Page 63 of Surprised By Love

“Sure, just be careful, please.”

“Really? I can? Daddy never let me play on those.”

“I know, peanut. Just be careful.”

She’s only been on one once when we were here with Becca and Jenna and she loved it. It made her so happy, but it made me nervous about her climbing those things with all the horror stories Derek told me about children and broken bones. Still makes me nervous, but I want her to have a happy childhood and experience things she didn’t do before.

She slides down the spiral side, then runs and grabs onto the monkey bars, swinging herself back and forth. “Momma, look at me,” she yells.

“I see you, you little monkey,” I laugh, and take a sip of the coffee I grabbed from the diner on our way here.

Amelia screams and I nearly spill the coffee all over me. When I look up, she jumps down from the monkey bars and starts running towards something behind me. I turn my head to see Emily and Jake running towards Amelia. Josh’s mom is right behind them.

The kids all hug and run towards the jungle gym.

“Mind if I join you?” Maureen asks.

“Please,” I say, gesturing to the empty spot beside me.

She smiles and takes a seat. “Thank you. I thought I’d bring the kids to the park for a bit before I start dinner. It’s such a beautiful day out.”

“It is,” I say, looking out at the kids running around and laughing. It makes me so happy that Amelia has found a friend so quickly.

I was worried that by moving her away, she would have a hard time adjusting, but I guess it’s right what they say. Kids are resilient. She’s taken to her new home and school so quickly.

“Your daughter is adorable,” Maureen says. “Emily hasn’t stopped talking about her new best friend.”

“Amelia is the same. None stop talking about Emily this, Emily that.” I laugh and Maureen joins in.

“I also heard you went out with my son the other night. I hope he was a gentleman.”

I chuckle. “He was a perfect gentleman.” I remember kissing him at the movies, making out in his car and dancing with him at Tucker’s and I pray Maureen can’t see the blush I can feel rising in my cheeks.

“Good, good.” Glad to know their good manners don’t leave them once they are out of my earshot. She grins.

“Say, how would you and Amelia like to come join us for Sunday dinner tonight?”

“Oh, we couldn’t impose on family dinner.”

She pats my lap. “Nonsense. We’d love to have you, and I’m sure the kids would have a blast. Besides, it would be nice to get to know the woman my son is smitten with.”

I laugh. “I’m sure he’s not smitten.”

“Oh, but he is.” Maureen smiles. “Say yes. Come to dinner.”

I grab my phone to send Josh a text.

Me:Your mom showed up at the park and invited Amelia and me over for dinner. Is that alright with you? I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.

I watch as the bubbles appear, then disappear, then reappear again. Great, he doesn’t like this idea and is trying to let me down easily.

Josh:Sure, that sounds good. Can you meet me there? I have to go home and shower before dinner.

Me:Yes. See you there.

I look down at my phone in disbelief. He actually said yes to this. To us, going to his Sunday night family dinner. Is this moving way too fast or is it just one more thing about small towns I need to get used to again?

“Everything alright?” Maureen asks.

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