Page 23 of More Than a Little Spark

Ava sets Clara down and hands her a cookie.“A friend?It’ll be a mess if you try to take the tacos on a plate.Let me get you a better container.You need two?”

The guys have all told stories about how Ava got excited when they met someone special.And now, as the only single guy, I’m seeing the same thing.

“Please.I’ll eat at the house with her.”

Ava fills two containers, then adds dessert to another smaller one.“If you want a Coke or something to take her, you know where they are.Enjoy your lunch.”She’s grinning from ear to ear.

Why couldn’t I have won the mom lottery and ended up with someone like Ava?At least I’m here now.

I step around the counter and give her a hug.“Thank you.”

She pats my back.“Anytime.And she’s always welcome.There’s always enough.”

“Appreciate it.”I gather the containers and walk to the table.

Kent and Poppy have heard everything.

Grinning, he raises an eyebrow.“Poppy and I wondered if maybe Fred wanted to stay over again this weekend.”

“That’d be great.”

Poppy leans forward.“Rose’s friend?”

I nod.“We’re going to go on a date, but since I’m not sure how this will go, I don’t want Fred to know.At least not right now.”

She rubs Kent’s arm.“When kids are in the middle, it makes things more complicated.”

He laces his fingers with hers.“A little, but it worked for us.However, I completely get why you want to wait.Just plan on us keeping Fred Saturday evening for an overnight.”

“Thanks.”I stride out to my truck, then shoot Daphne a message.

Me:Hungry?I’m bringing you a taco plate and lemon bars.

Daphne sends a heart in response.

She’s sitting up when I get to the house.

“I know you wanted to nap, but the food was hot.Well, not the lemon bars.Those aren’t hot.”

“Tacos sound amazing.Thank you.”She pats the cushion beside her.“Come sit.”

I ease onto the couch, then set the containers aside.“You really should elevate that foot.Why don’t you put it up here on my lap?”

“You don’t want my foot right there while you eat.”

“If it means you won’t be in as much pain, then I do.”I shift her legs so that her feet are resting in my lap.Then I hand her food.“Ava tucked a fork in there for the rice and beans.”

“This is a feast.You are seriously amazing.”

“Ava’s great.She keeps us all fed.Goldie too.Have you ever met Ava?She’s what I wish my mom was like.”

Daphne gives me a knowing smile.“I met her at the wedding.She’s darling.And I know what you mean.Once upon a time, my mom was great.But she was a different person after my dad died.It was like I lost both of them that day.”

“Sorry about that.I’m glad Fred is getting to live around people like this.He doesn’t talk much about what life was like before, but it wasn’t good.That’s something I love about the ranch.It’s like a family.”

“That’s what Rose says.”

Talking about our dysfunctional families isn’t smile-inducing conversation.So I find a new topic.“How long do you have to be off your foot?And what about your job?”

---