Page 9 of Only One I Ever Wanted

I glanced down at him. “And you didn’t lead with that when I asked about school?”

He shrugged.

I sucked back a sigh.

Just how long was it going to take before he started thinking of me as his dad and not some stranger babysitting him?

“Well, that sounds very exciting. I hope she didn’t have it in the classroom.”

Danny giggled. “No. But Mr. Phillips came running in to get her.” Danny glanced at me. “He’s the science teacher at the high school.”

“Guess that was a bit exciting then.” My mom swiped his overlong bangs out of his eyes.He didn’t shy away from her touch.

Danny popped a grape-shaped gummy in his mouth. “Yeah. We got out of taking our math test. Worked for me.”

I laughed. “Did you study?”

He nodded. “Yeah, easy stuff.”

My mom glanced at me with a pride-tinged smile. “Of course, my grandson is crazy talented.”

“Oh, brother,” my dad muttered, but he winked at Danny. “Crazy-smart is more like it.”

Currently we were wading a bit deep in the shit in kitchen, but seeing Danny’s bright smile was worth it. “We were wondering if we could crash in on your dinner tonight, Ma.”

“Absolutely. I have chili in the crock pot.” She brushed her hand over my shoulder with a delighted smile.

I usually felt guilty horning in on dinner, but my mom always made it sound as if it was her favorite thing when we stopped by.

“Sully says the Baker girl is back in town.”

My mom’s eyebrows shot up, gave me a quizzical look for a second and realization bloomed. “Nora Baker? My goodness, how’s she doing?” She went over to the sink and filled a pot. “You guys want it over pasta, rice, or potatoes?”

“Which chili?” I peeked around Danny.

“Cincinnati.”

“Pasta,” my dad and I said together.

She laughed. “Not sure why I bothered asking.” She put the pot on the stove and turned it on. “Is she just visiting?”

I shook my head. “No, she’s renting a house.”

“Booker too?”

I shook my head. “They split.”

She went over to make herself a cup of coffee. “Is that right?”

“Simmer down,” I muttered. “Dad already started in on that.”

“There are plenty of other single women in this town, Sullivan.”

As if I needed taking care of a woman on top of my current situation. “I’m perfectly happy with just me and Danny. Right, buddy?”

He shrugged.

“Way to be supportive.”

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