The Butterfly Effect (Boggy Creek Valley 1)

I picked up the jar and gagged, causing Ben to laugh. Lord, that was the sweetest sound I had ever heard. “Willa, what is this?” I asked as I twisted the lid open.

“It’s cooked spinach and sweet potatoes.”

My stomach lurched as I put some on the spoon, fully prepared for Ben to spit it back in my face. He didn’t. He lifted his brows and opened his mouth for more.

“Okay, so you like it?” I mused as I looked at another container and opened it. “Is this little bits of chicken?”

“Yes. Just put a few pieces onto his tray. He’ll try and push them all into his mouth, so don’t put too much,” she called out over the running water.

I raised my hand and saluted, which made Ben smile once again. Easily entertained, this one.

“All right, little buddy, two pieces of chicken.”

Ben reached over and shoved both into his mouth. He raised his brows. “Mmm.”

Laughing, I popped a piece into my own mouth. “That is good.”

“What’s good?” Willa asked.

I glanced over my shoulder. “The chicken.”

“It’s grilled. I made it for our chicken fettuccine alfredo.”

My mouth instantly watered. “Oh man, that sounds good.”

She smiled. “I remembered it was one of your favorite meals that my mother used to make. Everything is homemade, even the noodles.”

“When did you have time to make noodles?” I asked.

Willa gave me a flirty look. “I didn’t say I made the noodles.”

I laughed and went back to feeding Ben.

By the time Willa had everything on the table, including fresh homemade bread that she had indeed made herself, Ben was rubbing a piece of his chicken in the sauce Willa had put on his tray.

When I took a bite, the flavor exploded in my mouth. “Mmm, that is good. I missed this more than I’d thought.”

A wide smile grew over her face. “I was worried you might not eat pasta.”

“Why wouldn’t I eat pasta?” I asked.

She shrugged and then motioned at me with her hand. “I don’t know, you’re so fit and in shape.”

It was my turn to wink at her. “You noticed, huh?”

Her cheeks went red. “Hard not to.”

“Watch out, you’ll make me not want to eat seconds.”

Willa pointed her fork toward the giant bowl of pasta. “Please, eat it! If you don’t, I’ll heat it up tomorrow and eat the rest.”

I took one peek over at Ben and saw he was getting alfredo sauce in his hair. He was so freaking adorable. “How often does Brian take Ben?” I asked.

Willa’s easy, relaxed posture went rigid. “I have no idea. He’s due to have him this coming weekend, but he won’t actually pick him up.”

“Why do you say that?” I asked.

“He and Ellen went to Cancún today. Mrs. Hamilton told me when I was at Schmick’s Market. She always makes sure I’m well informed about my ex-husband and best friend’s whereabouts.”

I rolled my eyes. “That must get old.”

Willa nodded. “It does. I keep telling her I don’t care, but she keeps on telling me anyway. It isn’t a big surprise, though. Brian has only seen Ben a handful of times since he was born. He wasn’t even in the delivery room. Hunter was.”

A strange pain hit me in the middle of my chest. “I’m sorry, Willa. He should have been there.”

She tilted her head and regarded me for a moment. “Honestly, I’m glad he wasn’t. It was such a beautiful moment, and him being there would have ruined it.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, okay then.”

“Let’s move on from that waste of breath. Are you going to stay at your mom’s place for a while?”

I wiped the corners of my mouth, folded my napkin, and set it down as I leaned back in my chair and met her gaze. “I don’t think so. The idea of living with my mother and grandfather isn’t exactly appealing to me. I’ll look for something to rent until I figure out my future plans. You said you’ve been here for the last year?”

“Yes. I pretty much moved in the weekend I moved out of Brian’s house. Honestly, it was a miracle it was available when it was, because I went into labor two weeks early.”

Our eyes locked, and for the briefest moment we simply stared at one another.

Willa jumped when the doorbell rang and a woman’s voice called out. Not any woman though—Willa’s mother.

“Hello! Anyone here?” Mary Tuner said as she opened the front door and made her way toward us in the dining area.

A look of utter horror moved over Willa’s face, and she quickly stood and mumbled, “I’m going to kill her!” She tried to head her mother off but failed.

There Mary was, standing in the doorway from the kitchen to the dining room. Her eyes were wide and bright, clearly hoping that true love was blossoming.

“Aiden! What a pleasant surprise!” Mary gushed as I stood and she walked over to give her a hug. “Still as handsome as ever.”