She laughed. “Yeah, it was a doozy. I’m surprised you don’t have a hot date tonight, though.”
“Nah, they jack up the price for everything and there’s no one special that’s really worth it.”
Ella rolled her eyes. “You’re such a romantic.”
“Yeah, what’s your excuse? Why do you hate V day so much?”
The memory tore through her, but the pain was just a slight throb, a reminder that she hadn’t been enough. “My husband left two years ago on Valentine’s Day,” she finally said. “He said I didn’t inspire him anymore.”
Silence fell.
Why had she told him that? Such a deeply personal fact of her life? Embarrassment made her cheeks hot but she forced a laugh. “He probably just wanted to save himself some money. He’d been buying me all sorts of trinkets because of guilt from his affair. Now, I realized he did me a favor.”
He still didn’t speak. Thank God, Luke came running back in and thrust a huge bouquet into her hands. Shock filled her. She gazed at the beautiful flowers, blood red with perfectly formed petals eliciting just a touch of scent. Her son had never bought her anything before. Her voice trembled. “Luke, these are beautiful! Thank you so much.”
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Mom,” he said.
And then he walked into her arms without pause.
She hugged her son and the flowers close to her chest and lifted her gaze.
Connor watched them, ocean-blue eyes filled with an intense longing that stripped away the delicate barriers and dove deep into her soul. She knew in that instant, he’d been the one to get her the flowers. He’d been the one to suggest it to her son.
Her breath caught, and a swirling mass of hot energy sizzled between them, choking her with a want she’d never experienced before. Where had this come from? And why did it feel like it was growing each time she saw Connor Dunkle?
Fighting her rioting emotions, she closed her eyes to try and get back control.
When she opened them again, he was already gone.
Chapter Eight
“The Eskimos had fifty-two names for snow because it was important to them: there ought to be as many for love.”—Margaret Atwood
“You were right about the flowers,” Luke said.
Connor headed to his last stop of the night, maneuvering carefully on the roads even though his tires were stellar with their grip. He’d never had a kid in his truck before so he drove extra slow.
“I told you, women like to be appreciated. Especially Moms. Especially on Valentine’s Day, even though it’s not my favorite holiday.”
“Mine either. Christmas is so much better.”
He laughed. “Yeah, Christmas is pretty epic. We have one house left and then you’ve completed your parole time for the day. You did well.”
Pride etched the boy’s features. Funny, Connor figured the night would be torturous trying to entertain a ten-year-old, but Luke was good company. He owned a wicked sense of humor and worked hard without grumbling. Shoveling pathways and steps worked muscles most boys didn’t have anymore because they mostly worked out by playing video games. Bet his grades were off the charts, too. He reminded him so much of Nate. “Is this your regular job?” Luke asked.
“No, I just do this as extra side work. I’m in construction. Right now, I’m working on the team that’s building the Tappan Zee Bridge.”
“Seriously? That’s awesome. Do you go up on the crane?”
“Sometimes. Most of the time it’s hard, repetitive type work in the extreme hot or cold. Sometimes it’s real boring, but I like working with my hands and watching a structure rise from nothing.”
“How come you’re in my mom’s class if you already have a job?”
He eased around the upcoming turn and cranked the heat a notch higher. “I want to get into management, and they require a degree. Don’t make my mistake. Go to college after high school. It’s harder when you’re old like me and have to start over.”
Luke seemed to mull over his words. “Mom says people do things when the time is right. Maybe you just weren’t meant to go to college when you were younger.”
Luke’s simple acceptance of fate soothed him. Ella’s words wrapped around him via her son’s lips. He’d never forget her face when she told him about her ex leaving. A mixture of sadness and acceptance had radiated from her and made him want to pull her into his arms and comfort her. He couldn’t imagine how hard it was to hear her husband tell her she wasn’t wanted. The asshole had just walked out on a beautiful family and didn’t seem to care about Luke. Her heart and trust was shattered, yet she seemed more whole than any other woman he’d known. She was truthful, and real and smart. Not to mention strong. She’d kept it all together and was raising a good kid.