Chapter1
Bastian
“I toldher I was bringing this girl I’ve been seeing for a few weeks.”
My brother’s laughter filled the receiver of my phone. He was howling so loudly that I had to pull the phone away from my ear as I rolled my eyes.
“It’s not that funny.”
“Yeah, it is. You know Mom will expect somebody at your side the minute she gets there.”
I groaned, scrubbing a hand down my face. He wasn’t wrong. Since my wife’s death four years ago, my mom had been nonstop on my case about getting back on the wagon and finding a mother for my two kids.
But it wasn’t that easy.
Eleanor was the love of my life. I couldn’t imagine being with somebody other than her—or I hadn’t at the time.
With distance, some therapy, and letting the grieving process play out, I came around more to the idea of finding a partner. I was lonely. I had needs I’d been denying myself. But most of all, our family had a very noticeable gap.
And one thing I knew for sure, my mom wasn’t wrong. I needed somebody to help me. I needed a family. I needed someone to come home to.
I loved my job and the life I had created for my kids back in LA, but I couldn’t keep doing it all myself. My kids didn’t show it, but I knew they were lacking. I was only one man, and I would never be able to fill the mom-shaped hole in their hearts.
“So, what are you gonna do?” My brother finally managed to get ahold of himself and resumed the conversation.
“I have no clue.”
I pulled my bag to the edge of the bed, unzipping it. I flipped it open, but I packed clothes, not the answers to all my problems. Still, I was disappointed when I found nothing coming to me as I opened it.
“I don’t know. I’ll figure something out. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve disappointed Mom, so I might as well brace myself for impact now. This plane is going down.”
“I’m sure we can come up with a plan. According to my phone call with her this morning, their plane arrives tomorrow afternoon. Mine leaves in the morning. Maybe I can find somebody to bring for you?”
I cringed at the idea of my brother setting me up on a week-long blind date. Not that he had terrible taste in women, but we didn’t have the same tastes.
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it. I’ll figure something out.” My eyes caught sight of the welcome package the front desk greeter gave me on arrival. On top was a piece of paper explaining the benefits of the kids’ club. I picked it up, recalling the conversation I’d had last week with my mom.
“They have a great kids’ program. You drop off any time and pick up before dinner. That means you and this new lady will have plenty of time to yourself.”
I swallowed a groan but knew she was right about one thing. I could use a break. As much as I loved my kids, working full-time and being a single dad meant burning the candle at both ends, and I could use a few late mornings or afternoons at the lake without worrying about whether Thomas could swim without his floaties or if Sophie was eating sand.
“I have to go register Thomas and Sophie for the kids’ club. Then, I’m gonna head up the bar and maybe find the answer in the bottom of a bottle of Jack. I’ll see you tomorrow, Julian.”
“Don’t drown. Love you, bro.” Grabbing the welcome package, I flipped through the information, finding a map of where the kids’ club was. I checked the clock to confirm I still had time to sign them up, which might give me a chance to breathe and devise a plan.
“Alright,” I dropped the papers and walked into the living room of the Houseman cabin, finding my kids busy with the toys I’d managed to shove in our suitcases. Thomas was busy building a city with his Legos while Sophie was coloring on the floor, preparing a welcome sign for Gammy and Papa. “Come on, let’s go register for the kids’ club! It has got lots of cool things … Performances, swimming, crafts, games … Let’s go see if we can make some new friends!”
I tried to make myself sound as enthused as possible, but my head was still swimming with the idea of how I would get myself out of my self-made conundrum.
“Yay!” Sophie jumped from the floor, scattering her crayons everywhere as she ran at me, throwing her arms around my legs. Lifting her, I threw her over my head and settled her into a piggyback ride.
Holding out my hand for Thomas’, we cut across the huge lawn, spotting other vacationers soaking up the afternoon sun by the pool. A group of teens played soccer, forcing me to kick back a stray ball coming straight for us.
As the kids and I walked toward the kids’ club, I considered calling my mom and making up a story that my girlfriend backed out. She wouldn’t know the truth, saving me from hearing more about needing a “good woman” in my life. I would have to endure a week of my mom talking about how sad it was my girlfriend couldn’t make it because of all the fun we were having together. Which sounded about as great as it probably would be—that is, not at all.
No matter what I decided to do, I needed to suck it up and do it. But then, as we approached the kids’ club, I saw her.
She was bent over, helping somebody tie their shoe. Her long, sun-streaked brown hair hung over one shoulder. When she rose, she gracefully flicked it back, turning toward me.