I think we can spare ten. Anyway, I guess we need to look for a tree. We’ll be starting from zero. I didn’t bring anything like Christmas decorations.”
“It’s something we can do together,” he said, swinging his feet off her lap. “This game is a downer. Let’s go tree shopping.”
Two blocks down the street, Ted LeBlanc and Kelly Casson were having lunch at the small table in the window overlooking the woods behind her house. Main Street was just that, one main street in the village. There were no side streets off the south side of Main. It was too marshy. Kelly’s house was on a lot that backed up to a creek that dumped into Cypress cove. She could put a canoe into it if she wanted to but hadn’t had the time.
“You have a nice view,” Ted said. “I like how you keep your place.”
“Well, that’s nice to know. It doesn’t always look like this when Danny is home.”
“He’s a tot,” Ted said. “They’re supposed to be messy.”
“Were you messy?”
“Not really. I wasn’t allowed to be.”
“So your mom was a stickler.”
“Not my mom, my nanny. I had my chores to do before I could play. I’m not sure what they were paying her for because I even learned early how to do my own laundry. I still fold everything out of the dryer while it’s hot.”
“Wow, I bet that’s why you always look so polished,” she replied, smiling.
“Do I?” He looked down at his clothes, the same ones he’d worn when he got to her house Saturday evening.
“Well, maybe not today, but yes, you always look spiffy.”
“Are you about done? I’m ready to get our Christmas tree.”
“Oh, is it our tree now?”
“Yes, unless you want to move into my house ten miles out of town. I already have a fake tree up and decorated, but we can get a live one, too. Because we’re living together as of right now. You, Danny and me. A family.”
Kelly got up to clear the dishes, quickly swiping a tear off her cheek. Ted had never shown an interest in Danny before, and now he wanted to include him on an outing. She was going to go with it and not get paranoid. If a guy was interested in her and her kid, then that sounded like a win-win situation.
“Do you want to think about where it would be best for us to live? I know you’d probably be more comfortable close to the clinic.”
“Not necessarily,” he replied. “Let’s take Danny over there for a sleepover one of these nights and see how he likes it. But what about you? Where would you be more comfortable?”
“If I’m going to be at Maggie’s every day, your place would be more convenient. I’d have to take the back trail and jungle cruise part of it, but it’s only about five miles that way.”
“Again, there’s no rush, correct?” Ted asked. “We have all the time in the world.”
“Well, here’s another thought. If I move in with you, my brother and his wife can move in here. They’re expecting, and they currently live over the hardware store in a tiny apartment.”
“There you go. I knew we’d figure it out. You about through? I want to get a tree.”
“Let’s go!”
***
The sun beat down on Amber through an open window, and she woke up in a sweat.
“Wha’?” Looking next to her, Dave Chastain was out cold on his back, snoring with his mouth open.
“Oh god, what the hell did I do?” she mumbled.
Carefully sliding out of bed, she needed time to think before he woke up. Her clothes were neatly folded on her dresser, and that brought back the events of the night. Sober and emotional, they made love shortly after he’d arrived. Then, like idiots, they’d ordered pizza and drank the six-pack he’d brought, along with tequila shots, and after that it was a blur.
“Ugh!”
She closed the bedroom door and tiptoed into the bathroom. A shower would further clarify that she had made the decision that she was going to fall in love with Dave Chastain after he told her he was in love with her.
Next, coffee, and lots of it. She poured a cup and went out on the balcony to drink it. Her view was all woods, bottomland hardwood forests that were fairly dry at that time. Sitting outside without being eaten alive by flying insects was a rarity, and she’d enjoy a moment of peace that morning.
The night had been full of surprises, and