Page 68 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

“Get the fridge all cleaned out?” he asked.

“I did, but there was some pretty moldy produce in there. And dinner leftovers that had definitely seen better days.”

It had been strange, being in her apartment, seeing the furniture that had adorned their home. The same sofa on which they’d eaten, cuddled, watched countless hours of TV, and made love more than once. But while their home had felt warm and inviting, her apartment was sparse. Minus the houseplants, it had all the warmth of a hotel room. Maybe she just preferred a simpler style these days.

“Your phone’s vibrating,” Laurel said.

He immediately thought of Patty. “Who is it?”

She checked the screen. “Your mom. Trade you places?”

“Thanks.” He walked up the steps, passing Laurel, and grabbed his phone from the lounge chair. “Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, honey. Sorry to bother you in the middle of the day. Do you have a minute?”

“Sure.” He straddled the lounge and sat. “What’s up?”

“I was just going over some things for Trail Days with Katieand realized we didn’t have anyone covering the dunking booth on that Saturday at—what is all that noise?”

He was suddenly aware of the sounds of shrieking, laughter, and splashing water. “Oh, I, ah... I’m at the pool.” He winced. “So what time is the slot you wanted me to fill?”

“Did one of your friends get a pool?”

“No, it’s, ah...” There was no getting around it. “I’m at Laurel’s apartment pool in Asheville. We needed to buy Emma a toddler bed. She climbed from her crib last night, and the nearest store that carried them was here. Plus Laurel needed to check on her apartment so we combined the trip. Emma wanted to go swimming.” He squeezed his eyes shut. For crying out loud, why did he feel the need to explain? He wasn’t in high school anymore.

“I see. Well, it sounds like you’re busy. I won’t keep you.”

Why oh why had he answered the phone? “It’s just an errand, Mom.”

“Did I say anything?”

He rolled his eyes. “You didn’t have to. Now what time do you need me for the dunking booth?”

“From two till four if you’re free.”

“Go ahead and put me down.”

“I’ll do that. Thank you, honey. Have you heard from Emma’s aunt yet?”

“Not since Sunday. I’m sure she’ll call soon.”

“Well, if you still have Emma this Saturday, why don’t you bring her to lunch? I’d love to see her.”

“I’ll do that.”

After they ended the call, Gavin tried to put his mom’s concern from his mind. His gaze drifted to Laurel. She sat on the steps with Emma and showed her how to blow bubbles in the water. Laurelwas so good with her. That guardedness she’d always wielded had never extended to children. She was her truest, most open self when she was around kids.

He wished his family could remember how she’d been with Jesse and cut her some slack. Anyone with open eyes could see he was the one to blame for the demise of their marriage. That Laurel didn’t seem to hate him anymore was a miracle.

“Laurel! Laurel, you’re here.” A boy in his late teens rushed alongside the pool, a towel wrapped around his shoulders. His pale stomach ended at a pair of dripping wet Hulk trunks. His face bore the distinctive physical characteristics of Down’s syndrome.

“Hi, Brandon.” Laurel stood and gave the boy a warm hug.

So this was the guy with her apartment key. Gavin felt a little foolish for that prick of jealousy he’d experienced earlier. But part of him also felt relieved.

“I came to check on my apartment,” Laurel told the boy. “You’re doing a great job with my plants.”

“I watered them yesterday. Only the ones I was supposed to. Did you find your mail? Is she your friend, Laurel?”

---