Page 105 of The Path To Us

She shrugs. “They’re stubborn.”

“They’ll also have a hell of a parking bill.”

“Yeah. Well, I wasn’t going to argue. Noah had his mind set on it and you know how that goes.”

I do. For as much as I love Richard, Noah leaves a lot to be desired. He and I have never clicked but we’re cordial to one another because we both love his father. Noah and his family still live in Seattle and from what I understand, his boys stayed for one more week in Europe to do their own thing. Not sure I would have been okay with my eighteen-year-old in a foreign continent without me, but that’s their decision.

“Is he texting you when they’re on their way?”

“He said he would.”

I set Drydon down and she toddles off to wander around.

“Do you think he’ll be upset?” I ask Addy, watching the kids closely. The kids are in the loft that Richard will likely never go up into but the kids will play in constantly.

“No.”

I look at her. “You sure?”

“Yes.”

All right then. I believe her.

Thirty minutes later we’re about to have our answer.

When Noah and Richard pull up, we’re already back in our house. Addy made a big pitcher of his famous lemonade and has a brand new package of Oreos waiting for him. She also made a batch of snickerdoodles but those won’t last long with Cruz and me around.

The kids rush outside as soon as he steps out of the car and fight with each other for his attention.

“Be gentle, kids! He’s an old man!” I shout.

“Says you!” Richard shouts back.

Addy and I descend down the stairs and greet Richard and Noah.

“Missed you,” Addy says quietly, not moving from her place next to him.

“Missed you, too, girl.”

“Did you have fun?”

I don’t miss the quick glance he gives Noah and wonder if that means he didn’t enjoy his time away. I hope not. I’d hate for that to be the case. Noah and I might not be buddies or have a lot in common, but he’s Richard’s son and they should have a good relationship.

“I did.”

“Three weeks was a little long,” Noah says.

“Oh, yeah?” I ask.

“Let me clarify. Three weeks with my two boys who are more entitled than I suspected is a little long.”

“Ahh.” Yeah. That makes sense. Not that I’d say that out loud in front of him. But there’s no way I could spend three days with those boys. Three weeks would put me over the edge.

“Daddy!” Zoey gripes impatiently. “Are we ready?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Did we interrupt something?”

I smile at Richard and pull him close. “Nah. But we’ve got a surprise for you and Zoey’s anxious to give it to you. It was all her idea,” I say and glance down at her to see her mouth drop open.

---