shopping this morning before I went to work, the turkey is sitting in the refrigerator and I’ve already put out the Thanksgiving decorations.”
“You’re prepared. I’m going to make Waldorf salad. I hope that’s okay.”
“We can always use another side.”
“It’s a thing. I made it every year for Joylyn and brought it over to her mom’s for dinner.”
And there it was. Niceness. Genuine caring. Even if she didn’t think he was hot and a really great kisser, he was winning her over with stories like that.
“What did Sandy think of having Thanksgiving with her stepdaughter’s mother?”
“It wasn’t her favorite. She wanted her own traditions. To be fair, she was happy to include Joylyn, but I didn’t want to make Joylyn have to split her time between her mom and me. Not on Thanksgiving.” He drew in a breath. “I guess I wasn’t always a great husband.”
“Maybe not, but you were a terrific dad.”
“Thanks. Tell that to Joylyn.”
“I will.”
Instead of smiling, he grew more pensive. “She has a doctor’s appointment tomorrow. I was thinking I’d take off work and go with her.” He held up a hand. “I’m not talking about going in the room or anything. I just want to be there because it’s a new doctor and she’s eight months pregnant.”
“That’s a great idea,” she told him, wondering how Joylyn would react. “I’m sure she doesn’t want to go by herself.” But having her dad along might be too much for her. “Do you want me to go with her instead?” She shook her head. “I’m not trying to butt in, I’m just wondering if having another woman there would be easier for her.”
“I hadn’t thought of that, but you can’t take off work.”
“I can. We’re not very busy right now, and it’s only a couple of hours. I’m happy to do it.”
“Thank you. I think it might be easier for her to have you there rather than me. If we were tight again, it would be different.”
He looked so sad as he spoke that she reacted without thinking. She slid close and wrapped her arms around him.
“You two are going to figure this out.”
He hugged her back. “I hope so.”
“Don’t give up on her. She needs to know that you can’t be pushed away by her attitude.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
As he spoke, he leaned close and pressed his mouth to hers. She relaxed into the kiss, liking the feel of his lips on hers.
Wanting flickered to life, but she ignored the need. With Hunter playing video games just down the hall, nothing more was going to happen, but just kissing was nice.
He moved back and forth a little, but didn’t deepen the kiss, as if he, too, knew the limitations of the night. When he drew back, he smiled at her.
“I thought it was supposed to be easier when kids got older.”
“I wish.”
He stared into her eyes. “Me, too.”
And for now, that was enough.
* * *
JOYLYN SAT IN the backyard watching butterflies drift from one flowering bush to another. She supposed that in other parts of the country, people were bracing to deal with subfreezing temperatures and snow, but in the desert southwest, there were still flowers and butterflies.
She told herself she had to get moving, that not showing up for her doctor’s appointment was a dumb move. And being scared because the doctor was new to her didn’t make any sense, either. She was eight months pregnant—she needed to be seen by a medical professional.
Brushing away tears, she stood and walked into the house. She peed, then got her handbag and was halfway to the front door when the doorbell rang.
“Oh, hi,” she said, surprised to see Wynn on the porch. “What’s up?”
“I’m here to make an offer,” Wynn told her. “Feel free to say no. Your dad told me about your doctor’s appointment this morning. I would imagine you’re not excited about seeing someone new when you’re so far along. If you think it would help, I’m happy to go with you. Not into the room or anything, but just on the drive and in the waiting room. For moral support.”
The unexpected act of