Sisters of Summer’s End

by Lori Foster

  Or maybe she didn’t like for her son to get too close to men. He gave that brief thought, but given how Coop and Baxter reacted, Jack didn’t lack for male figures in his life.

  It would be different, though, for a man who wasn’t a coworker. The other men in the park would be a constant in Jack’s life.

  But a man interested in her? That would be a risk for a dedicated mom.

  Hoping he didn’t overstep, Royce offered, “I’d be happy to show him around. Maybe that’d be a good field trip for his class?”

  Jack cheered, almost toppling the pot of coffee. Royce caught it. “Careful.”

  Abashed, Jack bit his lip. “Sorry.”

  “I like your enthusiasm, but we don’t want anyone to get burned, right?” He glanced up at Joy—and caught her staring, her expression almost dazed.

  Had she expected him to snap at Jack? Hell, he liked kids being kids. That’s how it should be.

  Whatever Joy had been thinking, she shook it off. “Jack, we really do need to go.”

  “You’re the only one who doesn’t have brown eyes, Mom. Did you know that? But Mr. Nakirk’s eyes are really dark.” He leaned over the tabletop, this time with more caution, to closely study Royce. “They’re maybe even black.”

  Grinning at the near nose-to-nose scrutiny, Maris patted Jack’s back and left the booth. “I have to get back to work.” With a touch to Joy’s shoulder, she whispered, “Sit, drink the coffee. I’ll bring Baxter another,” before she walked away.

  It occurred to Royce that he was enjoying himself. Again. Joy’s son was pure entertainment with his frank, inquisitive manner. He was so close now Royce felt his breath.

  “Jack,” she said again, sliding into the booth. “That’s enough.”

  To let Joy know she shouldn’t fret so much, Royce flashed her a smile, then took Jack by the chin and did his own scrutiny.

  “Your eyes are pretty dark, too. But you’re right. They’re not as dark as mine.” He turned Jack’s face this way and that to study him. “I got my grandmother’s eyes. Looks like you got your mother’s...ears.”

  Mouth dropping open, Jack clapped both hands on his ears to feel them, then scrambled over to examine his mother’s. Despite his sticky fingers being in her hair, Joy laughed, and that made Jack suspicious.

  He shot Royce a look. “You serious?” Again, he felt his ears.

  “Cross my heart.”

  Baxter stepped through the open front door, spotted Royce with Joy and hesitated. Instead of joining them, he went to the counter to speak with Maris.

  Damn. Was everyone at the park trying to push them together?

  Joy turned to follow his gaze, spotted Baxter and apologized. “I’m sorry. We’ve interrupted your—”

  “My what?” Royce sat back, wanting her to stay a little longer. “My visit was to get to know everyone, and I did.” He smiled at Jack. “Including this character.”

  Frowning slightly, Jack still felt his ears.

  Joy let out a slow breath. “I saw you in the water with Baxter.”

  Hoping she wouldn’t be embarrassed, he nodded. “I know.”

  “Were you cold?” Jack asked. “Mom said I can’t swim because it’s too cold.”

  “Your mom is right. Even I won’t go in too many more times.”

  Jack fidgeted. “If you can’t swim, do you think you’d want to swing?”

  Immediately, Joy was on her feet again. “He has a meeting with Baxter, sweetie. Come on. Time for us to go.”

  Well, damn. Now that Jack had mentioned it, Royce kind of wanted to swing. He definitely wanted to visit more with Joy. And he hated seeing the disappointment in Jack’s eyes.

  He got to his feet, saying, “Next time, okay?”

  “You mean it?” Jack scrambled out. “You might be too big for the slide. Mom says she is.”

  Joy rolled her eyes and laughed.

  Leaning in, Jack said, sotto voce, “I think she’d fit, but she’s chicken.”

  “Challenged by my own son?” She tickled his ribs. “I’ll show you who’s chicken!”

  Jack squealed with laughter, and that brought Baxter from the counter. “I hope I didn’t break up your visit?”

