Hard Knox - Riley Hart Page 0,77

guts to do that. A lot of us walk away, steer clear of stuff we’re terrified of. It’s easier not to put ourselves out there so we don’t have to risk the pain. You’ve always been braver than me, though.”

“What are you afraid of, Mama?”

She waved her hand dismissively, as if I was being foolish. “Nothin’. I’m just an old lady rambling.”

“That’s not true. You know, trust is a two-way street. Whatever it is, whatever it always has been—and I’m ashamed to admit I didn’t realize it was something until moving here—you can tell me.”

Mom’s chin quivered, but she brushed it off, shook her head like she wasn’t close to crying. “You always did have an active imagination. Now, are you going to teach me how to make these enchiladas or what? Then maybe we can watch a movie together.”

I was silent a moment, hoping she would look at me, hoping she would open up, but she didn’t. And I couldn’t push. I was a big believer in letting people talk when they were ready. “Yeah, Mama. I’d like that. And I’m always here for you.”

“I know,” she said softly, which was the first time she’d admitted in any way that there was something to tell.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Knox

“Who wants pancakes for breakfast?” I asked.

Logan was sitting in a chair at the table, a book beside him. My Charlie-girl was on her knees on another chair, waving wildly. “I do! I do!”

Logan said, “We should have some kind of protein with it. That’s what Callum says, even if it’s something like yogurt.” He still wasn’t big on vegetables, but I loved that he was taking after Callum in some ways and starting to think about eating right.

“Good point. Hmm, let me see what we have.” I was hoping this would be a good lead-in for me to start speaking about Callum. The kids had been home a few days now, and we hadn’t seen each other. I’d taken some time off work to be with the kids. I wanted to give it a little while just the three of us before I introduced Cal to Charlie.

“You talk about him a lot,” she told Logan.

“That’s because he’s my friend, buttface. He’s Dad’s friend too.”

“Whatever, four eyes!” Charlie countered.

“Hey! Both of you, stop it. It’s not okay to name-call.” I pointed the spatula at Logan. “And you should know better. You’re older and you started it.”

“Sorry,” Logan grumbled, opening his book.

I went to the fridge and pulled out the turkey bacon, which had taken some getting used to, and set it on the counter. “How about this: since we’re adding turkey bacon, that’s our healthy, and that means we can put chocolate chips in our pancakes. Is that a good deal?”

“Yes!” they both answered excitedly. Logan might be considering what he ate a little more, but he was still a kid.

I got out a skillet, turned on the stove, and set the bacon in the pan before grabbing the stuff for the pancakes. “So…how would you guys feel if maybe we picked Callum up today and we all went to Pike’s State Park? Remember we went there last summer? They have those climbing trees you like, Charlie, and that little petting zoo. We can maybe bring some lunch and rent bikes and spend the day there.”

“That’d be awesome! I missed Callum while I was in Colorado,” Logan replied.

“He missed you too. He told me.” I looked at my daughter. “And he’s really excited to officially meet you, Charlie-girl.”

“Okay. The park sounds good,” she replied but didn’t say anything about Callum.

“Good. It’s a date, then.” We’d planned it two days ago, even though I’d just mentioned it to the kids. I didn’t know why. Like they wouldn’t want to go to the park? I knew I was being overly cautious about this, but Charlie was so perceptive in ways Logan wasn’t, and when she noticed things, she voiced them. It was ridiculous, and I was acting like a damn kid, but I had this fear that she’d look at me and know I was in love with him. What I didn’t understand was why it mattered so much if she did.

I picked my phone up off the counter and shot him a quick text. We’ll pick you up at 10:30.

Can’t wait. I miss you.

I couldn’t stop the cheesy smile that spread across my face. Miss you too.

I finished cooking breakfast, and the three of us ate. Charlie was talkative the whole time, and we laughed