Mom nods, but I know the questions are about to start coming. “Did just the two of you move to Willow Valley?”
The question has my spoon pausing part way to my mouth. I’venever asked Everett about Lila’s mom. It’s not my business, no matter how much I want to know more about him.
“Yeah, just the two of us.”
Lila is quietly eating her soup and picking at her bread, dipping it into the broth and eating it. I notice how she doesn’t look at my mom or dad as we all talk.
I lean in closer and ask, “Lila, do you like horses?”
She looks up at me, excitement in her eyes, and nods.
“Do you maybe want to go see the horses with me after dinner? We have some here on the property.”
“Really?” she whispers.
I nod enthusiastically. “Yup. I can take you to meet them.”
“Yay!”
As I sit back, Everett offers me a soft smile, and I notice how Lila eats her food a little bit faster.
“How have you enjoyed your move to Willow Valley?” Mom asks Everett.
His eyes dart to me before he responds. “It’s been much better than anticipated.”
My cheeks heat, and I allow my hair to fall and cover my face. If I’m not careful, I think I could find myself developing feelings I shouldn’t have for Everett Lawson.
TWENTY-TWO
EVERETT
Once we finish dinner, Chloe clears the table and grabs her and Lila’s jackets. “I’m going to take Lila out to meet the horses, we’ll be back.”
Before I even have a chance to offer to go with them, Chloe and Lila are out the door, leaving me alone with her parents.
Melanie places a plate of cookies in front of me as she retakes her seat and smiles. Her and my grandmother seem like two peas in a pod, digging for information. I see where Chloe gets her persistence, too.
“So, how are you adjusting to being in Willow Valley?” Melanie asks.
“It’s been good. Lila likes school, the fire station has been easy to adjust to.”
She nods and pushes the cookies closer to me. I take one to be polite, but I also remember them being damn good.
“I hope we can trust having our daughter with you. I know she’s not a child anymore, but she’ll always be our little girl.”
My eyes bounce between Melanie and Randy, and I notice that he’s more of an observer like me.
“Of course. I understand your concerns. I know no matter how old Lila gets I’ll always worry about her. I’ll make sure Chloe is safe. I’d hope she’s comfortable enough in my home that should anything worry her, she’d say something. We’re still getting toknow each other, but I trust her implicitly with my daughter, which is why I offered her the room after learning she needed a place. I’ve never seen Lila open up and be so comfortable with someone the way she is with Chloe. It’s like she’s got this magic touch.”
Melanie grins at me. “My daughter’s always been that way. I knew even when she was young that she’d do good in this world.”
I can’t hold back my own smile. “She will leave a lasting impact for sure.”
I take the last bite of my cookie and realize I’ve spilled more to her while eating that cookie than I have to anyone with the exception of that one night with Chloe. I look back at Melanie, and I swear her smile has a hint of deviousness like she knows exactly what she just did.
I shake my head as the door opens and Lila comes barreling in with Chloe behind her.
“Daddy! Daddy! I got to pet the horses. They’re so cool! Miss M said I could come ride them as long as you said yes. Can I, Daddy? Pretty please? I promise I’ll listen to Miss M.”