Page 69 of Carpenter's Christmas Bride

“But not at camp,” Walt said, sounding worried.

“Definitely not,” Aidan told him. “Did you have fun at camp?”

“I had to sit on the bench,” Walt said, looking ashamed.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Aidan told him, barely holding in his fury. Did those silly kids really think that making an energetic child sit on a bench would make him less likely to go bananas? “Well, you will not sit on the bench tomorrow. We’ll do something fun.”

Walt hugged him hard, and Aidan drank in the sweetness of his little boy. One day, Walt would be too cool to hug his dad. But for now, Aidan was going to enjoy every minute.

He headed downstairs, thinking about all the fun things he could do with Walt to make up for that terrible camp experience. A pony ride at Cassidy Farm would be fun, or maybe they could go for a hike around the Williams Homestead. Things over there were probably getting intense with Emma’s wedding happening, but the trails were still open as far as Aidan knew, and the family could probably use the income from more visitors, after all, it was their first year open to the public.

He took a moment to admire their own tree with all the ornaments Walt had made with Aunt Leticia and Uncle Simon, and the one that now held the picture of Kenzie with the mall Santa. It made him think of how great it was to see Kenzie smile with shining eyes as they got her tree decorated tonight.

It would be really fun to take her out dancing, and to sporting events, and all the things she had missed. And maybe they both deserved a little fun.

His cell phone buzzed in his pocket, and he took it out, hoping it was her. His ex-wife’s name popped up instead. She had called a couple of times the last few weeks, but never left a message.

He wasn’t proud of himself for ignoring the calls, but if it was an emergency, or she wanted to speak with Walt, she would leave a message. If it wasn’t for that, then he didn’t really want to talk to her. The way she was abandoning his son hurt so much that just the sight of her contact on his phone screen made him angry.

But tonight, he was feeling different—hopeful.

He slid his thumb across the screen to pick up.

“Hey,” he said, mentally reminding himself to stay calm and patient.

“Aidan,” she said, sounding surprised. “You picked up.”

“Sorry,” he told her. “We’ve been off our routine lately. What’s up?”

There was a pause, and he could hear her inhale.

“I… didn’t like the way our last conversation went,” she said after a moment. “I wanted to apologize. I was a little stressed out and I guess I was feeling defensive. But you deserve a better explanation of what’s going on with Lonny and me.”

“Okay,” he said. “I’m listening.”

“My pregnancy is high-risk,” she told him. “My sugar is high, and my blood pressure isn’t looking great either. I haven’t been allowed to work, and my job in Philly wouldn’t cover any leave because I didn’t have enough hours.”

Sharon had been working at a chain drugstore on an hourly basis. Aidan believed her that they wouldn’t help her out.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” he said, meaning it.

“And Lonny didn’t just get a new job offer here,” she went on. “He got downsized from his old job. He tried really hard to find work in Philly for Walt’s sake, and for his own, in case the band got back together. But when he got the Chicago offer, he had to take it. We need health insurance or I… well, in my situation, it’s something we really need.”

He could hear her voice lifting slightly and her breathing change, like she was trying hard not to cry.

“Sharon, I’m so sorry,” Aidan breathed. “I have savings. I can help you guys out if you need it.”

“That’s… that’s so generous,” she said. “And so like you to be kind even after all I’ve put you through. But we’ll be okay, and I know those savings are for Walt. Besides, you could run into your own issues one day. I know it’s not easy to be a single parent. At least I have Lonny.”

He exhaled and bit his lip, feeling like a complete jerk for assuming the worst of Sharon. What she lacked in impulse control, she always made up for in heart and bravery. It was what he had liked about her when they were kids.

“Anyway,” she told him. “I was just busy feeling sorry for myself and trying to hold onto my pride when I talked to you about the move. I know I let you think I didn’t care about our son. I feel awful about it, Aidan. I want you to know I love Walt and I can only do this because I know he’s in the very best hands. But I’ll try to do better at staying in touch, even though we’ll be far away.”

“That would be great,” he told her honestly. “I know he would love to talk to you, even if it’s just a phone call. And I’m sorry for the situation, but I’m glad you and Lonny have each other’s backs.”

“I hope you find your person one day too,” she told him.

“I might have,” he heard himself admit with a smile.

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