Page 90 of Last Call

“He’s a good guy.”

“And he’s married to Dora. Even if some people find her—challenging, they like Dick. They’re thinking about him, too,” Riley said. A knock at the door drew her attention. “That’s probably Pete with Owen.”

Fallon massaged her temples. It had been a long day, and she feared it wasn’t ending anytime soon. She heard Pete’s voice ask if she was home and sighed.

“Hi,” Pete said.

“Momma!” Owen ran into Fallon’s knees.

“Hey. Did you have fun with Uncle Pete?”

“Yep. I caught two fish, Momma.”

“Wow.”

“And he’s not even wet,” Riley commented as she entered the room. “Beth has taught you well,” she told Pete.

Fallon rolled her eyes. “They were fishing, Riley, not catching frogs.”

“My mistake,” Riley said. “Do you want to stay and have a beer?” she asked Pete.

Pete looked at Fallon, then back at Riley. “Sure.”

“Owen,” Riley said, “Let’s get you a snack.”

“Kay! Momma?”

“Yes?” Fallon replied.

“I went to school!”

“I heard. You went to pick up Evan.”

Owen shook his head. “No. I did work.”

Fallon tried to understand.

“Letters,” Pete explained. “I think Aunt Beth put them in your backpack,” he told Owen.

Owen sprinted back toward the door.

Riley emerged from the kitchen with two beers. “Where’s Owen?”

As if on cue, Owen ran into the room with his school paper waving in his hand.

“Mommy!”

Riley bit her lip to keep from laughing. “What do you have there?”

Owen held up the slightly crinkled paper proudly.

“You did that?” Fallon asked.

“Yep. It’s homework,” Owen explained.

Fallon pulled Owen close and hugged him. “I’m so proud of you.”

The triumphant grin that curled Owen’s lips melted Riley’s heart. “I think that deserves a soda,” she said.

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