Page 64 of When Love Is Lost and Found

"You call her Shay, but her name is Sharon."

"I like Shay better."

When we walk back into the sanctuary, Sharon and Loren are in deep conversation with Patrick, who is showing them his bass guitar and his bright smile.

"Holy hell," I whisper under my breath.

"Ooh, you said a bad word," Noah says under his breath.

"Don't tell on me, Buddy, okay?"

We reach the group just as Patrick is saying his goodbyes.

"See you Saturday," he says as he turns to walk away.

"What's happening Saturday?" I ask.

"Patrick is taking Sharon to the farmers’ market in Cold Spring."

I feel the floor crumbling underneath my feet.

"You agreed to go out with him?" I ask, sounding jealous and incredulous.

"Can we talk about this later?" Sharon asks, glancing at Noah.

"I wanna go to the farmers’ market," Noah says.

"Well, maybe I can take you, Noah," I say, looking directly at Sharon.

"Are you two going to take Noah and me out to lunch, or are you going to stand here arguing all day?"

"We're not arguing!" we both exclaim at once.

She shakes her head and giggles.

"Did you drive to church this morning?" I ask Loren.

"No, I came with friends. I already told them you'd take me home."

For lunch, we drive to Cold Spring and go to Round Up, where they serve barbecue ribs, smoked brisket, and Noah's favorite, mac and cheese.

Loren keeps the conversation going by telling us all about her grandkids and great grandkids, but the tension between Sharon and me is palpable.

"My son has been begging me for years to sell the house and move to California so I can be close to them. Now that I'm getting older, the prospect doesn't seem like such a bad idea."

"Would you move in with them?" Sharon asks.

"Oh no, Honey. I would get my own place down there."

***

After lunch, we go for a walk on Main Street. With all the unique stores and charming antique shops, there's plenty to see to keep us entertained for the rest of the afternoon.

On the way home after dropping off Loren, Sharon is quiet.

"Are you mad at me?" I finally ask, parking the van in the driveway.

Her silence answers my question. I open the back door and pull a sleeping Noah out of his seat.

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