Page 5 of Summer Heat
Shep's house was gorgeous. I couldn't believe I was calling it my home for the foreseeable future. There were ornate vases perched on decades-old furniture, and I was more than a little scared that Maya would knock something over, breaking a valuable heirloom.
I'd need to find a new place to rent as soon as possible. I didn't want to be a burden to Shep. He had a whole social life which would be derailed by the presence of a five-year-old and her mother.
But I was dependent on my landlord doing his job, and he didn't have a good track record. I felt stuck and upset that I'd chosen a place to live where the landlord hadn't taken care of the repairs.
It was hard being a single mother. There weren't many places to rent in my budget, so I'd settled for a cheaper option that came with a lazy landlord. Not that I knew that going in, but I still blamed myself for the predicament we found ourselves in.
Maya was happily swimming in the pool with a waterfall which provided lovely background noise and soothed some of my worries.
"Get in," Maya demanded.
I let my feet dangle in the water, fairly sure this pool was heated, because of course it was. This house could only be described as a mansion, one that the Kingston family had lived in for generations. Captiva was full of houses like this and families with old money. I hadn't spent much time here because I didn't have a reason to.
Luckily, Shep had grabbed both of our swimsuits that we'd changed into at Maya's insistence soon after he left. I felt guilty that he was the one handling the situation at my house, but it was nice to have help for once.
I couldn't remember the last time I had someone to fix a toilet or carry a heavy piece of furniture. It was satisfying to provide for yourself, but when it all came crashing down, you questioned your ability to handle anything.
I slipped into the pool as Maya swam toward me. She was excited and happy to be here, because she didn't understand that most of our things were damaged beyond repair. She probably thought her books and stuffed animals would dry out and be good to go. But I knew better.
Everything I'd provided for her and built for our life together was ruined. The most we could salvage was the clothes and the photo album I'd thought to grab when we'd returned to find the flooding.
Reality hadn't set in for Maya. I was the adult in this situation, and it was all too clear that I'd failed as a mother. I couldn't even provide her with a safe home.
My ex, Derek, saw Maya every other weekend, but he wasn't involved in our day-to-day. I made the decisions regarding Maya's education and her medical care. Anything she needed, I provided.
He wasn't someone I could go to and ask for help. I enjoyed being independent, but times like this, I wished I had a safety net. Someone to ask for help.
When I arrived home to find the house flooded, Shep was the first person who came to mind. At first, I was thinking he could fix it since he was a contractor. His other brothers all had significant others, so he was the only one who'd be free.
As much as he annoyed me, I sensed that he was a good guy. Someone I could rely on if something went bad.
Over the years, he spent a lot of time at my desk, talking to me. At first, I thought it was to flirt like he did with everyone, but lately, our conversations had been more about his family and work.
I didn't think of him as a friend. But I knew he'd come when I called. I didn't want to think too closely about what that meant.
We swam until our skin was wrinkled. Then I insisted Maya get out. We were just drying off when Shep opened the door to the patio.
I wrapped the towel around me. "I hope it's okay that we took a dip in your pool."
His brow furrowed. "My house is yours. You're free to use anything you want."
"Your pool is so fun," Maya's voice shook as she sat on a deck chair, wrapped in a towel, shivering.
Shep turned on the heater closest to Maya. "This will help you warm up."
It never failed to make my heart squeeze when he did something like that for my daughter. I had been dating Derek when I got pregnant unexpectantly, but it was clear when I brought Maya home from the hospital that he was uncomfortable around her
He spent more time at work, never volunteering to help me with Maya. I didn't stick around to see if he'd be more comfortable with a toddler or a school-aged child. It was easier for me to go out on my own, rather than hope that Derek would ever change.
Shep squatted down to Maya's level. "I'm going to get started on those drumsticks."
"You got drummies?" Maya asked, her eyes wide as if she couldn't believe he'd listened to her.
He raised a brow. "You asked for them, didn't you?"
Maya flopped back on the chair and stretched her legs out. "Yes, and I'm starving."
Shep chuckled as he stood. "I'd better get started on dinner then. Why don't you jump in the shower?"
