Page 45 of Returning to Everton

“Yeah, I remember that why?” he retorts.

“Because she was asking herself if you really thought of her like that. Apparently, she can almost believe you have feelings for her when you look at her a certain way,” I inform him. “So, I would keep looking at her like you’re in love with her. Maybe she’ll figure it out,” I suggest with a laugh.

“Oh I can definitely do that,” Nate asserts. “Hell, it’s hard not to look at her like that. Guess I’ll just stop holding myself back.”

“I wouldn’t go quite that far,” I chuckle.

“Okay, maybe you’re right. She’s probably not exactly ready for unrestrained Nate.” We all laugh at that.

“I don’t think anyone is ready for unrestrained Nate,” I counter.

“Yeah, me either,” Hudson chimes in. “I’m glad I came today. This little outing has been rather eye-opening,” Hudson says.

“Yes, it has,” I agree, and we continue to sit there and watch Rowen play with the kids on the playground.

18

Rowen

“Okay y’all, this momma is tired. I haven’t played like this in so long,” I try to catch my breath after spending the past hour playing pirates with the kids. I have to say this playground is awesome, but I’m ready to go home and get some rest.

“Violet! Time to go!” I holler at her from the table and turn to look at the guys. “Any volunteers to walk Violet and drive me home? I can’t walk that far or I might die. You don’t want that do you?” I pout.

“Well, I drove so I can give you a ride Rowen,” Declan offers.

“I haven’t spent any time with Violet. Do you think she’d be comfortable with me walking her home?” Hudson asks. He’s so thoughtful. Is it really any wonder I love that man?

“I can walk with y’all if it makes her more comfortable,” Nate offers. “We’ve gotten pretty close today.”

Logan and Violet come running up to us panting. “Do... we...have to Mommy?” Violet gets out between breaths.

“Yes, sweetie. Mommy is tired. It’s time to go home. Plus we still have to finish unpacking,” I tell her.

Her shoulders sag. “Okay, Mommy.”

“Nate and Hudson are going to walk you home. Mommy’s catching a ride from Declan,” I tell her.

“Okay, Mommy. Who’s Hudson?” she asks.

I look at the guys. “Did we seriously not introduce you Hud?” I ask.

“I guess not, too much excitement between the goodies and the magical playground,” he chuckles.

“Violet, this is Mommy’s good friend Hudson. He owns the bakery in town,” I inform her.

“Oh! The one you’re going to work at Mommy?” she asks excitedly.

Hudson decides to answer that for me. “Yup. We agreed this morning. As soon as she’s ready to start, the job is hers.”

“That’s so cool! Are you going to sell unicorn poop cookies Mommy?” she asks me excitedly.

The guys all sputter at that. Guess they haven’t heard of unicorn poop cookies before. I smile as I look at Hudson. “Do you get many kids in your bakery?”

“Well yeah... why? Kids like to eat poop?” he teases.

“Unicorn poop cookies are my favorite!” Violet exclaims.

The guys look at me like maybe my daughter is crazy. “They really are. We make them all the time.” I turn to Violet, “Would you like for Mommy to sell your favorite cookies? You think other kids in town would like them?”

---