Heart of the Forest

Chapter 7 Millie's POV

Aunt Juels invited us over for breakfast before I needed to head into work. She would be watching Connor all day for the rest of the week.

Next week he starts at his new Pre-K, so she would only be watching him half a day. I really hoped he wasn't wearing her out.

Everytime I talked to her though she seemed more than pleased to take care of Connor, and always wanted to spend extra time with us. She was just warm and welcoming like that. Not like my parents.

When we arrived she opened the door and pulled us both into a hug. "I am so happy to see you both. I made pancakes, bacon, and eggs for my special boy." She beamed as she bent down to pinch Connor's cheek.

"Yay," he squealed, running to her kitchen table.

"So," she turned to me, "have you met anyone interesting lately?" She smiled super brightly as she asked, taking my hand and leading me to the table. Should I tell her about Sam. Would that be weird?

"Um not really. I ran into Mr. Jenkins the other day. He's a real a....."

"Don't cuss mom." Connor interrupted causing Aunt Jules to chuckle.

The thing about my boy was he had a really big heart. He would not allow me to bash old man Jenkins, and I knew that. I wish I could be more like him.

"You're right baby, sorry"

"Aunt Jules guess what? " Connor spoke while shoving pancakes in his mouth.

"What?"

"We also met sheriff Sam yesterday, and he is going to take us to Chuck E Cheese tonight." So much for keeping a secret.

" Oh that is so nice of Sam. He is a wonderful man." She looked at me smiling all too brightly.

"Yeah I think he wants to be mom's boyfriend." Please kid develop a filter!

"Well, Connor, if so would you approve?" Aunt Juels asked him. What???

"Yeah I mean he's a police officer, and he is offering to buy us pizza at Chuck E Cheese tonight, so why wouldn't I?"

"Well if you approve Connor then I certainly do too. Sam really is a wonderful man. I am so happy." Aunt Jules said looking at me once more. "If you ever want to go out just the two of you. Let me know. I'd be more than happy to watch Connor.

"Oh that won't ever be necessary. I'm not looking to date."

"Well if you ever change your mind I'm always happy to watch Connor."

"I'll keep that in mind," I said awkwardly looking down.

There was a moment's pause then Aunt Jules looked at me with uncertainty before softly speaking, "you know David would want you to be happy right."

"Um yeah I know," there was a hint of unease in my voice and Aunt Jules decided to drop it because right after she told us to dig in and began asking Connor if he was excited about starting school next Monday.

Work was filled with phone calls, cleaning, and checking people in. I guess Wednesday was a busy day. I was definitely okay with work being busy.

It helped me keep thoughts off tonight. I couldn't help but feel nervous. I even forgot to pick out something to wear. What does one wear to Chuck E Cheese with a man? It doesn't matter Millie it isn't a date.

"Whatcha thinking about so hard," Kelsey, who I now call Kels, asked, pulling me out of my thoughts. It had finally died down at the spa and we were both folding towels for the sona room. Should I tell her about tonight?