When We Go Back Again (Mason Brothers Book #1)

Chapter 13

EDEN

“Is it time to go yet, Mommy?”

“In a little bit, Joseph. I still need to get ready. You don’t think I’m going in this, do you?” I point to my outfit.

“Why not?” Joseph shrugs. “You look like you normally look now.”

I look down at my leggings and fitted tank top and kind of want to be mad at my observant four-year-old, but the kid has a point. Since moving here at the end of August, I have certainly not kept up with my appearance in the way that I normally would. Even when I was a stay-at-home mom, Caleb always told me that I needed to be presentable just in case somebody stopped by. He didn’t even want a neighbor seeing me unkept. Besides wearing expensive clothes, I always had to have my hair done and some make-up on my face. Not too much, though, we wouldn’t want it to look like I was trying to impress anybody else.

Life is just a little bit more casual now. Even when I spend time with Fletcher, I feel like just throwing on jeans and a t-shirt with a nice jacket is good enough. Same with my hair, a nice ponytail, maybe wavy natural hair, and not a lot of make-up. I don’t mind though and since he always tells me I look beautiful or cute or one of his many compliments other compliments. Not that I am dressing for Fletcher, but it is nice to know he finds me attractive no matter what I wear.

I made sure that Joseph was ready to go to the Fall Festival first and then I went into my room and got dressed. We were planning on being there until at least dinner time, which meant the temperature would cool down a bit so I brought a bag to carry a jacket for each of us. With everything ready to go and at the door, it was just a matter of waiting for Fletcher.

“He’s here! He’s here!” Joseph was jumping up and down at the front window watching Fletcher’s truck drive down the long driveway and pull up in front of the house. I grab the bag while Joseph runs out of the house and down to Fletcher’s truck, almost barreling him over with a hug.

“What’s up, little man? Are you excited about the festival?”

“What’s the festival got anyway, Fletch?”

“Let’s see there are games and bouncy houses. They usually have live bands playing music and then lots and lots of food.”

Joseph rubs his stomach in an exaggerated motion, “I looooovveeee food.”

Fletcher barks out a laugh,” I do too, Joey. My mom says it is because I’m a growing boy. I bet your mom says the same thing about you. We’ll make sure you get plenty to eat today.”

“Maybe cotton candy?”

“We’ll have to ask your mom. Maybe you can get a treat if you also get something like a meal.”

Joseph nods his head, agreeing with Fletcher. “That sounds like a good idea. Is that a good idea, Mommy?”

“I think we can do that.” I run my hand through Joseph’s hair and then point over to my car, “I’m going to go get his car seat and then we can head out.”

“No need,” Fletcher says with a proud look on his face.

“What?” Fletcher opens the door to the back of his truck and there is a car seat already buckled in and ready to go. While I stand there frozen, Joseph wastes no time climbing into the truck and gets himself situated. “You bought a car seat for him?”

“I did,” Fletcher says like it is no big deal. “I figured if we were going to be doing things together it made sense that I had one. I hope that’s okay. I did a lot of research and asked Carly and she said this was the one Abram has so I figured it would work for Joey too.”