Page 33 of Resisting the Fall

Maven

Ben’s white truck pulled in front of the house a few minutes early, but thankfully, he waited in the cab. Apparently, extra time together was the last thing either of us wanted.

Penny looked out the front window. “So he’s your husband?”

She was too perceptive to keep the truth from, but I’d shared only what was necessary. I stepped next to her, ensuring the curtains hid me from view. “Technically, yes, but like I told you, we are waiting for our divorce to go through.”

“Then why is he taking you on a date?”

I had clearly done a very poor job explaining the situation. “The judge just wants us to be certain we don’t want to be married anymore, so she’s having us spend time together.”

“And you’re sure you don’t want to be married? Because it would be fun to have an uncle.”

I ran a hand through her long blond hair. “I’m sure.”

The truck door opened, and I quickly stepped farther out of view, though Penny kept her vigil. “Oh, wait. I know him. That’s Dad’s friend.” She glanced over her shoulder with a big smile. “He helped us move our stuff into Nana’s.”

I glanced at Carson, who was watching our exchange from the couch. “Did he?”

“I needed the help.” Carson paused, like there was more to his admission. “He’s also been assisting me with…” His gaze shifted to Penny. “Just some stuff at my dental office.” He must be talking about the play structure for the waiting room.

My heart gave a small ping. Ben and Carson had been friends even longer than Ben and I had been, so there was no way I was going to let our history ruin their friendship. Especially now that Carson was back in Autumn Ridge. Being a single dad, he needed all the support he could get. “It’s fine. This town is too small for grudges.” Which is why it was a good thing I lived in New York.

Before Carson could respond, Ben knocked on the door.

A small wave of nerves skirted through me. A conditioned response. I was no better than Pavlov’s dog—and Ben had always been my bell.

Penny hurried to the door and opened it.

“Hey there, Penny.” Ben’s deep voice filled the room. “How are you?”

She looked thrilled he’d remembered her name. “Good.”

“Hey,” I said, popping up beside Penny. She was the only member of my family that didn’t unequivocally love Ben, and I had no intention of her abdicating her neutral position in a single interaction.

Ben’s hands were tucked into his pockets, and he was wearing the same outfit from earlier—jeans and a button-up shirt, though he’d thrown on a hat. Huge shocker.

Penny gave a small pout. “If this is a date, aren’t you supposed to bring Aunt Maven flowers? Or chocolates? Or something?”

“That is a very valid point.” I placed an arm around Penny’s shoulders. “Ben?”

The shake of his head was subtle as his eyes locked with mine. “I figured because you asked me out, you were going to have chocolates for me. Was I wrong?”

I clucked my tongue, feigning a look of disappointment.

His gaze shifted to Penny. “I’ll make sure to bring something next time.”

Penny nodded.

“You ready, then?” I asked.

“I’m not sure I am.”

The uncertainty in his voice was exactly what I wanted to hear. I kissed Penny on the top of her head. “Bye, Sweet P. I’ll see you later.”

She gave us both a farewell wave, then closed the door behind us, likely resuming her place at the window.

“The resemblance between the two of you is uncanny,” Ben said, a step behind me.