  “Jack and I are off for the swings.” She clasped her son’s hand, silencing his arguments with a firm, “We’ve lingered too long already, especially since I still have a lot to get done.”

  “Anything I can help with?” Royce offered, before he could think it over.

  Taken by surprise, she shook her head. “Camp stuff. But thank you.”

  Inspiration struck, and Royce again knelt down. “Jack, it was nice meeting you.”

  “I don’t want to go yet.”

  His mouth twitched. It was nice to be liked. “Your mom is the boss, though.”

  “I guess.”

  “But I was wondering, since you seem like an expert on swings, maybe you could give me some pointers on the old playground equipment at the drive-in. What do you think?”

  “Pointers?”

  “On what needs to be replaced, what I should add, what rambunctious little boys like most. That sort of thing.”

  His whole face lit up and he turned to Joy in a rush. “Can I, Mom? Can I?”

  Flushed—likely because she saw through his ploy—Joy waffled. “Um...”

  “I’d enjoy seeing you both.” Royce felt it necessary to offer that dose of honesty. Yes, he wanted to see her. Against all logic and in direct opposition to his plans, he wanted that a lot. But he’d also like to visit more with Jack.

  For whatever reason, the boy had taken to him.

  To let her off the hook for now, Royce said, “Not tonight. Seems we’re all busy. But maybe over the weekend? That is, if your mom has the time?”

  Baxter contributed to the cause, saying, “Good idea. Jack is the foremost swing set expert in town.”

  “I... Okay.” Taking two steps back, Joy nodded. “I don’t have my calendar with me, so I can’t check my schedule—”

  “No problem.” From behind the counter, Maris said, “I can give him your number. And, Royce, you could leave yours. That way one of you—” she lifted her brows at Royce “—can check in with the other to see what works.”

  “Fine by me.” Royce saw Joy’s expression and knew she wasn’t quite as eager as Maris. It didn’t insult him. Given what he’d heard, this was a big step for her.

  And he respected that Jack was her number one priority.

  “Well, then.” With that vague response and a harried expression directed at Maris, Joy turned to go, prodding a reluctant Jack to follow.

  The boy waved and said, “I’ll see ya, Mr. Nakirk.”

  Once they were gone, Maris shook her head. “He never got past Mr.”

  “I noticed.” Baxter sipped his coffee. “Took Joy a month to let Jack call me by name, and only after she knew for sure I had nothing but friendship in mind for her.”

  “You,” Maris said to Royce, striding toward the booth with a plate of cookies, “are different.”

  “Am I?” Just that morning, Royce would have said he wasn’t. The idea of inserting himself into a woman’s life, into her son’s life, would have been roundly rejected.

  But now... Well, now he felt an invisible pull, a need to know her better, to befriend Jack. The things he’d heard, the way he felt when she was near, how much he enjoyed talking with her, even just watching her...it wouldn’t go away.

  Royce wasn’t one to fight a losing battle, and that’s what it would be if he tried to resist her. Add in Jack, and he knew he had to pursue things, at least to see where it took him.

  He had a better understanding than some exactly how it would be for a single mother, and for a lone boy. Maybe Jack reminded him of himself—though Royce was pretty sure he hadn’t been as cute and precocious at that age. Wh
atever the reasons, he already looked forward to seeing Joy again.

  When Maris offered a cookie, he gladly took one. “Will you tell me more about Joy? Jack, too?”

  “I’ll tell you anything she wouldn’t mind you knowing.”

  Royce laughed at that diplomatic reply. “Spoken like a true friend.”

  “I’m working on it.” Propping a hip against a booth top, Maris shrugged. “Given how I pushed her today...” She grinned, clearly unconcerned. “I might be back at square one, but Joy is the forgiving sort, and she deserves a night off, so here’s her number.” She took a slip of paper from her apron pocket, then held it out of reach. “Just be sure you don’t abuse it.”

