Page 23 of Everlasting Promises

Rex looks up at Ben with pure adoration for his …owner … boss … dad? I don’t know. They seem more like friends and equals than dog and master.

When we step inside, the staff call out their hellos to Rex like he is an actual celebrity. Ben tells Evan to grab a cart, and we make our way through the store. He adds more to the cart than I would have expected for a simple lunch of burgers. Suspicion grows when he asks Evan what some of his favorite snacks are and adds them to the cart as we go. “Were you really having burgers?” I wave my hand out toward the cart.

He looks down and shrugs. “Yeah. I need to get groceries for a few days because I’m back on days this week and won’t have time to shop. Hope you don’t mind.” That still doesn’t explain why he’s grabbing some of Evan’s favorite foods.

“Of course not. Do what you need to do. If we’re in the way, let us know.”

“You’re not in the way. I’m almost finished,” he says smoothly.

“What should I grab for dessert?”

Evan’s eyes light up. “Can we get apple pie, Mom?”

I glance up at Ben, about to ask him if he likes apple pie, when he freezes on the spot. “You like apple pie?” he asks Evan with wide eyes.

“Uh, duh. Who doesn’t?” Evan responds.

“Exactly. Let’s go get apple pie.”

“It won’t be as good as Mom’s homemade apple pie, but it’ll have to do this time.” I hear Evan gush over my apple pie to Ben as they walk away, and I smirk to myself. My kid is a fiend for sweets. Completely my fault since I love to bake.

“Really? Do you think your mom will make me an apple pie?” Ben asks.

“I don’t see why she wouldn’t, if you ask nicely.” He looks up at Ben. “Mom bakes all kinds of things. She’s really good at it.” I should feel annoyed that Evan’s volunteering my baking services. Instead, I feel warmth filling my chest that he loves my baking.

We grab the apple pie and ice cream, and Ben pays for everything, even though I try my best to keep the dessert items separate. So now we’re still turning up at his house empty-handed.

11

HOPE

When we pullinto the driveway behind Ben, I barely hold in a gasp when my eyes land on his gorgeous home. A sweet bungalow with stonework at the base, pale blue weatherboard with white trim, and black shingles covering the roof—and it’s only one street away from the beach.

Climbing out of the car, Evan makes his way straight to Ben’s car, releasing Rex from the passenger seat, but I can’t tear my eyes from the home in front of me. The guys carry the groceries into the house, and I finally get myself into gear and grab the last bag from the trunk.

“You have a beautiful ho—” The words fade into the ether when I see the view spread out in front of me. The entire back of his home is glass. Vast windows overlook the ocean that seems to go on forever. Dazzling blue water dances beneath the sun.

Huh?That’s weird.

The water hasn’t looked that blue in such a long time. He must have some type of film on the glass that enhances the colors.

Ben looks back at me with a grin after opening the glass folding patio doors to let the ocean breeze in. “Nice, huh?”

Nope. No film on the glass. The water really is that blue.Wow!

“It’s gorgeous. I love the ocean, but with my fair skin and freckles, I don’t get to enjoy it as much as I’d like.”

“Rex and I run along the beach every day, and he loves to play in the waves,” he tells me as he unpacks the groceries. I push my way in and unload the bags to make myself feel useful. I can’t just stand around gawking at the beautiful view while he does all the work. “Ev, you wanna take Rex out back and play with him while I sort this out and get the burgers started?”

“Sure.” He pats his thigh. “C’mon, boy.”

They disappear through the door, leaving me alone with Ben. I put the cold food in the fridge and freezer, noting his preference for healthy foods, while Ben puts everything else away. Then he gathers what he needs to make the burger patties.

“How can I help?”

“You wanna put the fries in the air fryer and slice the buns?”

“Sure.”

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