“Sam hasn’t come,” Michael muttered.
“Yeah, why isn’t he here?” Josh asked. “If everybody comes?”
“He worked late last night, remember?” Mia pointed to a half empty pew, and Michael sat, sliding down to make space for his mom and brother. “He needs some rest. And we can thank God on his behalf.”
“We don’t have anything to be thankful for.”
She lifted an eyebrow at her older son. “How about having a roof over our heads? A good week at school? You got on the football team.” She let out a mouthful of air, because being so damn positive all the time was exhausting.
“And Mom got a job. That’s good, too, right?” Josh beamed at them.
“Good if you never want to go back to Kansas City,” Michael muttered, taking the hymn book from the shelf on the back of the pew in front of them, and flicking through it. He’d been like this since she’d gotten the call from the distillery offering her the job. She’d taken it, of course. But rather than be happy for her, Michael had rolled his eyes when she’d made his favorite meal to celebrate – chicken pot pies with mashed potatoes.
She knew it was making it all real for him. That even though he’d gone out for football trials, he was still hoping he’d be back at his old school with his friends and team. But she was damned if she’d let that spoil her happiness, because getting this job was a good thing.
The service passed quickly, thanks to an entertaining sermon from Reverend Maitland, who made everybody – even Michael – laugh. When they’d asked for the children to come to the front for a song, Josh had happily gone forward, singing so loud Mia could swear she heard him at the back. He was settling in nicely. He’d already been over to a new friend’s house to play that weekend. And from the way he was talking to two of the kids as they walked back to their seats, he’d made a few more.
It was so much easier being eight than fourteen. She wished Michael had found life as simple as Josh did.
As they followed the crowd of worshippers, shaking Reverend Maitland’s hand as they left, Mia’s gaze landed on the one person she was trying not to think about.
Cam Hartson was standing on the lawn at the front of the church, talking to a woman who was holding a baby. He was dressed up, wearing a sharp suit and shirt, and his hair was styled differently. Maybe that was why she didn’t feel the spark she’d gotten before.
She was both relieved and disappointed. Because that spark was the only thing giving her life right now.
“I’ll be right back,” she murmured to the boys.
“Can I go play?” Josh asked, pointing at the town square where other kids his age were congregating.
“Sure. But keep within my eyesight,” Mia agreed. “You want to go, too?” she asked Michael.
“Nope.”
“Okay then. Stay here. I’ll be back soon and we’ll go grab a shake from the diner.” She walked over to where Cam and the woman were laughing.
“Could I have a quick word?” Mia asked him.
For a moment he looked at her, surprised. There was no flash of recognition in his eyes. No soft appraisal of her, like he’d done last week. “Um yeah, sure. You okay, sweetheart?” he asked the woman with the baby.
She smiled at Mia. “Sure.”
Sweetheart? So he had a girlfriend and a baby. And she’d sworn he’d been ogling her when she was changing the tire on her car. What an asshole.
Now she was glad there was no attraction. Ugh.
“I wanted to say thank you for the tire,” she said quickly, because she wanted to get home and forget about all this. “You didn’t need to do it, though. I had it covered.”
“The tire?” His brows pulled together. “What tire?”
“The tire you helped me change on the side of the road. You must remember?” Why was he being so weird?
“I didn’t change a tire. I’m afraid I don’t know who you are.” He swallowed, his voice full of politeness.
“You don’t remember my sons throwing a football against your car?” She tried to keep her voice civil, but it was getting tough.
He laughed, recognition finally washing over his face. “You’ve got me mixed up with my twin. You’re talking about Cam, right? I’m Logan Hartson.” He held his hand out. “And you must be Mia. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
She shook his hand quickly, then closed her eyes, her face flaming with embarrassment. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you were twins. I never would have…” She trailed off, looking for a rock to hide under.