  “I get it.” Royce gave her a level look. “I wouldn’t pressure her if she’s not interested.” Besides, he wasn’t sure he wanted to move too fast, anyway. He wasn’t one hundred percent sure of anything—except that he did want to see her.

  “She’s interested,” Maris assured him. “I could tell. She’s just out of practice.”

  That made two of them, then...yet some things a man never forgot. “Thanks.” Royce tucked the paper into his back pocket.

  Satisfied, Maris asked, “You guys need anything else?”

  Baxter shook his head. “Ridley and I are heading out for dinner tonight.”

  “And I need to get going soon.”

  “Then I better get to my chores. Put the plate and cups on the counter when you finish, and give a yell if you need me.”

  Once Maris disappeared into the back room, Baxter shook his head. “If you think Joy works hard, she’s got nothing on Maris.”

  Royce knew Coop and Baxter were both married, but he wasn’t sure about Maris. “Don’t misunderstand—I’m not personally interested—but she’s single? Maris, I mean?” He looked around the store again. “She runs this alone?”

  “Sunup to sundown, yeah.” Baxter finished off his coffee. “Now that we’re heading into the off-season, she’ll do any repairs and upkeep that’s needed.”

  “I thought that was Daron’s job.”

  “Ha! Yeah, it is, but those two butt heads a lot. It’s pretty damned amusing actually. He’ll do what he can to help, but he flirts with her the whole time so Maris will do what she can to keep him away. If you’re around enough, you’ll see what I mean.”

  That gave Royce another idea. He was good with his hands, and he wouldn’t mind pitching in around the park. For one thing, it’d give him an excuse to be around more, which meant he’d have opportunities to see Joy. Plus it’d help shore up his standing in the community, since the entire town seemed curtained around the resort. But mostly, he’d enjoy repaying Maris’s kindness.

  Things were coming together nicely. Not quite as he’d expected, but each day his optimism grew.

  * * *

  Smiling, Maris locked up behind everyone and began her evening routine that included starting the dishwasher, a thorough cleaning of the seating area and switching out the entry rug, which had collected dirt from shoes during the day.

  She lived for her routines, morning and night. They reminded her that she alone guided her future, and because of that, she’d never again have reason for shame.

  Growing up, there’d been no order to anything, no planning, no...pride.

  Maris had plans. As soon as she’d gained her independence, she’d set up goals and never, not once, had she veered from them.

  Tonight, though, she smiled because of Joy.

  How had she known Joy so long and yet never known certain things about her—like her sense of humor, her modesty over her appearance...and her willingness to expand their friendship?

  Maybe, like Maris, age had inspired that last part.

  Damn it, her routines were starting to feel tired, but today, chatting with Joy had renewed her.

  No, she couldn’t get involved with anyone—that’d definitely put a kink in her goals. But Joy? There was absolutely no reason for Joy to avoid dating, and every reason for her to finally have some fun.

  Maris planned to encourage her in every way she could, and she’d start with Royce.

  Chapter Three

  Hours later, Joy peeked in on Jack and saw he was finally asleep. Meeting Royce had gotten him so hyped that she’d had a difficult time getting him to wind down.

  It wasn’t like her son to get so familiar so quickly. He was generally a shy boy, at least until he knew someone well. Before kindergarten, he’d often hidden behind her when they met new people. Yes, he’d come out of his shell some since the interactions at school, but not like he had today.

  She thought of how Royce had knelt down to talk to him, how earnest Jack had been in meeting him almost eye to eye. And how Royce had spoken, not like he humored a little kid, but in a more respectful way.

  He’d won her son over with very little effort.

  Resting a hand over her heart, Joy stood in the doorway, looking at Jack’s small body curled under his favorite Ninja Turtle blanket. The few toys he owned were scattered about. Luckily, Jack didn’t ask for a lot, because she didn’t have much to spend on indulgences.

  However, she’d given him everything she knew he needed, including love, security, affection, guidance and boundaries.

  But had she cheated him out of a father figure? Had she let her own insecurity about involvement negatively affect her son?

