Page 6 of Every Beat of My Heart

Owen raised a brow but waited with his fork in the air for everyone’s butt to hit the chair before he dove in a second time.

Jameson chuckled. “I was the same way as a kid. I was always hungry.”

I shook my head. “Manners are important even when you’re a growing boy.”

We ate in silence. I couldn’t believe that Jameson was here, eating at my table. Other than a friend or two, we hadn’t had any guests over. We usually visited my parents at their house. They said this one was too small for all of us to gather.

I appreciated that Jameson didn’t ask Owen a lot of questions to get him to talk. That’s what Eric did when he was around. It was usually awkward and didn't endear him to Owen.

Owen ate quickly, then asked to be excused.

I gave him a look. “Put your plate away. Then finish your homework.”

Owen hurried to comply. “I already did it. Can I play football with Logan?”

“You don’t have a test to study for?”

“We don’t have one until next week,” Owen said eagerly, his feet already moving toward the front door.

“Okay then,” I said, but he was already gone. The door opened and shut a few seconds later. “I’m fortunate that we live in a neighborhood where he has friends to play with. He’s an active kid, and I can get some work done while he expends some energy.”

“You gotta take your breaks when you can get them.”

We finished eating and cleared our dishes. I stacked the containers of leftovers neatly inside the fridge. I lingered over the task, wishing I had a reason for Jameson to stick around, but I didn’t have a reason, and Owen was gone.

“I should get going. You probably have work to do,” Jameson said.

I wouldn’t see him again unless I ran into him at school or around town. I opened the front door. “Thanks for stopping by. I tried to talk to Owen, but I think he’s more likely to listen to someone like you.”

“I’m not his mom, right?” Jameson joked.

He turned to face me. His biceps filled out the soft gray Henley he wore, and it clung to what appeared to be a toned stomach. I bet he had to be in shape to be a firefighter. “Definitely not.”

I had no reason to see him again. Yet I was reluctant for him to leave.

There was something about him that had me intrigued. I hadn’t been interested in dating since the divorce. I was busy with work and Owen, and I never wanted my son to feel like he came second to my social life. I felt guilty enough that I couldn’t make things work with his dad.

His father and I had been partners, roommates at best, coming and going but never truly connecting anymore. When I suggested a separation, Eric hadn’t even protested. It was like we’d fallen out of love, and neither one of us wanted to acknowledge it. I wondered if he would have been happy staying together, never changing anything about our relationship.

“If you need any more help with fire prevention, call the fire department. Anyone will be happy to help.”

I had to remember that his was a professional courtesy. Jameson wasn’t interested in me, no matter how good he looked standing on my porch. I wanted to run my hand over the scruff on his jaw and through the silky strands on his head. Then I remembered that Jameson was waiting for me to say something. “I appreciate the house call.”

I almost winced. I already thanked him several times.

“Anytime,” Jameson said, flashing a smile that made my knees wobbly.

I had a feeling that Jameson was used to getting that reaction from women. He was a little too charming for his own good. He didn’t act any different around me. I wasn’t special. I was just a single mother he was helping. There was no way he was attracted to me.

Jameson turned and headed toward a blue truck that said Pine Valley Farms on the side.

“You work at the tree farm too?” I asked.

Jameson paused on the sidewalk. “It’s my family’s farm. I help during the season. All my brothers do.”

My eyes widened. “I didn’t realize.”

Just then, I saw Owen returning from his friend’s house, throwing the ball in the air and catching it. When he reached us, he said, “Logan had homework to do.”

---