When the Wind Chimes - Mary Ting Page 0,63

my family comes from both.”

“It’s an experience. You would love it. I’m going to take Bridget when she’s old enough to handle long flights.”

Bridget, who had been eating quietly, frowned. “I can handle it now. I’m a big girl.”

Lee chuckled. “We’ll see. Maybe next year.”

Bridget got up and dusted the front of her shirt. “I’m done. Can I have dessert now?”

“Oh, I almost forgot.” Lee reached inside the basket and took out another container. “Fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies from the local bakery. These are the best.”

My mouth watered. “This must be my lucky day, Lee. Thank you.”

I let Bridget take one out first and then grabbed my own. I didn’t bother finishing my plate of noodles as I sank my teeth into the soft cookie, the chocolate chips melting in my mouth.

“You’re right, Lee. These are the best,” I said with a mouthful.

“Yummy.” Bridget stuffed the cookie in her mouth so fast crumbs fell all over her shirt.

Lee and I laughed.

“Slow down, sweetheart,” Lee said. “You’ll choke. Drink some water.” Lee shook his head and handed her a water bottle. “You would think she’d never had cookies.”

“Can I go over there?” Bridget pointed to the waterfall.

Lee gave her a pointed look. “Do you remember the boundary?”

“Don’t pass the fifth boulder and stay by the small rocks.”

“Good. Yes, you may go.” He watched her and then turned to me.

“So ...” I washed down the last bit of cookie and picked out a little white flower growing within the grass. “You’ve been taking care of Bridget for the past two years. Do you get to go out with friends or date much?”

I wanted—needed—to know if what Jessica had told me about Lee having many lovers was true, and I hoped the relaxed setting would make my question sound less invasive.

He rolled back his shoulders and anchored his hands behind him. His hair was slicked back and his face clean shaven. He looked like a model posing for an outdoor adventure magazine photo shoot in his jeans and a form-fitting T-shirt.

“When I adopted Bridget, I spent all my spare time with her. We needed to get comfortable with each other. Bringing someone else into the family and dividing my time didn’t seem right. To be honest, some women were turned off I had a child. They didn’t know she wasn’t my own.”

“I could understand. It can get complicated.” I stretched my legs and closed my eyes. We sat in the shade of the mountain, but just the sight of the sun’s halo around the peak filled me with warmth.

“What about you? Is there someone special back home?”

My eyes flew open at the unexpected question. I tried not to think of Jayden, and I’d been good at forgetting him, but what he’d done still hurt. I didn’t want Lee to see the pain in my face, but I wasn’t good at hiding my emotions. Though, I knew he would understand since his sister’s husband had left her for another woman.

I cleared my throat. “My ex-boyfriend, whom I dated for almost two years, cheated on me.”

I didn’t want his pity and I didn’t want to sound pathetic either, so I left out that Jayden had cheated on me twice.

Lee frowned. “I’m sorry that it happened to you. It’s his loss, Kate. I don’t understand people who cheat. Act like a grown-up. Break up first and then go on your way.”

“I couldn’t agree with you more.”

“Was it recent?” He sounded hesitant.

He wanted to know more about my private life. My stomach lurched, and I told myself to calm down. Talking about relationships is just another level of friendship.

I peered up to the puffy clouds and then met his gaze. “It happened about a year ago, the day after Christmas. So I really hate that ‘Last Christmas’ song.” The second time had been more recent, but I wasn’t going to go there.

Lee laughed. “I’m sorry. That’s not funny, but your comment was.”

I shrugged. “The song fits my situation though.”

“It does.” Lee picked up the empty containers and shoved them into the bag.

I tried to help but he swatted my hand away.

“He wants to get back together.” He didn’t need to know that, but I’d said it. Too late.

“Oh.” He halted briefly. “Are you planning to?”

“No. He lost my trust, and trust is everything in a relationship, right?”

“Yes, it is. I couldn’t agree more.”

We sat in silence as we watched Bridget carefully maneuver on the boulders.

“Look, Papa. Butterflies.” Bridget leaned forward to get a closer look.

My chest tightened,