Page 18 of Beckon

Chandler wasn’t a choose your own adventure type, he was a mission type.

That could be unpacked later.

Chandler opened the door, but before stepping out, he let his heart speak.

“Thank you for the best day I’ve had in a really long time. You made me forget and I’ll remember that forever.”

Before he’d shut the car door, his phone dinged with her information.

6

TAMITHA

Tamitha had always cursedher differences, but now she cursed her typicalness.

The fourth outfit would have to do. It wasn’t like she had an abundance to choose from to start with. But having to wash three rejected outfits because she couldn’t help herself was three too many.

“The adventure I want,” she mused as she checked out her reflection in the mirror. A cowboy hat sat high on her head, her brown hair pulled loosely in a low ponytail. A western shirt, jeans, and cowgirl boots completed the look.

“So, you took him literally then? Going with a day on the ranch?”

Tami turned to look at her mother. She leaned against the doorframe to the bedroom, sipping tea.

“Yes. He said dress for the adventure I want, so I hope he meant it because you know me.” She cast her arms wide and spun for her mother’s approval. “I really hope he was serious or well, well, nothing. I’ll be dressed like this at a fancy restaurant eating food I don’t like.”

Her mother flowed into the room as if propelled by an unseen force. She was the definition of grace, Tami, not so much. “Sweetheart.” She cupped her cheek with her free hand. “From what you’ve told me, he isn’t the fancy food type. I also think he’ll read your outfit just fine. And you’ll end up down at The Ranch House.”

They both adopted a television announcer voice. “Come on down to The Ranch House and eat a steak as big as your face.” They broke into a fit of laughter that helped ease her nerves.

“Have you decided how to introduce him to Chester or are you going to slip out the front before he spots him?”

“I’m still torn. I told Chester I was having dinner with a friend, and he didn’t ask for a follow-up, so I dropped it. The bigger deal I make of it, the bigger he’ll see it as. I don’t want him assuming he’s getting a dad just because my dinner friend is a man.”

With her mother trailing behind her, Tami made her way downstairs. “Good call. Kids are perceptive, especially my genius grandson.”

“Besides, I’m not sure if this is a traditional date or not. He made it sound like it was but then he also made it sound like an apology dinner of sorts. Since I’m unsure, how can I—” Her words were cut off by a knock on the door.

“Mom, I haven’t even told him…” Her mother opened the door and greeted a very handsome-looking Chandler.

“I have a kid.”

Tami blurted out in the direction of the door. Two sets of eyes snapped to her face. One set was a warm, soft brown and held a look of shock and the other, green like hers, with a look of amusement.

“His name is Chester, you must be Chandler, and I’m Tamitha’s mother. You can call me Constance. Now that we’re all on a first-name basis, won’t you come in?” The amusement in her mother’s voice calmed her ever so slightly, but it was enough to help her recover from her shouted confession.

“Sorry about that. We were talking and I realized I hadn’t told you I had a child and I know some people are not—”

“Tami.”

Chandler interrupted her rambling with just her name. It wasn’t forceful or scolding, it was sweet and almost intimate.

“You look beautiful.” The way he said it and the look that followed made her feel beautiful. “And FYI, you don’t owe anyone an explanation or an insight into your life but thank you for trusting me with that information.”

Tami almost swooned. When she looked over at her mother, she thought she actually would swoon. The woman had her hand resting against her chest and was looking at Chandler as if she was already planning a wedding. Besides hers and Harold’s.

Sharing Chester with anyone took trust, and the fact that Chandler got that set butterflies off in her stomach. Her mother was shooing them out the door when Chester came barreling through like a three-foot tsunami.

“Hi, I’m Chester.”

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