Chapter Seven
CHAPTER SEVEN
Riley helped her mother with breakfast the next morning at the inn and Aidan and Luke didn’t come down until almost nine thirty. They both made big bowls of Raisin Bran cereal and joined Riley and her mother at their table. Riley was sipping her second cup of coffee and her mother was stirring milk into her tea.
“We both slept in today,” Aidan said as they sat down.
“That was so fun decorating the trees,” Luke said. “The one here is the biggest tree I’ve ever seen.” He sounded so impressed that Riley and her mother both laughed.
“When Riley was little, she and her sister used to crawl behind the Christmas tree and stay there for hours. There’s even more room behind this one,” her mother said.
“We used to love it there,” Riley confirmed. “It was like our secret Christmas hideaway. I used to go by myself sometimes and read a book and look up at the lights now and then. It’s a magical place.” Riley hadn’t thought of it in years, but she and Amy had both loved to snuggle up behind the tree.
Luke looked excited by the idea of it. “Dad, can I go behind the tree? That sounds awesome.”
“Sure, buddy. Not now, though. We’re heading out to the lighthouse as soon as we finish breakfast.”
When they finished eating, Riley cleared the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. Her mother winced a little when she stood to head into the reception area.
“Mom, are you okay? I don’t have to go, I can stay and man the front desk.”
Her mother shook her head. “It’s nothing. I just get stiff when I get up after sitting for too long. It’s all part of the healing process. I’ll just bring my tea to the front desk, prop my leg up, and read my book. It is never busy on a Sunday. I’ll be fine.”
“Okay, I’m sure we won’t be gone long.”
“Take your time. I’ll see you when I see you.”
Riley brought her mother’s tea to the front desk and waited until she was settled and comfortable before they left for the lighthouse.
Aidan drove and they all hopped into the front seat of his truck. Luke sat in the middle. A few minutes later they pulled up to the lighthouse and park. Luke ran to the pay telescopes and Aidan and Riley both laughed at his enthusiasm.
“I often wish I had half his energy,” Aidan admitted.
When they reached the telescopes, Aidan put some coins into both of them. He let Luke use one and he and Riley took turns with the other. There was a gorgeous view of the harbor without the telescopes, but with them, everything seemed so much closer and clearer.
“Luke, there are two seals sunning themselves. Do you see them?” Riley said.
“Seals? Where?”
“On the rocks. You have to look closely as they blend in.”
“I see them! That is so cool.”
After they’d had their fill of looking through the telescopes, they decided to walk down to the beach. Even though it was a cold December day, there were quite a few other people out walking on the beach and several dogs, too.
“Dad, how fast do you think I can go to the end of the beach and back?” Luke asked.
Aidan laughed. “I don’t know but I bet you’re pretty fast. I can time you if you want.”
Luke’s eyes lit up. “Yeah, time me. Okay, see ya!” He bolted off, running as fast as he could.
“I see what you mean about his energy.” Riley smiled as they watched Luke racing along the water’s edge, where the sand was flat but not too wet. “How is he doing since your wife passed?”
Aidan sighed. “Honestly, he seems to be handling it better than I have. It’s been a struggle for me and it seems to hit me harder this time of year. We lost her in early December, three years ago, so as you can imagine, that first Christmas was brutal for both of us. Luke still misses her, like I do, but he seems to be doing well. He’s a kid and Christmas just makes him happy. I have to keep reminding myself of that.”
Riley felt for him. “My parents got divorced just before Christmas. It was years ago, and my mother has never said anything, but I think the holidays are hard for her still, at times. She never lets it show, though, when she’s around us.”
Aidan nodded. “I try to keep that in mind and force myself to be full of Christmas cheer for Luke’s sake. I don’t always manage it, but I do try.”
“He seems like a happy, well-adjusted kid. I think you’re doing a great job,” Riley said.
Aidan looked her way, appreciation in his eyes. “Thank you. I’m sure your mom is happy to have you here this year. Though it stinks that you lost your job. How is the job market for what you do? I don’t think I actually know what you do?”
Riley laughed. “I was a senior content manager for a marketing agency. I wrote mostly, blog articles, white papers, website copy. It was a fun job.” She explained how her team was affected by the company’s decision to use AI instead.
Aidan frowned. “That’s rough. I’m sorry. But they’re the exception, I would imagine? Most companies aren’t using AI that extensively yet?”
