Page 5 of Falling for Love

“Some guy came in with his foot turned one way and his knee the other. I let him go first.” He looked up as we approached, smiling at Hayden. “How’d it go?”

“Easy!” Hayden said proudly. “They pulled it right out.”

Liam grinned. “Tough guy. You’re making me look bad.”

“Oh, I think you’re doing a great job of that on your own,” I teased, gesturing to his bandaged hand.

The nurse called Liam’s name, and he laughed, standing up.

“Fair enough. Hey, want to stick around and watch me get stitches? It’s the highlight of the day.” He glanced at Hayden, and I couldn’t help but smile.

My little guy glanced up at me for an answer.

“Tempting, but I think we’ll pass,” I said, chuckling. “Good luck, though. Try not to lose a finger.”

“I’ll do my best,” he said with a wink, then turned to Hayden. “Take care of that nose, buddy. No more carrots, okay?”

“But I want to see stitches.” My son eyed me.

“Nah, we’ve got dinner waiting.” I softly squeezed his shoulder.

Hayden giggled. “Okay. Fine.”

As we walked to the car, Hayden looked up at me thoughtfully. The chill in the air made us walk faster than usual. “Mom, do you think Liam’s going to be okay?”

I nodded, opening the car door for Hayden. “Oh, I’m sure he’ll be fine. He’s tough, just like you.”

“Do you like him?” Hayden asked, his voice innocent but curious.

The question caught me off guard, and I hesitated for a moment before answering.

“He’s a good guy,” I said carefully. “Why do you ask?”

Hayden shrugged as I helped him into the booster seat.

“He makes you laugh. And I think he likes you.”

I snickered.

He frowned and shook his head. “What’s so funny?”

I shrugged and let out a sigh. “You’re just too perceptive for seven, but I love that about you.”

Hayden had met Liam briefly when we’d banded together as a town and chased out a big hotel corporation that threatened Buttercup Lake’s charming way of life. But other than that, he hadn’t really even known I’d been out with him.

But apparently, he knew more than I realized since he yelled out the wordboyfriendin the waiting room.

Maybe I talked in my sleep.

The thought sent a chill through me.

“I bet he’d rather eat your bratwursts than his soup.” He tugged on my hand and looked back at the building. “Invite him over.”

“Whoa,” I said, laughing.

“Come on. I want to see him get stitches.”

I stopped and looked at the cutest little boy in the world.

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