Chapter Five
Evie
The next morning, the doorbell rang, jolting me from my half-asleep haze on the couch. I blinked, momentarily disoriented.
Lance barked twice, wagging his tail and bouncing toward the door like it was the most exciting moment of his life.
And it probably was living in Buttercup Lake.
Not much tended to happen around here except for a rogue mailman.
I shuffled to the door in my oversized sweatshirt dress and fuzzy socks, my dark hair piled into a messy bun.
I wasn’t exactly expecting company, but whoever it was could handle the unkempt Evie.
When I opened the door, my breath caught.
There stood Liam, looking like he’d just stepped out of a winter romance novel.
His dark jeans and a gray sweater fit him perfectly with his red wool scarf and unzipped jacket, but it wasn’t his outfit that had me staring.
It was his smile.
That irresistible, too-charming-for-its-own-good smile plastered across his face.
He held a grocery bag stuffed to the brim in one arm and a tray with two steaming coffee cups in the other. The cold Wisconsin air swirled around him, but he seemed completely unaffected.
“You know, you have this habit of turning me down,” he said, his voice low and teasing, “so I thought I’d make it impossible for you to forget me this time.”
I couldn’t help but laugh, the warmth of his presence already cutting through the chill of the morning.
“You’re persistent. I’ll give you that.”
“And you’re hard to forget,” he said, winking at me.
I stepped back, holding the door open.
“You know Hayden’s sick, right? You’re risking the stomach bug of the century just standing here. His tummy ache turned to full-blown war.”
He shrugged, stepping inside without hesitation.
“I’m up for the challenge. Plus, I brought snacks and coffee. That has to earn me some immunity points in the universe.”
I closed the door behind him, ignoring how his presence filled the room.
“You’re pretty intriguing.”
“And you’re welcome,” he shot back, grinning as he set the grocery bag on the kitchen counter.
Lance immediately padded over, sniffing the bag with great interest.
“What’s all this?” I asked, peeking inside.
Liam held up his good hand.
“Care package for the patient. I thought he might like bread, cheese, ginger ale, crackers, applesauce, some popsicles, and soup for later. Also,” he said, holding up one of the coffee cups, “a little something to keep you from losing your mind. Latte, extra foam.”
I stared at him, the warmth spreading through me faster than I could stop it.
“You didn’t have to do all this.”
Not to mention that I was stunned that he remembered that was how I ordered my drinks.
“I know,” he said, his voice softening. “But I wanted to.”
His sincerity caught me off guard, and I found myself smiling despite the exhaustion tugging at me.
“Thank you. Really.”
Liam waved it off like it was no big deal, but the way his eyes softened told me otherwise.
“So, how’s the little guy?”
I motioned toward the living room.
“Sleeping, thankfully. The fever’s down, but he’s still not himself. How’s your hand?”
He shrugged. “It’s been worse.”
I chuckled.
“Can I see him?” he asked.
I nodded, and he followed me into the living room. Hayden was curled up on the couch, wrapped in his favorite blanket, and Lance was back snoozing on the floor beside him. The TV played a muted cartoon, but Hayden was fast asleep.
“Poor kid,” Liam said quietly, his eyes full of genuine concern. “He’s a trooper, though.”
“First a carrot and then the flu.” I sank into the armchair next to the couch, cradling the coffee cup Liam handed me.
Liam pulled the other chair closer, sitting down with his coffee.
“You’re doing great, you know.” His eyes fastened on mine. “I don’t know if anyone tells you that, but it’s true.”
His words melted me, but I couldn’t let myself reveal that quite yet.
I raised an eyebrow. “Flattery won’t save you from the stomach bug.”
“Not flattery. Just the truth. You’re an amazing Mom, Evie. I can see that.”
I looked down at my coffee, heat rising to my cheeks. Compliments always caught me off guard, especially from Liam.
He was always full of them.
Had been since I met him.
But how twisted was my world that I worried they meant something other than kindness?
“Thanks,” I said softly.
For a moment, the room was quiet, except for the TV's low hum and the occasional snore from Lance.
Liam sipped his coffee, his gaze drifting around the room, landing on the bookshelf lined with Hayden’s books and a few picture frames.
“This place feels like home,” he said thoughtfully. “It suits you.”
I smiled, glancing around.
My house wasn’t fancy, but it was ours—warm, lived-in, full of memories.
“Thanks. It’s been a work in progress. Hayden loves it here.”
Liam leaned back, his smile softening. “I can see why. It’s cozy. Inviting.”
His words settled over me, and I found myself relaxing, the tension of the last day melting away.
“You’re pretty good at this whole making-people-feel-better thing.”
He grinned. “Comes with the job.”
“What job?” I teased. “Being ridiculously charming?”
“Exactly,” he said, raising his coffee cup in a mock toast. “And I take my job very seriously.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “You’re something else.”
His eyes held mine for a moment, and I felt that familiar pull again—the one that made me question every wall I’d ever built.
Before I could overthink it, Hayden stirred on the couch, his sleepy eyes blinking open. “Mom?”
“I’m here, sweetheart,” I said, setting my coffee down and moving to his side.
Hayden looked at Liam, his brow furrowing slightly. “You came back?”
Liam leaned forward, smiling. “I brought snacks.”
