Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 115288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 576(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 576(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
“Not too lenient. It’s not like they feed her a pound of sugar and let her watch TV all day. It’s more that they’ll let her have a cookie or a glass of chocolate milk, or watch two episodes of her favorite show instead of one. The rules aren’t as … rigid. What I’m worried about is how Peyton is going to handle being back with her granny when we do go to visit.”
“Ah. I see, because the rules were stricter?” Harley asks.
“Exactly. Things were pretty cut and dry with her granny, but here, there are a lot more gray areas. And my parents haven’t had the past seven years with her.”
“Does that make them less likely to say no to Peyton?”
I consider that for a moment. “Maybe a bit. But it’s more that they’re polar opposites to her granny, so it’s getting used to a new set of rules. It’s not just Peyton making an adjustment, it’s all of us.”
Harley nods, her smile sympathetic. “I get what you mean. It was tough to get used to my grandmother’s rules and how they changed when she went from being a grandparent to a stand-in mom. There were growing pains there, and you’re experiencing the same thing. The good thing is that Peyton is old enough to understand there are different rules in place depending on who she’s with. Most kids realize their grandparents are willing to sneak them treats that their parents won’t allow.”
“In this case, it was me always sneaking Peyton the treats when her granny wasn’t looking.” And getting lectured on my parenting when I didn’t do things the same way Karen did.
“Mm.” She nods knowingly. “That must have been a tough line to toe, what with how involved they’ve been.”
I nod. “It could be stifling at times. All I was doing in Boulder was working and being a father. I didn’t have time for a social life, and most of my friends were still here. In some ways I feel bad for taking Peyton away from everything familiar again, but Colorado Springs has always felt more like home. It’s still a lot of change for both of us.”
“Change is always supposed to be uncomfortable. It’s how you know you’re making the right choice,” Harley says thoughtfully.
“You’re too wise for someone your age,” I say.
She laughs. “I’m not twenty anymore, Gavin. And I had to grow up fast. So did you.” She blows out a breath. “Anyway, I’m always here to help if you need it.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that. I appreciate you.” I shake my head at how awkward I’m making things. “I mean, I appreciate you making yourself available for Peyton, especially with how busy you already are.”
“I wouldn’t have said yes if I didn’t have the time.” She props her chin on her fist. “How was your emergency meeting? You said it went better than expected?”
“Oh yeah, it was just about getting approval on a couple of tweaks on a design.”
“Oh? What are you designing?”
“A park, but it’s a much larger scale than the ones I’m used to working on, which has been an amazing challenge.”
“Do you have drawings?”
“I do. They’re on my computer. Do you want to see them?” I can’t quite tell if she’s just being polite or if she’s genuinely interested.
The way her eyes light up gives me the answer. “Absolutely! But only if you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind. They’re in my office, though.” I give her an out if she wants one.
“Lead the way.”
She falls into step beside me, and we stop when we pass Peyton’s room so I can check on her. It’s a habit I doubt I’ll be able to break anytime soon. She’s curled up on her side with Hoppy tucked under her chin. I pull the door closed and we continue past my bedroom to the end of the hall.
I push through the door to my office, which looks out over the backyard. A trail of lights leads to a pergola where I often work on weekend mornings with coffee.
“Your backyard is amazing. The view of the mountains in the distance is picture-worthy. Peyton and I sat out there and ate dinner tonight.”
“You’ll have to come back another time and have dinner out there with me,” I say as I drop into my chair, then rush to add, “I mean with me and Peyton.” I cringe internally. The way that came out made it sound like I’m asking her on a freaking date. Not that I would be completely opposed to that, but Peyton is already attached to Harley, and complicating this with things like dates probably isn’t the best plan. Especially when I’m still getting my feet under me after this move, and Harley and I are just getting reacquainted.
“We can make bunny pizzas again since they were such a winner this time around.” Harley stands behind me, hand resting on the back of the chair as I pull up the designs and show her the three-dimensional rendering of the park. It’s huge, over a square mile of land with trails, a skate park, and a children’s play structure, along with several open green spaces lined with trees.