Flynn(8)

“It’s okay,” said Natalie.

“So are you just passing through town?” asked Flynn. He set his mug down on the countertop.

Shit, what did she say now? She couldn’t tell them why she was near the property and why she hadn’t told them the second she’d met them the real reason she was in town. She’d have to think of something and quickly.

“I’m looking for a vacation house in the area.”

Did people do that in winter? Where had that crazy idea come from?

Flynn nodded. “I know a couple of realtors. If you don’t have one already, I’d be happy to give you their numbers.”

Natalie nodded “The cookie was very good,” she said wanting to change the subject and not dig herself in any deeper on the topic of house-hunting.

“Have another one,” said Emily putting the box in front of her again.

She took a chocolate chip one this time, imaging what her mother would say about the indulgence and her weight. She’d inherited her heavy genes from her dad and not her mother—who hadn’t gained more than five pounds since she’d turned forty.

“I’ll have to check out your grandmother’s café,” said Natalie.

“It’s on Main Street, and I work there some days too,” said Emily.

Maybe she could go there and get to know her daughter more without raising any suspicion. Ease herself in as a friend before telling them the truth. Natalie bit her lip. None of this was turning out like she’d planned when she’d left Florida.

Flynn walked over to the sink and glanced out of the window. She knew she shouldn’t but she couldn’t help but look at his butt in the tight jeans.

“Natalie, I hate to say it but the snow’s getting heavier, and the wind looks like it’s picking up. I think it would be a smarter idea to get your car dug out in the morning when this storm’s passed and we can see what we’re doing.”

Natalie nodded. She was at his mercy. He was the local and knew more about these things than she did.

“Sure, that’s fine,” she said.

“Are you staying at a motel or with friends or what?”

“The Timber Creek Motel.”

“Then how about I drive you there? I can come by in the morning and pick you up and then we’ll get your car out of the ditch.”

At least this meant she’d be seeing Emily a second time. Or at least she hoped she would. Seeing Flynn again had its pluses too.

“Are you sure it wouldn’t be a problem? I mean I can call a cab.”

“No problem at all. You’ll find out that Timber Creek is a very friendly community, and helping one another out is something we’re all good at.”

She smiled. She liked her daughter’s dad already. At least her mother had picked the ideal adoptive parent. And a cute one. Who would have thought it? Natalie stood.

“Let me grab my hat and jacket, and I’ll get you back to your motel,” he said.

“Can I show Natalie my calf before she leaves?” asked Emily.

“Not tonight, but maybe tomorrow when we get her car pulled out. Well, that is if she wants to see it.”

“I’d love to.”

Natalie put her bag over her shoulder and followed Flynn as he headed to the front door. Emily put on her jacket and then pulled on her mittens. She still couldn’t quite believe that she was actually here and inches from the person she’d given birth to.

A cold wind bit into her face as Flynn opened the door and they stepped outside. She wondered what Emily would think of Florida, the beaches, and Natalie’s house with the swimming pool. Maybe when she worked up the courage to tell her who she was, she’d invite her to take a trip there just so she could see where her birth parents had grown up, meet, fallen in love, conceived her, and…

Flynn held open the passenger door of the truck.

“Get in and you sit between me and Dad,” said Emily.

Natalie climbed up into the truck and soon Flynn and Emily were seated either side of her. Despite the warmth of their bodies, she shivered.

“Here, let me turn up the heater,” said Flynn, obviously seeing her body shaking.

Natalie rubbed her hands together. The gloves she’d purchased obviously weren’t thick enough for Montana winters.

“Where are you from?” asked Flynn, heading down the dirt road again.

“Just outside Orlando, Florida.”

“Dad that’s where Disneyworld’s at. Can we go there?” asked Emily.

“Maybe one day, honey,” said Flynn.

The thought of taking her daughter, watching her face, the two of them going on rides together. She had to stop this fantasy. She wasn’t Emily’s mother. Mother…she knew he was divorced but she wasn’t supposed to know that so it was probably best to act like she knew nothing about him.