Page 41 of Summer with a Single Dad

“Done!” Hudson said, pulling me from the unsolved mystery.

“You’re right, buddy. I like the strawberry best, too,” I said.

“But they’re both good,” he said. “When can we go get more?”

“You know what, son?”

“What?” The way he cocked his head reminded me of Kayla, and my heart swelled.

Thinking of her now, looking at my son and seeing parts of her reflected in him, didn’t sting the way they did before.

For the first time since her passing, I felt peace. I also felt love. Kayla’s love for me radiated through our son.

Savannah’s words echoed, and I finallyheardthem.

“Daddy?” Hudson’s voice came through. “Can we see Emily and the dogs?”

“Yes. We’re going to go get her and go to the farmer’s market.”

Emily might be able to reject me. But I knew she couldn’t say no to Hudson.

My notion proved true when she opened the door.

Her eyes said she was busy, but her mouth had her inviting us in.

“We ran out of strawberry jam, and I told Hudson about the farmer’s market where we bought it.”

“We have to get some more,” Hudson said.

“Did you taste the blueberry one?” Emily asked him.

“We don’t have that.”

“You don’t?” Emily met my eyes.

My cheeks burned with my guilty chuckle. “I might have eaten it.”

She couldn’t help her laugh as she asked, “You ate it all by yourself?”

I shrugged. “It was really good.”

“Maybe your dad will share it this time,” she told Hudson.

“Maybe,” he answered.

“We can get two jars this time, just in case.”

“Can we bring the dogs?” he asked.

“Maybe we’ll leave them here,” Emily said. “We can get them some treats. I know this really cool stand that has all kinds of stuff for them.”

“Just treats,” I said. “Luke has toys coming out of his ears.”

“So do they,” she said, pointing her chin to Moose and Rufus.

After making sure the dogs had everything they needed while we were out, we piled into my truck and headed to the farmer’s market.

Even with Hudson and music as our buffers in the confined space, Emily’s quiet anxiety was intense. Thankfully, it was a quick trip.

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