Chance Encounter - Jerry Cole Page 0,39

and me. Jackson was in Florida. I helped in the kitchen while Amy played with the baby.

“I got a check in the mail. Something from Ava’s dad. I thought he signed her away.” She was chopping veggies for a salad. I glanced at her as I crusted the pie.

“I don’t know. Maybe he grew a heart, and it is support,” I suggested as Mari brushed some peppers into the lettuce.

“It’s more like life insurance or something, based on the amount. I guess we’ll have to tell her that both parents are dead. I knew she didn’t have much of a dad, to begin with, but what are the odds that he’d be gone, too?” Mari sighed. “We’re putting it into a college fund for her. If we start early, we might be able to send her somewhere.”

“You both are great parents. Ava couldn’t be any better off.” I glanced into the living room to see Amy holding Ava’s tiny hands as she wobbled across the floor. “She’s going to be walking soon.”

“I’ll get nothing done. She’s ridiculous crawling.” Mari smiled as she complained, telling me that she couldn’t wait. “Think we’ll have to get a tabletop tree this year at Christmas?”

“I think she listens well for a kid her age. She’ll leave it alone once you tell her to a million times. I might avoid glass ornaments, though, if I were you.” We both laughed. I turned to check the meat on the indoor grill, seeing that they were perfect. I plated them and checked the large baked potatoes in the oven, finding them done. “We are just about ready. Want some help with the salad?”

“I’m done. Good timing,” Mari said as she began to toss the lettuce and veggies together. I grabbed the bottle of wine, carrying it to the table before I pulled the potatoes from the oven. We plated the meat and potatoes, telling Amy it was time to eat as she picked up Ava.

She was secured in her highchair, and we prepared our plates. Mari kept aside some of hers, giving the baby small bits of meat and potato. She also gave her some soft bites of carrot and a bottle, and dinner was on.

I felt bad hiding the truth from Mari about Ryan. She didn’t indicate that she knew who he was, only that she got a substantial amount of money from Ava’s dad. The truth was too much for her to take, and I listened as she talked with Amy about something light.

“Gray?” I blinked as the girls stared at me. “Is the pie in the oven?”

“Sh-no. I forgot. Let me get that in there.” I moved to turn on the oven, taking the time to regain my composure.

“Where were you? I asked a few times,” Mari called out as I walked back to the table.

“No clue. I have a lot of clients right now. My mind is always going.” I grinned, and she sipped her wine.

“Who knew that life would get so crazy?” Mari asked as she watched Ava eat a chunk of carrot. “Good girl. Finish what’s on your tray, and I’ll give you some apples.”

“Here she goes, bribing her baby.” I shook my head as we all laughed. “It’s the beginning of the end.”

“I don’t need to bribe that one to eat.” Mari laughed. We finished eating, cleaning up in the kitchen before sitting in the living room with the baby. She sat on my lap, finishing her bottle as the girls planned her birthday. It was going to be held at Gram’s with just family, but Mari wanted to decorate it up in pink and purple. Ava smiled at me, turning around to meet my eyes as I bopped her nose with my finger.

I imagined sitting with Hayden in our apartment, holding our baby. We both loved Ava. But having a baby with Hayden was on my mind more and more.

I headed home just before he arrived home, carrying two plates of food. I entered the apartment to place everything in the fridge, getting a beer as I looked around. It was clean enough after I worked most of the day, but Hayden didn’t care too much about that. If he did, he didn’t say so. I heard the door open, smiling as he walked in. Becca called out a hello before she went upstairs, and I told her to have a good night. “How was work?”

“Busy. They’ve added another senior night. If I weren’t in the play, I’d be