Page 127 of The Only Heart that Matters

“Incoming!” I yell, releasing my boy who takes off running to see his bestie.

“Tater! How was your day?” I hear as I round the corner to the kitchen to find Sawyer already in his arms. When he sees me, Gus’s face lights up. “Hey, baby.”

“Hey, baby,” I reply, placing a kiss on his lips. Sweetly, Sawyer leans in and places a kiss on my cheek and I giggle. “Thank you, buddy.”

“Go change. I’ve got him.”

“You sure? I can wait until you’re done.”

“All the prep work is finished. I’ll start grilling when you’re back. I’ll take him outside to run around.” His lips press against the top of my head. “Take your time.”

“Cool, be right back.”

A few months ago, I would have pushed back, feeling guilty. But now I know he wants to hang out with Sawyer as much as my little boy wants to hang out with Angus, so I let him help. It’s something I’m slowly getting used to. It’s nice.

Sure enough, my favorite sweatshirt and sweatpants are in a duffle bag. The sweatshirt is a grey sweatshirt with The House logo on the front. On the back there’s a fireman holding a hose that’s shooting beer into a pint glass and the words,“I got hosed at The House.”It’s my go to comfort item. He also packed my brush and favorite hand lotion, because after wearing gloves and washing my hands a hundred times a day at work, my skin takes a beating. He’s thought of everything.

After I’m changed, my skin is moisturized and smells like vanilla, I slip into my pillow slides. Angus thinks they’re hideous, but I love them. I shuffle out back, but as soon as I open the sliding back door, I’m frozen to the spot. Sawyer is perched on the top of the picnic table and Daisy is sitting on the bench in front of him.

She’s here.

“Hey, babe. We’ve got company,” Angus says from my left where he’s prepping the grill.

Stepping outside, I close the door behind me and cautiously make my way toward my son and his aunt. Rounding the table so I can see her face, I manage a, “Hi.”

“Hey,” is all she says.

“Mind if I sit?”

She shakes her head, and I plant myself beside her.

My instinct is to apologize again, but I’m not going to, because I was doing what was best for me and my son and for that I’m not sorry. Instead, I wait and let her take the lead.

Daisy pats the tabletop. “It’s really a magnificent table, isn’t it?”

I smile at the thought of what this table means to Charlie, Callen, and Daisy. “The table that started it all.”

She chuckles but doesn’t elaborate.

Close to a year ago, Charlie ended up in McKinnon’s Hardware store to buy the supplies she needed to make thistable. There she ran into Callen, who she hadn’t seen in over two years. This table was also what prompted Daisy to ask her to build more for a wedding and from there, they went into business together. It holds a special place in all our hearts.

Sawyer turns so he can see me. “Mama, Aunt Dais here.”

She’s always been Aunt Daisy to him, even before she knew the truth. “She is.”

He turns back to face her as he pushes his truck across the table.

“Mia, I’m sorry. I may have overreacted. To be honest, I’m not sure. Part of me is still hurt that you didn't trust me, while another part of me understands you were protecting our boy here.”

“It's not that I didn’t trust you. I knew if you knew, you would insist I tell Knox and that wasn’t in the best interest of my son.”

“So, why now?”

“Because I am in love with Angus and there was no way I could be with him if he didn’t know. If Angus hadn’t returned my feelings, I may have never said a word.” I see a flash of anger in her eyes. “I’m sorry, it’s the truth. My child’s emotional well-being and distance from paparazzi and internet vultures is too important.”

“As it should be.” She ruffles his hair. “I heard everything you said at the park. It just took me a minute.”

“I get it, too. First Angus and then Knox. It’s a lot.”

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