Page 31 of That One Heartbreak

Addy had fallen asleep on Kate’s lap halfway through the show with a muffin in hand, which was some kind of miracle. And then Marley’s cousin, Grace, had made up a little makeshift bed with some blankets, and Kate had laid her daughter on them. Miracle of miracles, she hadn’t even woken up.

“I’ll wait for you at the car,” she added, because once they were in the car, both Addy and Ethan would probably fall asleep again. “Come find us when you’ve finished here.”

“You can go home without me if you want. I’ll get a ride or walk.”

She lifted a brow. “You’re not walking home. And I’m happy to wait.” The tone of her voice let him know she wasn’t looking for a debate on this one. Yes, he’d been on his best behavior tonight, but she was also very aware that he was still grounded.

Or at least he kind of was. Damn, this parenting thing was hard.

“Okay.” He nodded again. “I should get to cleaning.”

“Go for it.”

She turned around to walk back to the blankets and chairs where the Hartson family were all packing up. The blankets where Addy had been sleeping were gone. She looked around for her and then her heart did a little double take.

Marley was there with his parents. Holding a sleeping Addy in his arms. Her daughter had her own arms looped around his neck, her eyes closed tight as she nestled against his chest. Ethan was next to him, talking quickly, as Marley nodded.

And then his eyes caught hers. There was something wrong with her, she was certain. She felt a little dizzy, maybe a tad faint at the sight of her daughter in his arms.

She could hear the rustle of James’ trash bag as he started to fill it. Could feel the warmth of the breeze coming in from the creek. Her ears were ringing, likely from the music.

But all she could think about was how perfect that looked. Addy being held by a man again. How long had it been since somebody other than Kate had picked her up? And to be fair, Kate was finding it harder and harder. Her little girl wasn’t so little anymore, even if Marley made it look easy with his thick biceps and strong hands.

Somehow, she managed to propel herself over to where they were all standing.

“Mom and Grace wanted to clear up. We didn’t want to wake Addy,” Marley said softly. “This okay?”

Kate nodded. “I can take her now.” She held her arms out, so aware of how slender they were compared to his.

“It’s fine. I’ll carry her to the car for you.” His voice was soft enough not to wake Addy. “You lead the way, I’ll follow.”

She went to pick up her chair and the cooler.

“Leave them,” Marley told her. “I’ll come back for them. I can drop them over later tonight or tomorrow.”

“Shouldn’t you be packing up the stage?” she asked him.

“Pres and Cassie got it. Don’t sweat it.”

She opened her mouth to protest again, but she’d run out of excuses. The truth was she didn’t have any. From a practical point of view, him carrying Addy made sense.

From an emotional point of view? She didn’t want to think about that right now.

There were some battles you shouldn’t fight. Especially the ones with yourself.

It took them another five minutes to get to her car, mostly because the people in front of them were walking so slowly. Kate grabbed the keys from her purse and opened up the back door, and Marley gently set Addy in her booster seat.

“Jump in,” she told Ethan, because he could climb in himself. He ran around the other side and pulled open the door as Marley stepped back so Kate could fasten her daughter’s belt.

When the door was closed she turned to look at him. “Thank you,” she said. “For everything.”

“I didn’t do much.”

“Yes you did.” She swallowed hard. “And I appreciate it. It’s not always easy being a single mom with three kids.” It still felt strange saying it.Single mom.

But that’s what she was. And it’s how she lived her life. Juggling everything. Hoping she could catch it all on the way back down.

“Are you waiting here for James?” he asked her.

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