Page 106 of Summer with the Single Dad

Once the gate swung open, their date could officially get under way.

It was a bit of a gong show at the petting farm, unfortunately.

The first weekend of summer vacation brought every single family from the island and greater Seattle area to see the baby goats—or at least that was how it seemed. If she wasn’t tripping over a kid with four legs, she was tripping over a kid with two.

It was still a lot of fun, and when she finally found a spot to sit down and two baby goats started to climb on her back and lap and nibble at her shoelaces, it was impossible not to laugh and feel a tremendous amount of joy.

“Too many people,” Emme said as she reached for Justine’s hand when they strolled through the parking lot of the community center back to where they parked. “Uncle Clint would be freaking out so much if he was here.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because he hates crowds. Like, hates them. He was okay at the funfair because it was a big space in the field, but Dad said even that started to get to him and he had to leave early.” Her lips dropped into a frown. “I guess you did too. Do you hate crowds too?”

“I’m not particularly fond of them, but I left for a different reason?”

“Why’d you leave?”

Justine smiled down at the too-mature-for-her-age child. “I just … I wasn’t feeling well.”

Emme seemed to accept that answer and nodded. They climbed back into Justine’s car. “Next up, the dock! Or do you want to go to Booch and Bagels first?”

“Whatever you prefer. You’re driving this date, even though I’m driving Miss Daisy.”

“Huh?”

“Never mind. You just tell me where to go.”

“Let’s go to Booch and Bagels first.”

“I know where that is!”

“Back again?” Siobhan asked with a friendly, close-mouthed grin from behind the counter at the little kombucha and bagel kiosk located in the center pavilion along with the grocery store and other venders.

“We’re on a date and she asked for Booch and Bagels. Who am I to say ‘no’ to that face?”

Emme beamed like the shiny little star that she was. “Watermelon Mint, and Apple Cinnamon with honey, please.”

Siobhan grinned. “Coming right up, Ms. McEvoy.”

That made Emme giggle. “What are you getting, Justine?”

“Well, I was just here, actually so …”

But when the little girl’s face dropped into a pout of disappointment, Justine was quick to order. “I’ll grab the Pineapple Passionfruit and the Pizza Pretzel bagel, please, Siobhan.”

Siobhan glanced over her shoulder at Justine, her smile knowing. “You got it.”

Once they had their booch and bagels, they sat on the bench adjacent to the kiosk and people watched while they ate and sipped.

“How’s your booch?” Emme asked, washing down a bite of her bagel with some of her kombucha.

“Delicious. I haven’t tried this flavor yet. How is yours?”

“I only get this flavor. It’s my favorite. It’s also the only one I’ve tried.” She took another bite of her bagel.

“Well, then how do you know if there aren’t others you might like better?” A few people Justine recognized from yoga waved at her as they passed, heading into the grocery store. She wasn’t sure she’d like this tight little community and how easy it was to see people you knew wherever you went, but she actually really liked it. It felt safe.

Emme shrugged and finished chewing. “If I like it, why bother being disappointed with a risk?”

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