Love and Leftovers Read Online Free Page A

"I'm up early to help you collect stuff from the beach."
    "Early isn't usually this early," Lucy said, rubbing her eyes.
    "Alexa's going to be gone for a week. She needs to stock up."
    "I'll go get her."
    The morning was chilly, so they pulled on sweatshirts and headed down the path to the beach. Shells and bits of glass dotted the sand. "Hurry up before someone else gets them!" Alexa shouted.
    At that early hour, the beach was empty. The sand was slick and smooth, without the usual clutter of footprints; it was as if no one had ever been there before them.
    Alexa snatched up her treasures like it was an Easter egg hunt, shrieking with delight at her finds.
    "Being at the beach with a kid makes everything more fun," Tate said.
    Lucy stopped walking, surprised. Tate really liked Alexa - he wasn't just tolerating her and being kind for Lucy's sake. She resisted the urge to reach for his hand in front of Alexa.
    With two buckets full of beach glass and shells and sand dollars and odds and ends, they went back to Lucy's house, where Tate made them cinnamon apple pancakes. Oh, she would miss his food when the summer was over.
    Her stomach was a fluttering mess as the morning rolled on. In a few hours, she and Tate would be moving things to the next level.
    They shared a smile across the table.
    "I should get back to my place and get some work done," he said.
    "I'll see you later."
    "Yes, you certainly will." With a playful smile, he pushed away from the table.

    * * *
    Mike showed up right after dinner. Alexa left her half-eaten hotdog on the plate and rushed into his arms with an excited, "Daddy!"
    Mike scooped her up and swung her around. "We're going to have so much fun!" He buried his face in her hair and held her for a long time, until she squirmed to get down. She slid out of his arms and he looked at Lucy. "This place is great! You guys having fun?" He smiled, but she could see through it to his pain.
    Lucy crossed her arms, like that would provide extra protection for her heart. Moments like this were always hard. "Yes, lots of fun, but she misses you."
    "I missed her, too, and you. You're welcome to come to the family reunion. My mom made a point of saying so." His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed.
    Lucy pressed her lips together and looked off over the ocean. "No, you two need time together, but please tell your mom I said thank you. Alexa's things are packed. I'll go get them." She went inside, where Alexa's suitcase and the bunny blankie she still slept with sat at the bottom of the stairs.
    She closed her eyes for a moment, keeping her emotions in check. She was not going to let Mike wiggle his way back into her heart. He knew that she was dismayed over breaking up their family. It would've been easier if he cheated on her, or was a drunk - then her resolve wouldn't be shaken.
    Be strong.
    She stepped onto the deck and forced a smile. "I'll see you next Sunday, Alexa. Come here for big hugs."
    Alexa wrapped her arms around Lucy's neck and squeezed. "Will you tell Tate goodbye?"
    Mike cocked his head. "Who's Tate?"
    "He's our neighbor for the summer," Lucy said, gesturing to his house.
    "He's a good cook," Alexa said.
    Mike pressed his lips together. "I see. I'm sure you'll enjoy your time alone."
    Alexa held Lucy's hand and then reached for Mike's. "Do you want to come too, Mommy?"
    The three of them were linked by Alexa in the middle, desperate to see her parents back together. But Lucy let go of her hand.
    "You're going to have great fun with Daddy."
    Mike picked Alexa up. "Come on, pumpkin, let's go."
    "Bye, Mommy." Alexa opened and closed her little hand.
    Lucy blinked back tears and watched them climb in Mike's truck and drive away. Her heart sank. Had she done the right thing in leaving him? Breaking up their little family? How would she ever know?
    There was no point in rehashing this all again. Desperate to push the uncertain feelings away, she stared at her toes, noting their need for a new coat of pink