Chapter 32
Chapter 32
Natalie pushed open the farm gate with the twins in tow. Phil and Giselle had whipped up a feast that could have fed the entire town, all in anticipation of Natalie’s arrival.
The table was filled with familiar faces, including Clifford, the town manager, his kin, Austin and Nicole, all with smiles and waves urging Natalie to take her place.
As Natalie settled into her chair with Zayn and Emma, a warm round of hellos enveloped her. Scarcely had she sat down when Clifford stood up, his voice booming across the table. “Seems James has arrived.”
Their eyes swiveled toward the entrance, where a dapper man stood, his sophistication a stark contrast to the homely setting.
Giselle hurried to greet him. “So glad you could join us, James! I’d mentioned to Clifford this morning, and he told me you might be tied up.”
“Just managed to slip away,” James said, presenting a bag to Giselle. “Grabbed a couple of bottles of wine for the occasion.”
“James, you’re the kind of guest who always knows just what to bring,” Nicole said, her smile warm and genuine.
As James approached, Natalie softly uttered his name, her voice barely audible. “James.”
And James offered a brief nod, his eyes hinting at unspoken words. “You’re back, Nat.”
Natalie prompted the kids to greet him. Zayn and Emma piped up with a polite smile, “Hi, James.”
“Hello there,” James said, ruffling Zayn’s hair. Then, to everyone’s surprise, he pulled out two small toys from his pocket and handed them to the twins.
“Thanks, James!” the twins exclaimed, their faces aglow with excitement.
Then James settled into the seat beside Natalie, a pensive silence settling over them.
Clifford lifted his glass in a toast to James, and soon the men were engrossed in a spirited round of drinks. It wasn’t long before Clifford was wasted and taken home by his family.
Meanwhile, Austin and Phil were engaged in a battle of who could outdrink the other. Zayn and Emma had cleared their plates, their laughter mingling with the other children’s as they played in the yard.
Natalie excused herself for a quick trip to the restroom. As she dried her hands, she noticed James leaning against a pillar. She walked over to him. “James, everything alright?”
“Yeah, Nat,” James replied, pushing off from the pillar with a casual air. “After all these years, I’ve developed quite the tolerance.”
“How about a walk?” James advised, nodding toward the serene lakeside path.
Natalie glanced back at Zayn and Emma, who were fully absorbed in their games, and figured a stroll would be a nice way to wind down after the hearty meal. “That sounds perfect,” she agreed.
Leaving the courtyard behind, they strolled along the winding path that led to the tranquil lakeside. The walking trail was quiet, with just a few folks huddled on the benches and the occasional jogger sprinting by. Their footsteps echoed softly against the silence.
James spoke up, breaking the stillness. “Your kids are big now. It feels like forever since you’ve been back. How’s everything going?”
Natalie replied without a second thought, “I split with their dad. He’s clueless about the twins. After that, Lmoved to Yvengard on my own. I’m just in Janisburg for a bit, taking care of some stuff and paying my respects at Kevin’s grave.” Her words were plain and simple, offering James an update on her life during these past few years.
James’s eyebrows shot up for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. “Just holler if you need anything. It’s got to be tough raising two kids by yourself”
Natalie halted, locking eyes with James, her voice unwavering. It’s really not that hard,” she said firmly. “The kids are my rock, my little angels.” With that, she resumed walking.
“Any plans when you’re heading back to Janisburg? How long are you sticking around this time?” James inquired, his tone light.
“I’m aiming to head back tomorrow. Got some work to wrap up, so I can’t pin down when I’ll be able to swing by again,” Natalie said, her voice steady
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Chapter 32
“I’ll come by and drive you. I’m actually headed to Janisburg myself. With most of my work shifting from Jorlen, I find myself in Janisburg quite a bit more these days,” James offered.
“Works for me,” Natalie said. “James, got a special lady in your life? When’s the big commitment? Time to settle down, don’t you think?”
“You’re just a sprout and already playing Cupid for me,” James teased with a smirk.
“I’m a mom. Sprout days are long gone,” Natalie pouted, sticking her tongue out. Honestly, without the kids, she could easily be mistaken for a fresh–faced college student.
“In my book, you’re still the tag–along you’ve always been,” James said in a nostalgic mood.
Their playful jabs and laughter made it seem like they’d stepped back into their childhood when they were just two rambunctious kids in their hometown.
Feeling the chill, James advised, “We should head back. It’s getting chilly, and your little ones might be missing you.”
“OK,” Natalie agreed. “So, where are you staying tonight?”
“Gonna crash at home. I’ll swing by to get you guys in the morning,” James said, eager to reconnect with his family.
“Okay, stay safe,” Natalie said, as she waved goodbye to James.
Then Natalie made her way back, and James lingered until she was safely inside the farm gate before he made his way home.
The moment Natalie stepped inside, the twins bolted towards her. “Mom! You’re back!” they shouted, their cheeks rosy from play and their hands muddy.
“Let’s get you two cleaned up,” Natalie said, ushering them for a bath. “We’ve got a trip back to Janisburg tomorrow, and James is giving us a ride.”
Post–bath, the twins cuddled under the blankets, and Natalie took her turn in the bath’s warm water. The hum of the water was a backdrop to Zayn and Emma’s hushed conversation.
“Zayn, this is not good. Dad might have some serious competition. James isn’t like those guys Courtney used to fix Mom up with,” Emma whispered, her voice laced with worry.
Zayn, despite his young age, couldn’t help but frown in agreement. Even though he was still on the fence about Shawn, he felt a subtle inclination toward him.
“I can’t just sit here. I’ll text Dad and clue him in. Give him a nudge,” Emma said, pulling out her smartwatch.
She located the number Shawn had provided through Vanessa and opened the WhatsApp chat.
Then she sent a message quickly. [Dad, some guy just went for a walk with Mom. He’s decent–looking, not as hot as you, but he’s a good match for Mom. They’re childhood playmates, and if you don’t step up, Zayn and I might end up with a new dad.]
[Plus, he’s driving us tomorrow, so he’ll have more chances to win Mom over.] Emma hit send on another message, determined to light a fire under
Shawn.
Zayn saw Emma’s bold statement and felt a mix of amusement and resignation. He thought, ‘James is a real contender for Dad. Their childhood bond is something Dad can’t fake. But Dad’s got the charm, and with us on his team, Dad’s still in the lead!
Feeling a sense of relief, Zayn shrugged off his concerns. Soon, he drifted off to sleep with Emma.
However, Shawn, lost in his overtime work at the office, got Emma’s out–of–the–blue WhatsApp messages. After reading them, he just thought, “What does their mom even look like?”
Then he shook his head, thinking he must be really tired from working late to ponder about a woman with children he’d never met. With a
chuc
¡ into hi
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