Page 25 of Seeing You

“That’s what my dad says…”

“That’s because it’s true.” Reaching out, he gently ruffled the boy’s hair. “Go have fun on the ATV trails, and thanks for letting me hang out with you for a little while.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?”

Marcus caught the slight shake of Billie’s head and matched it with a small nod of acknowledgement. “Thanks, but like your aunt said, I want to check some things out before I leave.”

“Oh, are you heading back to D.C.?” she casually asked.

He was supposed to leave tomorrow—nothing was set in stone, but that was the plan. He and Max had figured some things out about their father’s care, and there wasn’t a reason for Marcus to stay.

But…

“I’m not sure,” he told her. “I can work remotely, and Max and I are helping Dad out with a few things. We’re going to discuss it all over dinner tonight.”

“Tell John I said hello and that I promise to have the caramel coffee cake for him when he comes in next week.”

That made him laugh softly. “I never remembered him being so obsessed with cakes and cookies, but he certainly sings your praises daily—while eating the cake and cookies he got from you.”

Her smile was beautiful. “That’s a high compliment,” she said. “He told me the same thing the first time he came into Books & Beans. I think he bought a piece of cake just to be supportive, but he’s been back once a week ever since. Even afterthe accident, if he didn’t come in, he sent someone and made sure they told me it was for him.”

So many questions were on the tip of his tongue, but Silas was slowly walking away while quietly asking if she was ready to go. That was his cue.

“Anyway, thanks for letting me ride the coaster with you. It was fun.”

The knowing grin was back. “Uh-huh.” She leaned in so Silas couldn’t hear and whispered, “You were as pale as a ghost when you came to a stop, but Silas didn’t notice.”

Another small laugh. “Well, I had to look a little like a badass. Couldn’t let him see me freaking out.”

“I thought you said you ride thrill rides now,” she reminded him.

“Yeah, well…I might have exaggerated.”

She arched a brow.

Now it was his turn to lean in. “Couldn’t prove you right that they still give me anxiety attacks.”

“But you…”

Taking a step back, Marcus held up a hand and waved. “Have fun with your nephew, and take care of yourself, Billie.”

And before he did something stupid like ask if he could spend the rest of the day with them, he turned and walked away.

Chapter Five

After the Monday morning rush, Billie was refilling the display case when she felt Jade watching her. Placing the last of the muffins in the case, she turned. “Something on your mind, Jade?”

Smiling coyly, she said, “A little birdie told me that you and Silas had some company while you were up at the lodge this weekend—a certain former fiancé. Care to tell me about it?”

Rolling her eyes, she walked back to the kitchen and put the muffin pan in the sink and washed it.

Jade strolled in behind her.

“I think your son told you everything,” she reasoned. “And there wasn’t much to tell. Silas ran into Marcus while we were racing and…”

“You were racing with Silas? Why?”

Ugh…me and my big mouth.

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