Page 98 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

“She took my juice and spilled it.”

Laurel topped the pie keeper with the lid. “But she said she was sorry, and now we should forgive her, right?”

“I told her it was okay.”

“Good boy,” Gavin said.

“We’ll be ready to leave in thirty minutes,” Laurel said.

“About that... I have one last errand I need to run, but we can do it on the way.”

Laurel’s lips pursed.

“The trailer’s already loaded; I just have to hitch it up to the Denali. I’ll drop it at the site and then we’ll be on our way.”

“Seriously?”

“I’m sorry, hon, but the project’s been running behind schedule. They’re working tomorrow to catch up, and they’ll need that concrete.”

“The site is in the opposite direction. We’ll be late.”

She had a point there. “Okay, what if I hitch up the work truck and run it over there now? I’ll be back before you’re finished getting ready.”

“I only said thirty minutes because I thought you’d be here to keep Jesse occupied. He’s been ‘helping’ me pack all day. Haven’t you, sweetheart?”

“I helped Mommy pack. We’re bringing Blue Bear and Bugs Bunny ’cause I have to show Nana.”

“Sounds good, pal.” Gavin ruffled the boy’s hair and addressed Laurel. “Listen, I’ll take him with me. There’s a backhoe at the site today. Wanna come check it out, bud?”

Jesse’s brown eyes lit. “Can I, Mommy?”

Her shoulders lowered a fraction. “Of course.”

“Can I sit in it?” Jesse asked Gavin. “Will you take me for a ride?”

“No time for a ride today, but you can definitely sit in it.”

Laurel frowned at Gavin. “And you won’t tour the jobsite? Itold my mom we’d be there for supper at seven, and you know how she gets when we’re late.”

“Just going to drop the trailer, I promise.”

“Put a jacket on him.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Gavin grabbed a jacket from the hall closet and helped Jesse put it on.

That hadn’t gone so bad. He wished his relationship with Laurel was more like it used to be—more warm, more open. They had their moments, of course. But more often it seemed like Laurel was a million miles away, living on a deserted island with Jesse. But in the past few years they’d managed to build their dream home, and they had everything they could possibly need. He was home every night—that was more than he could’ve said about his dad.

On the way out to the truck, Jesse rambled on about the kids at preschool. Gavin didn’t really know who any of them were.

Jesse stopped talking and stared expectantly at Gavin.

“Oh. Uh, what did Mrs., uh...?”

“Carmichael, Daddy.” He rolled his eyes, looking so much like Laurel in that moment.

Gavin couldn’t help but smile. “Right, what did Mrs.Carmichael say?”

“She gave him a red card. Donovan already hadtwored cards this week. He didn’t get to go outside today.”

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