Tumble (Dogwood Lane 1)

The inside of their house isn’t at all what I expected. Everything has a place, and everyone has a job. It’s a mishmash of styles and decorations that seem to work together somehow. There’s even a cookie jar on the center of the island in the kitchen filled with peanut butter cookies.

You can feel the joy when you walk in, sense the loyalty in the walls as you stroll down the hallway decorated with pictures of Mia at different stages of her life. I’ve never felt so comfortable in someone else’s house before.

My phone vibrates on my lap. A text from Grace pops up on the screen. I look at it like it might bite me—not because of the text, but because of the email that needs responding to.

I’ve reread Mr. Snow’s offer a few times. It isn’t groundbreaking, but it isn’t bad. It’s certainly better than nothing. I should take it. I know I should. But every time I have my finger on the “Reply” button, I chicken out.

I tell myself it’s because I know I’m worth more. I made almost double that at my old job and had half again more leave time. But something wrestles inside my chest, and I know it isn’t all about leave time. It’s about leaving them.

Dane’s footsteps echo down the hall, and it isn’t long before he comes around the corner. He’s changed into a white T-shirt and a pair of gray sweatpants, and all I want to do is bury my face in the soft cloth and have him hold me.

“You’re being beckoned,” he says. A hand on his hip, he sighs. “Apparently she needs to talk to you now. I wouldn’t let her get out of bed because if she does that, we’ll never get her back in there.”

Unfolding my legs, I stand. “What’s she want?”

He shrugs. “I already read her bedtime story, which is ridiculous at her age, but I can’t tell her no.”

“I think it’s adorable.” I start by him, but he pulls me toward him.

“I think you’re adorable.”

“You do, huh?”

“I do.” He plants a loud, wet kiss on my lips. “Now go figure out what she wants so we can move on with our night.”

I take the stairs two at a time. “I like the sound of that.”

Dane’s footsteps fall behind me. “It’s the door with the glitter. Make it snappy.” He pats me on the behind as I enter Mia’s room.

“Hey, you,” I say. “Ready for bed?”

She’s snuggled under the covers. “Yeah.”

“What’s going on?” I ask, sitting on the edge.

“Well . . .” She looks at Dane standing at the door. “There’s this Manicure Day at the gym.”

“I saw the flyer. It looks like fun.” I brush her hair out of her face with my hand. “Are you excited about it?”

She throws the blanket over her head.

“Mia.” I laugh. “What are you doing?” I tug the blanket down so I can look at her. “What’s up?”

She chews her bottom lip. “I . . . You . . .” She takes a deep breath. “Will you go with me?”

My heart melts. “Yes, I’ll go with you. Of course. Why would you think I wouldn’t?”

“It’s for mothers and daughters.” She looks at Dane. “It’s okay if I ask Neely, right?”

I twist around. He’s propped against the doorjamb, looking at us in disbelief. “Yeah. It’s okay with me.”

“You’ll go?” Mia shimmies from under the covers. “It’s in the afternoon, and the girls say it’s so much fun. They do their fingernails and toenails, and they bring them little cookies and stuff.”

“Haven’t you gone before?”

She shakes her head. “I didn’t have anyone to take me.”

“Honey, Haley would’ve gone with you,” Dane says, coming into the room. “Or I would’ve gone. I don’t know how good my feet would look all polished up, but maybe I’d like it.”

Mia laughs. “You can’t go. You’re a boy. And Haley could’ve, but . . . she’s not my mom.”

“Mia,” I say, resting my hand on her lap. “I’m not your mom either. I’m your friend. Your dad’s friend. You know that, right?”

“Yeah.” She grins like she’s playing along to some game and curls back up under her blankets. “So you’ll go?”

“Yes. I’ll go.” I lean forward and press a kiss to her forehead. “Now get some sleep.”

She yawns, waving at her dad as he turns off the light. “Love you, Dad.”

“Love you, rascal.”

I step out of the room when she calls out again. “Love you, Neely.”

I look up at Dane. He touches my cheek, as if that somehow will tell me what to do. “Good night, Mia.”

He pulls the door closed. “That wasn’t what I expected,” he whispers.

“Me either.”

“Are you okay with all that?” He searches my face. “If not, I’ll work it out.”

I take a quick inventory of how I feel in this moment. I have no regrets. I don’t wish anything were different. In fact, I’m happy. I reach up and kiss his cheek. “I’m very okay with it.”