Hayden gave a small, tired smile.
“Thanks.” He tucked his head into the pillow and closed his eyes again.
I tucked a blanket around my little guy and glanced at Liam.
“Mind if I stick around for a bit? Just to make sure you don’t need anything,” Liam offered.
I hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
“Sure. But don’t say I didn’t warn you about the stomach bug. It’s super contagious.”
“I like to live dangerously.” He wiggled his brows.
And just like that, the day felt a little brighter. I stood and motioned for Liam to follow me into the kitchen.
“So, is this how you woo all the ladies?” I teased.
“I try not to woo anyone, to be honest.” He grinned and took a seat at the table.
“Oh, come on.” I laughed. “You know exactly the right things to say and exactly how to say them.”
“Maybe that’s because you’re the right person to say them to,” he offered.
I smiled and nodded. “Maybe.”
“Mommy, I’m hungry,” Hayden’s voice echoed into the kitchen, and I smiled. “Duty calls.”
“Would you like crackers or soup or…” I peeked my head around the corner.
“Grilled cheese.”
“Are you sure? That might be a little adventurous.”
“Mom,” he whined. “I’m fine.”
“Okay, we will give it a try.” I chuckled and grimaced at Liam, who was already melting butter in a skillet.
“Boy, you’re quick.” I smiled at the man suddenly making himself at home in my kitchen.
The smell of butter melting in the pan filled the kitchen as he swirled it around, preparing a simple grilled cheese sandwich.
I glanced at him over my shoulder, my heart giving the tiniest, traitorous flutter.
“You really don’t have to do this,” I said, turning back to the stove.
But I couldn’t help the way my eyes flicked to him again. He was watching me, his arms crossed, his gaze steady but full of something I couldn’t quite name.
Admiration?
Amusement?
Whatever it was, it sent a little thrill through me that I didn’t want to admit.
“You don’t like an extra hand around…” his voice trailed off, but his eyes stayed on mine.
“No. It’s not that. I’m just not…used to it.” My chest tightened as I thought about it. “I actually feel kind of guilty.”
“Don’t.”
“That simple?” I laughed.
“That simple.” He shrugged. “I always ask for help, and I get unsolicited help even more.”
“Duly noted.” I poured some soup into a small bowl and felt him move closer.
Not close enough to be in my space but close enough that I was acutely aware of him. I grabbed a spoon and stirred the soup, trying to ignore how my pulse quickened, and my skin felt like electricity was bouncing along it.
“Hayden seems to like you,” I said, glancing at him briefly.
Liam shrugged, his lips tugging into a small smile.
“Kids are honest. If they don’t like you, you know. So I’ll take it as a win.”
I set the spoon down and crossed my arms.
“What about you? Were you always good with kids or is this a recent development?”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Let’s just say my dating history hasn’t exactly led to situations involving kids. My past relationships…” He trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck. “Well, let’s just say I’ve got a talent for picking the wrong women.”
I raised an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. “Wrong, how?”
“Let’s see,” he said, ticking off on his fingers. “One who thought vacationing at my lodge meant I didn’t have to lift a finger while she was there, so she got mad and left. Another who swore she loved animals but screamed every time a horse so much as looked at her.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at that. “Sounds like you’ve had a string of winners.”
“Oh, there’s more,” he said, grinning. “But I’ll spare you the horror stories. Let’s just say I’m better off sticking to bratwursts and cider.”
“Maybe you’re just looking in the wrong places,” I offered, cutting the sandwich into triangles.
“I think it’s safe to say it,” he said, his gaze flicking to mine.
The teasing fell away for a moment, and something more serious lingered in his expression.
He cleared his throat. “But sometimes, the right person sneaks up on you when you’re not looking, and everything you could ever want shows up in a perfect package.”
“There’s no such thing as perfect.” I swallowed, suddenly finding it very hard to hold his gaze.
“How about my kind of perfect?” His eyes locked on mine, and it was like all the air got sucked out of the room.
“Well, let’s hope your luck turns around,” I teased, brushing past him to grab a tray for Hayden’s lunch. “Sounds like you’ve had a rough run.”
He chuckled and stepped back, letting me move past him, but his eyes didn’t leave me. “Let me take it to him.”
“You don’t have to—”
“I want to,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
I handed him the tray and watched as he balanced it with care. He flashed me that grin again, the one that made my stomach flutter, before heading into the family room.
“Hey, Buddy,” I heard him say, his voice bright. “Brought you some soup along with your grilled cheese made by yours truly. And don’t worry, I left part of my hand in it for flavor this time, just like last time.”
Hayden’s giggles rang out, pure and unrestrained, and it stopped me in my tracks.
It had been so long since I’d heard him laugh like that—carefree and joyful.
I leaned against the counter, closing my eyes for a moment as the sound of their laughter filled the house.
Liam had a way of fitting into our lives so easily, like he’d always been meant to be here. It scared me how much I liked it.
How much I liked him.
I opened my eyes, staring at the empty kitchen. Could I let someone like Liam in? Could I risk it after everything Hayden and I had been through? My walls were there for a reason, but for the first time in a long time, I wondered if it might be okay to let them down.
Just a little.
The sound of Hayden laughing again reached me, and I couldn’t help but smile.