Page 68 of Her Second-Hand Mate

“And all your mother’s friends couldn’t stop talking about what a great mother I was, according to you.”

I shrugged.

“You are. You’re not even grossed out by the used diaper pail.”

“I didn’t know that was all it took,” she said seriously but her eyes were smiling.

“It’s the first thing that came to mind since I had the pleasure of taking it out to the porch for pickup this morning.”

One of the females from our pack ran a diaper laundering service, and we were gifted a yearly subscription to her services by Aiden and Mira. It was the best thing ever and, according to Mira, would be even more useful once Gabriel started eating solid foods.

Penelope shook her head. “I’ll go unpack the rest of the presents.”

“Did you enjoy the party?”Please don’t go yet.

“I did,” she smiled brightly. “And Gabriel didn’t even fuss when everyone kept touching him and passing him around.”

“He knows they’re his pack,” I puffed up my chest proudly and Penelope gave me a smile that clearly showed she was humoring me by nodding.

“Let’s take him to the lake tomorrow.”

She frowned, and I could tell she was looking for an excuse to say no. But my mom had finally done me a favor and had arranged to have lunch with Penelope tomorrow, only to cancel at the party.

“Why the lake?” she was buying time.

“It is so hot these days. There’s a lot of shade there, and the water makes it cooler. Gabriel would enjoy it, I think.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll pack the picnic, you just have his stuff ready in the morning, okay?”

“Okay,” she agreed reluctantly, and I had to stop myself from kissing her frown. Progress!

???

Penelope sighed contentedly as she lay on the blanket with Gabriel. Her eyes were closed, and her gorgeous hair was fanned out around her. Gabriel even had some in his chubby little fist. I leaned over to offer him my finger instead.

“Do you hear all the bees, Gabriel, they are busily buzzing around from flower to flower, collecting pollen to make honey. Your dad loves honey very much,” I told him as I looked at Penelope’s full mouth.

Her eyes were still closed, and I could let mine roam over her body freely.

“Have you no shame?” she asked, only half-serious.

I’d forgotten again.

“Not when it comes to you, I don’t.”

She just huffed but I could see a small smile play on her lips, “It’s beautiful here.”

I took one of the glass containers from the cooler and opened it.

“You think Gabriel could stand to be in the car seat for two and a half hours?” I asked, which caused her to open her eyes and sit up to look at me.

I handed her the container with the peach slices. Would she remember the same thing I did?

“Maybe, if we time it right. Why?” she asked as she bit into the peach.

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the sight. I leaned over and took a slice for myself.

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