Page 127 of Recipe for Rivals

He’s worked so hard.Who did Grandpa think he was talking to now? It hardly mattered. I nodded, reeling. “Okay, well, have a good nap.”

He lowered himself onto his bed and pointed at me. “I like that one. Always choose a woman who can best you at games. You’ve got a smart one, here.”

A smile bent my lips. “I do.”

When I got back to the hallway, Nova was watching me with concern. Smart one, indeed. I’d left the door open, and she must have understood enough of the madness that had transpired in there to know it was a big deal. “How are you?” she asked, like she would burn the place down if I needed her to.

“Confused. If he had a way to contact them, why didn’t…” That question answered itself. He had been faced with the same dilemma Nova had: subject the kids to a crappy parent or protect them from the pain of repeated rejection? In this case, my grandpa had chosen to protect me in the way he thought was best. I didn’t have to agree with his choice to appreciate that he’d made it out of love for me.

Then again, Carter wasn’t a deadbeat drug addict, so it wasn’t entirely the same. But it was enough.

She crossed the hallway and pulled me in for a hug. “I’m sorry.”

“I’ve always pictured them living in a tent in North Carolina, but I’ve also wondered if they were dead. Fifteen years is a long time to go with no contact. Is my dad alone out there somewhere?”

“Give it time and question him again. You can have the answers you need if you want them.”

I nodded, pulling her closer. “I’m pretty sure I love you.”

“You should. I’m very smart.”

I chuckled, taking her hand and pulling her away. “Let’s go home. I want to watch you decorate cookies.”

“Okay, weirdo. But you aren’t eating any.”

“Not even one?”

“You can have the rejects.”

I pulled her to my side and kissed the top of her head. “How about we take the rejects to dinner at Tucker’s tonight? He and June invited us.”

She smiled at me. “Sounds good. But first, if you’re coming over, I need your help with something.”

“Anything.”

“We ran out of jam this morning when I was making the kids’ lunches. I’ve got another jar in the fridge?—”

I flexed for her, making her laugh. “Say no more.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

NOVA

NINE MONTHS LATER

How didI get roped into making cookies for another elementary school science fair? Trish hadn’t talked to me since the last time she’d tried to weasel information about my divorce, yet here I was, willingly offering cookies to a school event. Though since the PTA president came over almost weekly now to watchThe Bachelorand taste whatever new thing I’d baked, it wasn’t a surprise I’d get roped into this.

It was February now and frigid outside. My breath clouded before me as I carried my rockets, planets, and astronauts into the school, passing a police officer on his way out.

“Thanks, Chad,” I said, offering him a smile as he held the door.

He gave me a nod and continued on. I didn’t know if he felt like I was another thing he’d lost against Dusty, but ever since the Battle of the Badges last year, he hadn’t been as friendly.

His loss.

“Good afternoon, Ms. Walker,” Ms. Corbin said from the front desk, her hair not shifting even the slightest as she moved.

“I’m here to help set up for the fair.”

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