Page 101 of Falling for Keeps

A humming sounds overhead, and we all look up to find the drone zooming in.

Carson laughs, stepping back and saluting to Luke, who’s probably watching.

“Can we go home now?” Penny asks.

“Sure thing, Nickel.”

She looks at me. “Will you come, too?”

I melt under her pleading, watery eyes. “Of course. If your dad’s okay with it.”

He gives me a look like Come on, of course I want you there.

“We could make those cookies tonight!” Penny says.

“Sure, we can,” I agree, trying to act super cool about the fact that Penny took my hand. I shoot Carson a wide-mouthed fish-like excited face over my shoulder, and he laughs.

Is this contentment? It sure feels like it.

Carson

When we make it out of the maze, Ann and Tom are waiting for us. Ann gives Penny a hug. “Glad you made it out! Your friends went to the corn pit to give you some space, but if you want to play with them, your dad can take you over there.”

“I want to go home.”

Ann nods sagely. “It’s been a big afternoon for you.”

“Sounds like she’s not the only one,” Tom mutters, giving me a look. “Luke showed us some of the footage from the drone before he took it back to the house.”

“Luke was here?” I ask, super grateful I didn’t do something stupid like flip off the camera, knowing Tom and Ann were watching. “Not directing the drone from the house?”

“It looked pretty cozy in that maze.”

“Knock it off,” Ann says, swatting her husband. “It’s sweet to see you looking so happy, Carson.”

Emma blushes. Penny is buzzing with energy, ready to leave. I think it was a lot for her.

“I can take Penny to the car,” Emma offers, also noticing my daughter’s eagerness to leave, most likely. She is so intuitive.

I hand over my keys. “I’ll let Katie know we’re taking Penny home.”

We head in different directions, the Walkers beside me. Ann clears her throat gently. “Do we get an update on how things are going with the cute librarian, or are we supposed to pretend we didn’t see any of that on the drone?”

We’re halfway to the corn pit. I stop, and they slow down. “It’s not public knowledge.”

“What are you waiting for, son?” Tom asks.

So many things, but also, I don’t really know. How can I answer that when it’s unclear to me? “Can I be sappy for a second?”

Ann squeezes my arm. “You lost your child for a while, Carson. You can get as emotional as you want.”

“This divorce has been hard on me, and moving here with Penny felt a lot like recreating history. I’ve had to do a lot of work on myself. Now that I’m living it all as the adult, I’m super grateful for everything you both did for Maven and me when we moved here as kids. I didn’t see it then, but I owe you a lot.”

“Your mom thanked us enough,” Tom says.

I shake my head, seeing how much they must mean to my mom. They certainly mean a lot to me. “You know I never really had a dad, Tom. Thank you for everything you’ve done to fill those gaps. Both of you.”

“We love you, Carson.” Ann hugs me, and I squeeze her back. “Is it Penny you’re trying to protect by keeping things with Emma on the hush? Because that’s a valid concern.”