“Mommy.” April spun around and ran to give her a big hug. “Mr. Bill’s taking us on a scavenger hunt. Next, we have to find a bug.”
“Fun.” Not really. She hated bugs, but if her kids had fun, then more power to them. “I thought I’d missed you. I just wanted to see you and Dex before I went to Mrs. Jessa’s.”
“To see the baby?”
She nodded. “His name is Liam.”
Dex came to her side. “When can we see the baby?”
“Not for a while. He has to get stronger first.”
“He should drink lots of milk,” April declared with an air of authority. “The commercials on TV says it makes you stronger.”
Beth laughed. “I’ll be sure to pass that advice on to Mrs. Jessa.” Kneeling, she put herself eyelevel with her children. “Behave for Mr. Bill, okay? I won’t be gone long, and when I get home, we’ll go to the egg hunt.”
“I’ve been practicing.” April shot Dex a look. “He doesn’t care if he gets the golden egg, but I’m going to find it.”
“I’m sure you will.” She gave them each a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll see you soon.”
Hunter waited for her in the lobby. “Are you ready?”
“Almost. I have a gift for momma and baby.” She ran upstairs and grabbed the wrapped presents from her closet—an outfit for Liam and a basket of pampering goodies for Jessa. One of the best gifts she’d received as a new mom was a box of lotions, dry shampoos, and chocolates, all of which didn’t take much time to grab and use yet made her feel human again during the days of skipping showers and never sleeping.
When she went downstairs, Hunter was on the phone. After a minute, he ended the call and looked at her. “That was Jessa. She asked if we could come after the egg hunt. Liam finally fell asleep, and she doesn’t want to risk waking him.”
“I remember those days all too well. Would Trixie mind taking the kids home with her for a half hour after the egg hunt?” Her gaze drifted to the window, but Dex and April were out of view. “I’d ask Lynne or someone here, but they’ve helped out a lot lately.”
“I’ll ask her, but I’m sure she won’t mind.” Merriment danced in his eyes. “She said Alice behaves ten times better when April is around.”
“Probably because April keeps her too busy to get in trouble.”
Hunter snorted. “You have a valid point.”
“Is your car unlocked?” She held up the gifts. “I’ll put these in now, so I don’t forget them.”
“Should be.” He tossed her his keys. “Take these in case they aren’t.”
“Thanks.”
“Since Dex and April are out with Bill, and Lynne and Addy have everything here taken care of, want to grab a milkshake at the diner?”
“Sure. There’s actually something I want to discuss with you before I lose my nerve, so that works out.”
His brows crinkled. “Should I be nervous?”
She shook her head, then kissed him lightly to assure him they were fine. “I think you’ll be happy about it.”
They dropped the gifts off at his car then walked to the diner. Mornings still saw a chill, but April afternoons were pure delight. Hunter didn’t press her for information as they strolled along the sidewalk, and she didn’t offer any. She wanted to wait until they were seated and wouldn’t be interrupted.
Nerves set in after their waitress sat a strawberry shake in front of her. She’d been so confident in the store, but once she voiced it to another person, that made it final. There would be no turning back. Her cheeks puckered as she took a sip of the thick shake.
Hunter held his chocolate shake in his hand, waiting patiently for her to share. She appreciated that about him. He knew when to push, and when to be quiet. He read her like a book, a fact that should have scared her but comforted her instead.
She lifted her straw and sucked out the clump of strawberry causing a blockage. “I’ve decided I don’t want to hide from the Cohens anymore. As long as I let their shadow hang over me, I can’t live fully.”
“I agree.” One hand cupped the frosty mug, and his arm rested casually on the table. “Did anything happen to bring this on?”
“Not in particular, but I was standing in the seasonal aisle of the grocery store, thinking about my life. It’s good right now, really good, but I’ll always have one eye glancing over my shoulder until I come to terms with this.”
He nodded slowly. “Do you have a plan?”
“No.” She giggled nervously. “The idea hit me with such force just before I met up with you, and I knew if I didn’t tell someone, I’d back out.”
His hand was cold from the shake when he reached over and cupped her hand in his. “I’m here to help however you need me.”
Her lips curled to a wry smile. “I was counting on that.”
Chapter Thirteen
Hunter pored over every want ad listed on three different hiring websites. He didn’t plan on giving up his job at the bed and breakfast, not entirely, but he had to find something more.
Each day that passed, he fell harder for Beth. They’d only been dating two months, but they’d crammed years’ worth of conversation and growing into them. He knew where they were heading, but he couldn’t act on it until he had a viable means to provide for her and her children.
Unfortunately, the current economy left the job market nearly empty. Throw in his conviction and finding a suitable job that could lead to a career seemed insurmountable odds. He wasn’t even sure why he looked again this afternoon. He’d spent an hour that morning searching and applying even when he didn’t hold the credentials, just has he’d done every day for the last two weeks.
No matter what, he couldn’t give in to the feelings of failure. God would provide. He simply had to continue to trust in His plan. He closed out of the employment pages and made calls to three hardware stores. Addy wanted to extend the back porch, and he searched for quotes on lumber.
Jasper Lake’s hardware store had all the needed supplies in stock. Their prices came in a smidgen higher than the two stores in Farthington, but he knew Addy would spend the extra to stay local. He placed the order to have ready for tomorrow, then opened his notes he’d drawn up as a blueprint.
He was busy studying them when Addy knocked on his door. Her expression was odd, neither positive nor negative, but perhaps a bit concerned.
“Are you okay? Don’t tell me the water heater went out again.”
She shook her head. “There’s someone here to see you.”
“Who?”
“Julio Chavez.”
His chest tightened. “The district attorney?”
“Yes.”
“Did he say what he wanted?” He had no reason to panic. He’d done his time and hadn’t committed any more crimes. His life was squeaky clean. But he couldn’t fathom why the district attorney who had made an example out of him had come to see him.
“Not a hint.” Addy’s lips stayed in a straight line. “I think you should see what he wants.”