Page 34 of Never Fall Again

His dad, Craig Shaw, came to stand beside him. “That her?” He nodded in Landry’s direction. “She the one who has you all in knots?”

Cal didn’t bother to respond.

His dad kept going. “Good to see Bronwyn back.”

“Yeah.”

“Mo’s in the house.”

And now Cal knew why his dad had come over. “Thanks, Dad.”

“No problem.” He clapped Cal on the shoulder. “You know, your mother and I, we wouldn’t say no to another granddaughter.”

“Dad. Don’t.”

With a grin and a wink, Craig Shaw jogged to the line and inserted himself right between Landry and Bronwyn. He hugged Bronwyn. Shook Landry’s hand. Both women smiled at him.

Landry would be fine. He needed to find Mo.

As he walked, he scanned the group of kids until he spotted Eliza. She and Abby were giggling about something.

She’s not your responsibility. Landry doesn’t need your help.He turned on that thought and marched into the house.

Mo sat in the den with his laptop. A glass of tea to his right. Maisy on his left. So that’s where she’d gotten to.

The newly clean-shaven Mo didn’t look up as Cal sat in the chair across from him. “Your dog is a pain in the rear.”

“Yeah. She’s a real pest.”

Mo’s response was a tiny quirk of his lips.

Cal dove in. “They stayed for lunch.”

“I know.”

“You can’t avoid her forever.”

That got Mo’s attention. “I’m not avoidingher. I’m sparing my family any needless awkwardness. She’s welcome here anytime. Always has been. Everyone loves her, and they’ve missed her.”

“You miss her too.”

Mo didn’t deny it. “I’m used to it. Nothing’s going to change there. Why don’t you go eat? Flirt with Landry.”

“That was a low blow.”

“Not sorry.” Mo’s words were firm, but his hand left the keyboard and drifted over Maisy’s head. He blew out a long breath. “Why are they here?”

Cal told him.

Mo closed the laptop. “You’re going to do it?”

“Yeah.”

Mo dropped his head back against the sofa.

“Is that going to be a problem? To be honest, I thought you’d approve.”

“I do.” Mo spoke to the ceiling.