“I don’t think so. There should still be plenty of jobs, but things are changing and I am considering moving into a job that uses other skills as well as writing. That might be safer long-term.”
“Will you wait until after the holidays to start looking? I don’t imagine there’s much hiring going on right now?”
“It definitely slows, but I am going to update my resume today and start applying for some jobs online. I got my last job in December and I think there’s actually less competition then as most people wait until after the New Year to even apply. And my old manager told me they were under the gun to fill the job in December or they would lose the headcount totally.”
Aidan shook his head. “That seems crazy, but typical corporate behavior.”
Riley laughed. “So true. I don’t expect that much will happen this month but at least I’ll feel like I’m doing something. There usually are a lot more jobs that open up after the New Year.”
“And you’re just looking in New York City?” Aidan asked.
Riley nodded. “Yes. That’s where home is for me.”
They were both quiet for a few minutes as they walked. Until Aidan spoke again.
“And you love it there? You always wanted to live in Manhattan. I’m sure you have a boyfriend?” He asked casually, but his eyes were distant and Riley felt a flash of sadness that took her back to high school when they’d had a similar conversation. She’d tried to explain how she needed to spread her wings and move off the Cape. She’d always dreamed of living in a big city. And New York City was the biggest on the East Coast. Yet, it was just a day trip away from the Cape, six hours or so, depending on what traffic was like.
“Yes, I have a boyfriend. Jack and I have been dating for a few years. He’s an attorney at a big law firm and works long hours, so I don’t get to see him as often as I’d like, but we make it work.”
“I’ve heard that people on the partner track work a lot of overtime. Is it as bad as they say?”
Riley laughed. “It’s worse. Jack actually keeps an air mattress in his office and has used it many times when he needs to pull an all-nighter for a big case. He often has to cancel plans last minute because of work. It’s frustrating, but I’m used to it now.”
Aidan frowned but didn’t say anything. Riley realized it probably didn’t sound so great.
“It won’t be forever, just a few more years until he makes partner. And then probably a few more years after that. But it will slow down, eventually.”
“Even if I didn’t have Luke, I don’t think I could work those kinds of hours. That’s pretty intense. I work hard and go in early, but I like my nights and weekends off.”
“I do, too,” Riley said. “I couldn’t do it either.”
Luke came racing toward them, sending a spray of sand behind him as he ran. He stopped short in front of Aidan and was out of breath. “How’d I do? I think that was my fastest ever.”
Aidan’s face fell. “Shoot, I’m sorry, buddy. I forgot to check the time when you took off. It was super fast, though. I’m sure it was your best ever.”
Luke grinned. He didn’t seem to care that Aidan forgot to time him. He was just basking in the compliment of having his best time ever. Riley realized she’d probably distracted Aidan from checking the time. But it didn’t seem to matter. The two of them were very cute and had a tight bond. It didn’t surprise her that Aidan was a good father. He’d always been caring and thoughtful.
“Are you about ready to head back? I think you have a book report due tomorrow and you still need to finish the book?” Aidan asked.
“I do. Maybe I can read the book behind the tree? Like Riley used to do?” Luke suggested.
“That’s fine by me if it helps you finish the book,” Aidan said.
“It will. I know it will.” Luke ran ahead of them to the truck and when they caught up to him, they headed back to the inn.
Her mother was reading a book at the front desk and looked up when she saw them. She smiled at Luke. “How did you like the telescopes? Did you see anything interesting?”
“We saw seals! It was so cool.”
They said their goodbyes and Riley’s mother left a note at the front desk with her cell number in case a guest needed to reach her or in the unlikely event that someone walked in looking for information. Riley knew that rarely happened, but once in a while it did, and then people would just call the number and her mother would help them.
As they walked to the car, Riley’s thoughts turned to Aidan and Luke. It had been so nice to spend time with both of them. It was like the years fell away with Aidan and they chatted as easily as ever. She was reminded why they’d always gotten along so well. Aside from being as attractive as ever in a boy-next-door kind of way, she also realized they shared a similar outlook on many things, especially having a work-life balance. She sighed. It was too bad that things hadn’t worked out with them. But now she had Jack. Besides, even if she were single, the main obstacle between them was still there—Aidan’s life was here in Chatham and Riley’s was in Manhattan.