“Not interested. Drop it, April.”
Something had happened to Aggie that put her off love and April was determined to help her get over it. Long overdue in her opinion. Determination rose in her chest. She had something else to work on besides her own problems. “Fine, whatever you say. Let’s go shopping then. Kids!”
* * *
The sound of children’s voices could be heard across the lawn as Drew drove up the driveway. Heart pounding with anxiety, he paused to grab a steady breath before getting out of the car. He could do this. He opened the door and climbed out just as a child came running around the corner and slammed into him.
Drew grabbed the little boy before he fell to the ground. He crouched down and gazed into fearful brown eyes. “You okay, buddy? That was a hard crash.”
The child’s lip wobbled. “I only have until twenty to find somewhere to hide before Tilly finds me.” He gave a sob. “Then I have to be it.” A fat tear rolled down his cheeks.
Drew grabbed his hand. “Come with me. She’ll never find you if I help, and I know the best spots to hide.” He hurried toward the back of the house, the boy clinging to his hand. They turned the corner, brushed past the old apple tree, and ducked into the old wood shed. Drew pulled the door closed behind him. He perched on the chopping block and grinned through the gloom. “I’m Drew.”
“Shh, don’t talk. She’ll find us.” The boy held his hands over his mouth, eyes huge as someone came around the corner calling.
“Leo. Leo, coming ready or not.” Footsteps crunched the leaves as she passed the woodshed.
The small shoulders trembled with suppressed giggles.
Drew watched Leo. It was almost like looking at April as a child. The same glossy hair, bright brown eyes, and the dimples in his cheeks was her all over. The hollowness in his gut gave him more questions than answers. He wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but this could easily have been his child if she hadn’t run. Hadn’t dumped him for her Marine.
“Come on.” Leo reached out and grabbed Drew’s hand. “We can make it to the porch before she finds us.”
Drew had to swallow before he spoke. “Shouldn’t we just stay here until she calls quits?”
“Nah. There might be spiders here and I don’t like them. They have sticky legs. If we sneak out and get to home base before she finds me, Tilly will have to go again anyway.”
“Right.” Tilly. The name they had decided to give their first girl. He couldn’t believe she’d called her daughter that. Drew wasn’t sure whether to be annoyed or comforted by her choice.
Together they snuck out of the woodshed and around the back of the house toward the front porch. Just as they were creeping up the stairs, a hand reached out and grabbed hold of Leo’s shirt. “Gotcha.”
Leo let go of Drew’s hand and jumped in fright. “No way! You suck.”
Footsteps marched toward them, anger in every step. “Leo Williams. Don’t use that language. I’ve told you before.” She stopped when she saw Drew. “Drew. I didn’t realize you were with Leo.”
“Um, we were hiding in the woodshed. Tilly busted us sneaking up to the porch so I guess part of the blame lies with me. Sorry for the bad language, April.”
She stared down at him, that frozen look he knew so well from the first day they’d met. It took a few moments before her eyes softened and the grim line of her lips relaxed. “Well, I suppose this once I can forgive you two. But you know better, Leo. We’ve spoken about this before.”
Leo hovered behind Drew, the warmth from his body touching Drew’s back. “Yes, Mom.”
“Sorry, Leo. How about we go inside and get a drink, start fresh. What do you say?” He put his hand on Leo’s shoulder, propelling him toward the steps and his mother. It took a moment for Leo to fall in and do as he suggested. Another thing that matched April’s demeanor. Never one to do something in a hurry, she’d always had to stop and think. Mull things over. Pity she hadn’t mulled over their relationship before she dumped him. But that was old news. Time to get over it.
Drew skipped up the steps and touched her elbow, turning her toward the open door. “Do you have a drink?”
April flinched and glanced away, pink tinging her cheeks. Her throat worked as she swallowed, a sure sign of nerves. He loved that she was uncomfortable in his presence. It meant that she still cared.
“Yes, thanks. Your dad gave me a glass of wine a moment ago.” She reached out to him, her hand resting on his arm for a second before she pulled it back as though burned. “Drew, I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable by being here.”
“You don’t.” Not much anyway. He could deal with it…maybe. And she looked as though she was the one who wasn’t at ease here.
April smiled. “You forget how well I know you. It’s just that I tried to get out of coming for dinner but Gigi, well, you’ve seen what she’s like when she gets an idea. There was no way I could say no.”
“I understand. Don’t worry, April. We’ll make the most of it. I can deal with it as long as you can. We’re going to be working together so tonight is probably a good idea to break the ice. Let’s us get to know each other again without the uncomfortable moments at work. That wouldn’t be cool as far as I’m concerned.”
“Good. So long as you are okay with it, then so am I.” She turned and walked back inside before he could say any more, her perfume lingering around his face.
Drew looked up and saw his father watching him, an understanding look in his eyes. How on Earth
