Page 18 of Wood You Knot

“Here’s to a successful first day for the both of us,” I cheered with a grin, lifting my glass toward Daphne. She picked hers up, and we clinked our glasses together before we each took a sip. I hadn’t realized how thirsty I was until the cold liquid hit my tongue.

Daphne sipped at her tea, her green eyes taking in the busy restaurant and all the patrons. Conversations were buzzing all around us, with patrons calling out to one another in recognition, trading bits of gossip and news. A group of girls close to Daphne’s age sat a few tables over, dressed in matching soccer uniforms.

My daughter sent a longing glance at them, and I knew she was thinking about her old soccer team in Guelph. I made a mental note to investigate local teams.

“I want to hear all about your day. Did it help to know Bella and Brielle ahead of time?”

“I guess so. I had them to play with, at least. And Riley,” Daphne replied, her little shoulder lifting in a shrug. “I still miss my old friends and my old school.”

“That’s okay; you can miss your old friends and enjoy getting to know your new ones,” I assured her, a gentle smile playing on my lips.

Daphne looked as if she hadn’t considered that. “Okay.”

“Mr. Robertson seems nice,” I commented, trying to press her for more details and discreetly change the subject from her old school and friends to the new one.

I didn’t want to ignore that she missed our old home, but I knew there wasn’t much we could do about it. Guelph was four hours away, and although Zoey and Chloe’s mothers both promised to keep in touch for the sake of the girls, we’d never been particularly close.

“He is,” Daphne replied.

“It was Riley’s first day at a new school too. I bet she was thankful to meet you. It probably made starting at a new school a little easier for you both.”

“Yeah, Mr. Robertson paired us together since everyone else already had partners.”

“Is she nice?”

“Yes, and quiet,” Daphne answered. “Bella and Brielle talk a lot; sometimes it’s hard to keep up with them.”

I smiled. If they were anything like their uncles, I believed that. The Hutchinsons were a boisterous group. Their antics had always fascinated me.

Before I could drill her some more, Emily returned with two plates. The cheeseburger was the size of Daphne’s face. Her eyes went wide when the waitress placed it in front of her.

“One cheeseburger with fries and one cheeseburger with onion rings,” Emily said with a flourish, a huge grin on her face. She grabbed a bottle of ketchup and mustard out of her apron and set them down on the table between us. “Let me know if you ladies need anything else.”

“Thank you.” I smiled. Emily walked off to deal with another table, and I got Daphne situated, cutting her burger into quarters. We both dug into our meals, and I had to stop myself from moaning when the delicious flavours hit my tongue.

“This is the best cheeseburger ever,” Daphne declared after taking several bites. I beamed at her, finding mine every bit as good.

We were halfway through our meals when the door chimed, and in walked Nix Hutchinson. He was by himself and dressed in his work clothes. He made his way over to the service counter and exchanged a few friendly words with Emily while she rang his order in and handed him a takeout bag.

He spotted us on his way out, and his face broke into a huge grin as he made his way over to our table. “Good evening, ladies.” His warm brown eyes went to me first, then settled on my daughter as he gave her his full attention. “How was your first day at school, Daph?”

“It was good,” Daphne replied, eyeing Nix with equal parts suspicion and interest.

Nix nodded, his gaze moving back to me. Daphne watched with hawk-like intensity. “And how about you, Sage? How was your first day at the hardware store?”

The way the corner of his lip kicked up in a half smile sent a tingle of awareness down my spine.

“Good,” I replied, feeling that weird swooping sensation of attraction as he looked at me. I pushed that feeling away, rejecting it on principle.

I wasn’t here to get myself into another relationship with a man. I was here to get back on my own two feet again. To build a life for my daughter that nothing could uproot.

I didn’t have time for the swooping butterflies in my belly or the racing heart. Nix was just extending kindness to us, making us feel welcome in a new town. I appreciated him for it, but I was angry at myself for my reaction to his attention.

“That’s good to hear. Any special plans to celebrate?”

“We’re going to the beach,” Daphne supplied, a smile coming to her lips. “You should come with us!”

“Maybe another time, Daph. I’m sure Nix wants to get home and unwind,” I said quickly.

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