Page 25 of Second Chance at Love (Chance At Love Duet 1)

Kristoff’s mom chuckled. “Why don’t you all come to lunch with us?”

“Ah, no.” I hurried up.

But Saoirse was acting like I hadn’t spoken at all. “Can we sit outside? We went hiking.”

“Thank you very much but we can’t join you,” I said. “We will actually just do something quick. The kids will be getting tired soon, and I don’t want us to ruin your lunch.”

I was trying so hard to avoid Kristoff’s look, pulling Saoirse away from him but the kid would not let go of him, and all the while Sierra was holding onto me with the tight grip. My youngest one never liked strangers. Some days, like today, I preferred that over too much friendliness.

“Don’t be silly, my dear,” Kristoff’s mother insisted. Her smile was inviting and warm. “We would love it if you’d join us. It is my birthday so you would make my day. It’s been so long since I was around kids, and your little ones are adorable.”

I looked desperately at Sienna. I wasn’t sure why because all my oldest one cared about was her phone, boyfriend, and food. And at this moment, she was staring at her phone.

“Gemma.” Kristoff’s eyes were piercing me. “Why don’t you just have lunch with us? You were getting ready to have lunch anyhow, and so were we.”

I exhaled. I couldn’t tell him I needed one more day to recover from yesterday. “Ah, we are really not dressed for it,” I said. “We just did seven miles through the woods and I am sure…”

“Nonsense,” Kristoff’s mother cut in. “You’ll come with us. No excuses...” Then she looked at Saoirse. “We’ll be sure to sit outside.”

“Yeah,” she squealed and started jumping again before she grabbed the woman's hand. I shook my head. I really have to talk to her more firmly about strangers.

The woman turned her head to me, and said, “By the way, my name is Lena… Lena Baldwin.”

“Nice to meet you. Gemma Rose,” I answered her back.

I looked at Kristoff, and he motioned for me to walk. Then I looked at Sienna, who was still lost in her phone.

“Sienna,” I said. She looked up, and I added. “We’ll be having lunch with my boss and his mother.” She shrugged and went in front of us following Saoirse holding Lena’s hand, while Kristoff and I walked together, with Sierra clutching my hand in between the two of us.

Of course, lunch wasn’t at the bistro. And the restaurant that had reservations for two only, quickly changed it to a reservation for six and seating outside. I could tell it was an expensive restaurant. Kristoff and his mother fit in perfectly with their elegance and expensive clothing.

My kids and I stood out like a sore thumb. We were dressed for hiking, not eating out. I was so irritated that my whole day got interrupted by Kristoff’s rendezvous.

We were seated when I muttered again, “We are really not dressed appropriately to eat here.”

“Ah, my dear,” Lena said happily. “Don’t worry about that. I can say you look better than most ladies here.”

I frowned, looked around, and wondered if Kristoff’s mother needed glasses.

“Do you often go hiking?” Kristoff asked. I was agitated that I had to spend time with him today, and even more that he was getting a glimpse into my personal life. I resented it. He was creeping into my life and my soul and it was scaring me. I didn’t want him to see me outside of the work setting. It was easier to keep him at arm’s length if I only saw him in the work environment.

It is going to be a long two months, I thought to myself.

“Mommy likes hiking,” Saoirse happily answered in my place. “We used to go hiking with Daddy but he is in heaven now, so he couldn’t come with us.” She frowned for a little bit. “But Mommy says he is watching over us.”

Then she leaned into Kristoff and added, “Mommy is scared of snakes so he watches over her. I’m a big girl; I can take care of myself.”

“You are not a big girl,” Sienna objected. “Big girls don’t cry.”

Saoirse’s eyes started shining and I knew if Sienna said one more word, she'd burst into tears. For all Saoirse’s happy words, she was the one who burst into tears most often.

“Sienna,” I warned. “Don’t start.”

“You seem like a big girl to me,” Kristoff responded to Saoirse. Sierra was seated in between me and Kristoff, and now she got brave and pulled on his sleeve.

“I big girl too,” she said in her baby talk. He nodded.

“All three of you are big girls,” Lena agreed. “You must be so proud!” She directed the comment to me.

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