Page 26 of Second Chance at Love (Chance At Love Duet 1)

“Yes, I am,” I uttered quietly. “I don’t know what I’d do without them.” I surprised myself with such an open comment. Lena was so warm and easy to talk to, her whole demeanor put me at ease. It was so unlike her son.

Deciding I should change the subject, I added, “Happy birthday!”

“Thank you,” she answered.

Saoirse jumped in. “Are we going to have a cake? Want me to help you blow out all the candles so your wish can come true?”

“Birthday candle,” added Sierra keen on helping too.

Lena laughed. “No, not now, but later this evening I’ll have a cake. Would you like to come?”

They both eagerly nodded. I tensed and tried to think of a way to prevent that from happening without being rude. I liked Lena, and would have enjoyed spending time with her. But I did not want to spend more time with Kristoff and getting to know his mother was sending warning bells in my head.

Luckily the waiter came to take our order, so nothing else was said on the matter. Kristoff was coloring on a piece of paper dividing his attention between Saoirse and Sierra. I had to admit he really was wonderful with children. Jack had never even looked at a coloring book, much less participated in coloring activities.

Once the order was placed, the waiter left and I prayed to God their service was quick. I felt my nerves tethering on the edge.

“Gemma,” Lena started. “...how long have you been working for Kristoff?”

“Just a few weeks,” I answered.

“That would make sense,” she answered. “I don’t come often to my son’s office but I thought last time I only saw Kimberly there.”

“Yes,” I replied in a low voice. “I think I would have remembered seeing you.”

“How do you like working with Kimberly?” she asked curiously.

“I really like it. She is a lovely and nice lady. I think she has the patience of a saint.”

She chuckled softly. “I agree. Anyone working with my son would need steel patience. Which means you must be a very patient person too. He can be quite demanding.”

I smiled at her, but kept my mouth shut. She knew her son well. Although I was sure she wasn’t fully aware just how demanding her son was, especially in the personal contract department. Not that I was going to enlighten her.

“Mommy,” Saoirse started. “I’m not hungry. Can I just have tomatoes from the garden?”

“When we get home,” I answered. “But remember our deal… you have to eat at least five big bites.”

“You have a garden?” Lena asked in surprise.

“Yes,” I answered, thinking back to my first interview with Kristoff when I told him I like to mess around in the garden. Apparently, I should have said I like to mess around in my boss’ office since. I felt Kristoff’s eyes on me, and I knew he was thinking about the same. Ignoring my thoughts and Kristoff, I continued, “I discovered somewhere along the way that I enjoyed playing in the dirt.”

“That’s wonderful,” she exclaimed. “I have a garden too.

“You are in trouble now, Gemma,” Kristoff said as he glanced at me with a half smile on his lips. “Next hour will be all focused on garden topics.”

I smiled and looked at Lena. “You enjoy gardening?”

“Yes, tremendously. For once, I can say that my son hired an administrative assistant with some brains,” she said proudly. Lena’s eyes twinkled, and a smile lit up her face. The woman was beautiful, regardless of her age. Even though I just met her, I could tell she was a kind hearted person.

I laughed despite myself not wanting to be here with my boss and his mother. “I don’t know about that, Mrs. Baldwin. I’m pretty sure I have many days when my brain is positively turned off.” I was on the fence with Kristoff and his mother. I wished I didn’t like them, but if I was truthful with myself, I really enjoyed their company right now. Although I kept telling myself I should not.

“Oh, please call me Lena.” For the next hour, Lena and I talked about gardens and compared what we each learned along the way in raising various plants. Occasionally, I felt Kristoff’s gaze on me, but each time I’d meet his eyes, I couldn’t quite decipher his look. He was keeping conversation going with my youngest two about dragons and unicorns, even keeping Sienna engaged. Occasionally Lena would ask him a question, and he’d joined in our discussion. From the outside looking in, we looked like a family. I thought Jack killed all my dreams for a big, happy family, but sitting here now with my girls, Kristoff, and Lena, I found myself wishing for it. And that could lead nowhere but to disappointments.

The waiter came with food, and while we continued discussing it, I cut up Sierra’s food, and Kristoff cut up Saoirse’s who tried to convince him none of it was good for her.

Sienna jumped in every so often into conversation adding items she learned, and Lena was impressed and even wrote up a couple of notes.

“I will have to try that on my squash.” Lena was beaming. “I’ll let you know how it works out.”

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