Page 30 of Moonlight Feels Right
But as she'd suggested, he was going to stay in the present, because he had no idea what the future held for him. He was going to worry about that later.
After paying the check, they headed back to Ocean Shores. As they neared the entrance, he said, "What are you up to the rest of the day?"
"I need to put together my lesson plan for next week. I'll probably work on that. I need to distract myself from tomorrow."
When they entered the courtyard, he saw an excited puppy jumping up between Lexie and Josie that immediately drew Olivia's attention.
"Can I go see the dog?" Olivia asked eagerly.
"He's friendly," Lexie said, overhearing Olivia's question. "We're just watching him until Frank gets back from having lunch with his daughter."
As they moved closer to the table, Olivia dropped to her knees to pet the puppy, who started licking her. She laughed in delight, and he smiled at the happiness on her face.
He looked over at Emmalyn, who gave him a soft smile. "It's the little things, isn't it?" she said. "That bring us the most pleasure."
"It is," he admitted.
"Where are you three coming from?" Lexie asked.
"Just got lunch," Emmalyn said vaguely. "I have to get some work done. I'll see you all later."
As she moved a few steps away, he quickly followed. "Wait, Emmalyn."
She paused, giving him a questioning look. "What?"
He looked back to make sure they were out of earshot, then said, "You're meeting your mom and aunt tomorrow at a farmers' market?"
"Yes. Why?" she asked, stiffening at his question.
"Do you want company? Not for the actual meeting," he added quickly. "But for the drive, for moral support? Olivia and I could come with you. We can check out the market while you're having your meeting."
She stared at him, genuinely surprised. "Why would you want to do that?"
"Because it seems like a difficult situation and maybe you'd want some company?"
She hesitated for a long minute. "I feel like I should say no. I don't know what's going to happen. And Olivia…" She shook her head. "It's too complicated."
"Olivia will be fine. She'll love going to a farmers' market. You can have your meeting and we'll be there when you're done. I assume if your mother agrees to go, she will leave with your aunt. Or were you planning to go with your aunt to the market?"
"No. We're coming from opposite directions, so we're meeting there."
He nodded, not sure why he was pushing so hard, but he hated the idea of her facing a potentially painful situation on her own. Since she hadn't told any of her friends about this, he was the only one who could offer to support her, and she'd been helping him so much, it seemed the right thing to do. "Why don't you come with Olivia and me? I promise we won't get in the way."
"You're very persistent." She gave him a puzzled look. "I don't get it, Hunter. You've tried to stay out of everything. Now you want to get into the middle of my crazy situation?"
"I don't want you to do it alone."
"Says the man who has been recovering alone for months. It worked for you."
"Maybe not as much as I would like to think it did," he said candidly. "I've actually felt a lot better since I started talking to people, since I started talking to you, in particular."
She met his gaze with surprise. "Really?"
"I'm as shocked as you are," he said with a shrug. "But apparently being forced to parent a six-year-old has been good for me."
A smile slowly curved her lips. "I think it has been, Hunter."
"You've played a big part in helping me be a good temporary guardian. Let me help you."