  Jack had always chased after Coop, Baxter and Daron, but she’d been careful not to let him get too close. She’d feared for his disappointment.

  And her own.

  The ringing of her cell phone in the other room startled her. No one called her after nine p.m.

  Leaving the door open a tiny bit, as was her habit, she hurried down the hall and to the small living room. There on the desk, her phone buzzed.

  For only a heartbeat, she warred with herself before snatching it up and saying a soft, “Hello?”

  “Joy? It’s Royce. Am I calling too late?”

  She eased out the desk chair and sank into it. “No.” Dumb. Say something else. “I was just about to shower.” No. Not that. Catching her breath, she rushed on, explaining, “I mean, Jack is asleep now, so—”

  “I understand.”

  He’d sounded amused...and now he was silent.

  She briefly closed her eyes. Damn it, she was an intelligent adult, a divorced woman, a single mother. She could carry on a coherent conversation. “How was your day?” Gawd, so bland and clichéd.

  “Good. Yours?”

  “Jack was excited. He enjoyed meeting you.” That, at least, was sincere.

  “I enjoyed meeting him, too. He’s a smart kid. Cute.”

  Smiling, Joy said, “Once we got home, he stayed in front of the mirror for ten minutes studying his ears. Then he tried drawing them a dozen times. He’s not yet satisfied that he’s got it right.”

  Royce laughed. “Does he have any features that resemble family members?” He paused, then asked lightly, “His dad, maybe?”

  Shadows filled their apartment over the rec center. Only the glow from her laptop screen and a small light over the stove lit the interior. Floodlights from outside, stationed around the park, filtered in through the windows.

  Joy always made their home dim and quiet in the evening when it was time for Jack to sleep. Her chair squeaked as she sat back and curled her feet beneath her. “Actually, he does look a little like his father, at least from what I can remember. I haven’t seen Vaughn since...well, six months before Jack was born actually.”

  Silence stretched out. “He knew you were pregnant?”

  “He’d already talked of divorce. Finding out I was pregnant only shored up his arguments to leave.”

  Royce gave a low curse. “I didn’t realize. I’m sorry if I overstepped.”

  “You didn’t. It’s fine.” What wasn’t fine was her talking about her ex t
o a...what? Prospective date? Joy shook her head, hating how pathetic that seemed. “I should apologize for saying so much. It’s just that Jack rarely asks about his father. I’d prefer that you not mention it when he’s around.”

  “No problem.” After a second or two, Royce asked, “You’re divorced now?”

  “Yes. We were already having issues—” what an understatement “—when I found out I was pregnant. Vaughn walked out the day I told him, and I haven’t seen him since the divorce became final shortly after that.”

  “How old were you?”

  If Royce had sounded too sympathetic, it would have bothered her, but he seemed only politely curious. “I was a very immature, very dependent twenty-four.” That made her laugh a little. She knew a lot of people, Daron among them, who’d been far more mature at a much younger age. “Nothing makes you grow up like becoming responsible for someone else.”

  “A hard truth.”

  He sounded like he understood something about that. “Have you ever been married?”

  “No.” Then he asked, “How long were you with him?”

  Had he just changed the subject to get it off him? Joy considered pressing him—did he disapprove of marriage, or had some woman broken his heart? There were so many things she wanted to know about Royce, but this was nice, just talking to him, and she didn’t want to chase him off. Chatting on the phone instead of looking at him made it easier for her.

  Oh, she had a vivid image of him in her head, but her imagination didn’t quite replicate his potent impact on her senses.

  “Vaughn and I were together for a year. My parents detested him. Actually, detest might not be a strong enough word.”

  “I suppose that made you want him more?”

  Why was she telling him all this? She never discussed Vaughn with anyone. Not since the last big blowup with her parents.

  Not since they’d disowned her.

  She put her head back and closed her eyes. “Like I said, I was immature.”

  “It’s human nature. Don’t beat yourself up over it.”

  Too late for that. Following his lead on topic changes, she prompted, “Did you want to get together this weekend? Jack’s talked about it a lot.”