Page 30 of A Place Like You

“We haven’t met you before,” Milo chimes in, his eyes wide with curiosity as he looks at the woman before us.

“Well, we should rectify that, shouldn’t we?” she suggests, her words carrying a gentle invitation. “My name is Donna. Donna Kershaw, and may I ask who you are?”

Donna. I recall the name from last night’s conversation with Drake. She was his first stepmother. I don’t want to like her, but there’s a comforting aura about her. My second thought is Regina, who warned us that one of the Kershaw women is now supposed to be her aunt. Ugh, I need to have a chat with her soon and compare notes before I make a mess.

Milo swivels his gaze toward me, his eyes wide pools of anticipation seeking my approval. I nod, giving him the go-ahead to continue.

“I’m Milo,” he responds cautiously.

Donna’s smile broadens, her eyes alight with a spark. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Milo,” she replies warmly.

“Welcome to Heartwood Lake, Donna,” I chime in, the words slipping off my tongue. This is an unfamiliar sentiment that rarely graces my lips when newcomers from the Endor program arrive.

But this time feels completely different. These people are staying for the long haul, and I hope they’ll try to blend in and embrace our town. They’ll be living among us for a substantial period of time, and I wish they’d come to love it as much as we do.

Heartwood Lake may be small, but there’s something special about this place that makes you feel at home—even when sometimes we wish we could hide from the gossip.

“So, what can I get for you today?” she inquires, glancing at the register.

“Cocoa, please,” Milo says, and I finish ordering by adding a latte and a couple of pastries.

“Will that be for here or to go?” Donna asks, her eyes focused on the screen.

“Mom?” Milo turns to me, expectation in his gaze.

“Of course we’re staying,” I confirm, ruffling his hair. I tap my card on the reader before refocusing on him. “After all, this is our special breakfast day.”

“Enjoy,” Donna says as she passes us a small wooden block, the number five etched deeply into it.

“We’re five, like me,” Milo announces, a glint of excitement in his eyes as he reverently holds the block.

“That we are,” I respond, steering him toward our preferred corner table, a cozy nook bathed in morning light.

As we settle in, I rummage through my purse, retrieving a pack of wipes. It’s not that I distrust the cleanliness of the café, but Milo has an uncanny knack for finding his fingers—or worse, his tongue—on the most random surfaces. I’ve found him licking the table more than once. So, as a precaution, I wipe down our area before we claim it.

While waiting for our order, Milo shares his desire for a dad, a sister like Rhea, and maybe even more grandparents. It’s a discussion we’ve circled around for the past couple of years. His thirst for connections beyond our close-knit circle is both heartbreaking and endearing. I wish I could wave a magic wand and fulfill these desires for him, but the reality is far more complicated.

Before I can come up with an appropriate response, our drinks and pastries appear before us. When I look up, I find Drake smiling warmly at Milo and then at me. “Good morning.”

“Hi, Drake,” Milo greets him, his face lighting up.

“Morning,” I echo, quirking an eyebrow. “Do you work here too?”

“Nah,” he replies, the corners of his mouth twitching in amusement. “I just came in for some coffee, and Donna asked me to bring this over to you.”

Casting a glance back to the counter, I catch Donna’s eye and see her waving in our direction. I return the wave with a silent thank you forming on my lips.

“Join us,” Milo invites him with a hopeful gleam in his eyes.

As much as I feel the need to teach him about boundaries and social interactions with semi-strangers, I find myself pointing to one of the empty chairs. “If you’re not in a rush, please join us,” I add, trying to shut down the undeniable flutter in my chest from the previous night. The memory of Drake’s gaze and . . . well, the thing we’ll never be able to do.

Drake throws a glance toward the entrance, his expression twisting slightly. “I’d love to stay, but the ranch doesn’t run itself.”

“You work at the ranch?” Milo’s voice spikes with enthusiasm, his love for animals an undeniable part of him. He’s spent countless afternoons pleading with Aunt Regina to take him to visit the horses.

Drake’s response comes in the form of a nod. “Me and my brothers do.”

“Brothers?” Milo’s eyes flicker to mine, his mouth stretching into a grin. It’s the look he gets when he’s hatching a plan or has stumbled upon something promising.

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