Of Mountains and Men: A Why Choose Romance

Chapter 10

I feel like I'm floating on clouds the whole way home. I only had one beer so it's not that. I think it's happiness that a male has finally paid attention to me. Not just the normal looks or whatever I'll get at the resort. No, this is three very handsome well to do men wanting to be near me. Could they possibly only want a fun for now? Yes, that could definitely be the case. That wouldn't be so bad though, would it?

I peek in the backseat, Charley is already asleep. I grin, he needs more outings like this, I really never take him out in the evening. There's never a need to. If David's family lived closer, I'd at least be able to have them watch Charley for staff parties. I sigh.

Pulling into our long snowy driveway I look at the house closely, the porch lights are bright. The front yard with the playset is covered in several feet of snow, as are the gardens. The paint is peeling on the outside of the house and has mildew in some spots, but I can't afford to fix it at the moment. They wanted to get to know me, this is who I am.

I turn Rhonda off, gather Charley and get him settled into bed after putting him in pjs, he never even wakes up. Then I go back out and collect all the groceries. I decide to change first then I'll get the roast and veggies in the crockpot in the fridge, so I just have to start it in the morning.

It's midnight before the roast is ready, I practically crawl up the stairs to my bed. I didn't even have time to clean up anything, not that there's anything super messy, but a good vacuuming, and mopping couldn't hurt anything. I'm actually shocked at how tidy Charley and I keep the big farm house. We went over to Lindy's little rental once; it was an experience. Cats everywhere, and clothes everywhere, along with takeout. How she can afford takeout on our salary I'll never know. That is just Lindy by herself, I can't imagine if she ever has kids.

I drift to sleep thinking of three way too handsome men.

...

I'm nervously excited all morning, I can barely keep my attention on the daycare kids.

"Miss Charlotte!" One of the little boys says waving his hand in front of my face.

"Huh," I blink a few times focusing on the seven-year-old in front of me. "Hi, Henry I'm sorry I spaced out there. What do you need sweetheart?"

He rolls his eyes at me, "I finished my picture."

I look down at the ripped pieces of paper all glued back together, in a mess of white. "Oh, it's lovely!" I croon.

He nods, "I wanted mom to see the view, she has a cold and is stuck in the room all day."

"That's unfortunate, I hope she feels better soon."

He nods his head, "Dad says she'll feel better soon, that she just needs lots of rest."

"Is everyone done with their pictures?" Lindy asks. The majority of the kids cheer yes, "Then I think we should take a field trip to the cafeteria for our next project."

We gather the children, I count them all and we proceed to herd them towards the cafeteria towards the two tables we have reserved and prepped with food to string on necklaces. I spend the next twenty minutes bouncing around helping kids make patterns for their necklaces. Amelia's comes out particularly pretty, with macaroni, pretzels and cheerios. I don't make a big deal out of her art, I'll mention to Andrew later that he should consider getting her into jewelry projects, she might have a talent for that.

A few more hours and I'm finally done with work. That might have been the hardest shift I've ever worked. Charley keeps giving me worried glances as I drive carefully home.

"What's on your mind baby boy?"

He huffs, "I not baby."

I let out a little giggle, "You're right, you're growing up so fast. Are you ready to have dinner with the girls and their fathers?"

He looks out the window, "I show them my toys?"

"Yes, you can show them your toys. Maybe let's stay out of the bedrooms, okay?"

"Okay." He gives me a confused look like why I would even bring that up. I give him a smile, then can't help but worry my bottom lip. The other rooms haven't been touched since my parents died. The big five-bedroom house is barely being used to its full potential. I haven't been inside the other rooms in years, I really should start airing them out and getting rid of stuff.

I let out a breath of relief that I'm the first to arrive back. I have time to get the fire going well and change into more comfortable clothes that aren't pjs or jeans.

I'm setting the dining table when a knock sounds on the door. Charley pumps his little legs to reach it before me, thank goodness he can't quite manage to turn the handle. I stick my tongue out at him, scoop him into my arms and throw open the door wide.

"Hi." Priscilla says with a little wave.

"Come inside sweetheart." I tell her, watching as Andrew and Michael carry their girls inside.

"I was not about to get my new shoes snow covered!" Amelia says looking at me accusingly.

I cover my laugh with a cough, "Come on in. Dinner is nearly ready."