at the edge of the mountain, gripping the straps of his backpack, chest pushed out as if welcoming the breeze that tickled their faces, basking in the warmth of the sun that played hide-and-seek with the puffy white clouds overhead. He’d mentioned his love of the outdoors numerous times in the last few weeks, and she finally understood—he was in his element.
And it was extremely attractive.
As if they were two magnets, Angela moved closer. She hadn’t meant to spend so much time with him, but after the marathon she’d called him, desperate for his insights into what she should do about Kylee. His gentle advice to simply have patience with her daughter and be there in case she wanted to talk was sound, and Angela had appreciated the logic in it. And even though Kylee hadn’t opened up any more about Ethan or what was going on in her heart, she hadn’t completely retreated again like Angela expected. She’d even joined her mom and aunt for training most days. For now they were once again attempting a shaky truce.
That late-night advice session had turned into a get-together with Simon nearly every night, whether it was catching a movie at the local cinema, eating dinner beside the wharf in town, or taking a stroll along the lake. Simon and his children—who were wonderful, well-adjusted kids from what Angela could tell—had also spent time over at the Jamisons’ rental house, and the kids got along surprisingly well. Those new friendships were likely the reason none of the kids were acting out in the stereotypical way when a parent started spending time with a “special friend.”
But were they all getting too attached? Angela had tried to casually remind her kids that someday they’d have to leave the Kings behind, but Lilly’s response last night had stuck with Angela: “I know, Mommy. But what if we didn’t?”
Of course, that was a ridiculous notion. The end of March would come, and the Jamisons would depart. But sometimes Angela still indulged the foolishness for a moment or two. What if there could be more between her and Simon? Was it even possible for her to be in a relationship without losing herself, without having to sacrifice what she wanted? A selfish perspective, perhaps, but it still gave her pause. She definitely wouldn’t rush into anything.
Not that Simon had pushed at all. In fact, since their first “date,” he hadn’t verbally hinted at wanting more than friendship. But the interest in his eyes was clear.
Even now his gaze turned from the great beauty surrounding them . . . to Angela.
Sudden self-consciousness overtook her. “What?”
“Nothing. Just enjoying the view.” A smile curled on his lips.
“Yeah?” She couldn’t help the grin that spread on her own.
“It just got infinitely better. You put nature to shame when you smile.”
Angela fidgeted with the zipper on her jacket. “There hasn’t been a lot to smile about . . . until now.”
“I understand how it might feel like that. But look at all the amazing things in your life and what you’ve accomplished.”
“And what exactly have I accomplished? One of my friends back home is a published author. Another a lawyer with a huge firm. Yet another homeschools, runs her own in-home business, and serves on practically every church committee. Providing for my children’s basic needs doesn’t seem that high on the list of noteworthy accomplishments.”
“You can’t compare yourself with everyone else. You’ve got to do the tasks you were given to complete—nothing more, nothing less. And from where I’m standing, I see a woman who has done so much more than provide the essentials for her kids. You love them so much it scares you. Love might not seem like an accomplishment, but it’s lifeblood to us all.”
The words thickened Angela’s throat like a lot of things did these days. “Funny thing is, I never wanted kids.”
“Why is that?”
She shrugged. “My father was a career military guy. Navy. My mom died from kidney disease when I was six, while my dad was serving on a ship. He came back for the funeral, then sent me to live with my aunt, who worked crazy hours and really didn’t want me. But there was no other family willing or able to take me, and my dad didn’t want to give up his prestigious post. The arrangement was only supposed to last a few years till he retired.”
“And how long did it actually last?”
“Till I graduated high school. Then after I told him about being