Page 10 of Here and Now
I grin. “I can see why that would be an issue.”
“Right, you see it as a dereliction of duty too? A father should at leasttryfor his son.”
“Well, I mean, sure.”
He smiles and my stomach clenches. Oh, I need to get a grip, and I definitely can’t be flirting.
I look down before meeting his gaze again.
“Are you settling into Ember Falls all right?” Miles asks.
“I think so. It’s only been a few weeks, but everyone has been really nice.”
Each person who comes into the coffee shop always makes a point to welcome me, tell me a little about them, and I swear everyone mentions a kid they know or have that would just love to meet Kai.
The last town we were in didn’t have that kind of feel. Everyone was nice enough, but no one talked to us unless they had to. In all honesty, I sort of liked it. When we had to pack up, I didn’t feel all that bad about it since I didn’t have any real connections.
“The townisfilled with really kind people. We don’t have a lot of people moving in, so when we get some new blood, the sharks tend to circle. I promise, they’ll move onto annoying someone else soon.”
I smile. “Good to know.”
“So where are you from?” he asks as we walk toward the rink.
“North Carolina. What about you?”
It’s not a lie, it’s where I spent a lot of my childhood. My family owned a beach house in Corolla, and it has always felt like home. It’s actually the first place that I went to after leaving my ex. However, it wasn’t hard for the people after me to find me, since the housewas in my name.
“I’m a born and bred Ember Fallsian. The only times I didn’t live here were when I left for college, and when I was a marine, but then I came back, and I have no intentions of leaving.”
I wish I could say the same. I really do like it here. The place is beautiful, with the mountains flanking the main area of town.
There’s one thing he said in there that piqued my interest. “You were a marine?”
Miles nods. “Once a marine—always a marine.”
I laugh because it’s something my brother would say. Before I can say anything, Ethan yells from the other side, impatience written all over his face.
“Uncle Miles! Come on! It’s time to skate!”
“You better go, six-year-old boys are very demanding.”
“Yes, and nothing says a fun summer day more than giving them a stick and telling them to skate around.”
I let out a soft laugh. “Good luck to you.”
He gives me a two-finger salute. “I’m going to need it.”
Yeah, he really is.
“Mom, did you see how good I did?” Kai asks, buzzing with excitement.
“I did. You were amazing.”
“I was! I hit the puck four times and got it in twice! I can skate good too.”
I won’t mention that there wasn’t a goalie. “I saw.”
He throws his gear down on the ground beside me. “I’m such a good hockey player, and Ethan wants to be on my team with me next practice. I love hockey, Mom.”
