Page 42 of Away We Go

I watch as she fills a medium-sized box with kitchen, pantry and laundry essentials. She then adds a few non-essentials, like toys and non-perishable treats. Once done, she seals it and places it in the truck behind her. The entire process from start to finish takes about fifteen minutes, and I look around at the dozen or so people volunteering today and wonder how much they can get done in a day.

They need more help.

Feeling motivated to get as much done as I can while I’m here, I get to work. I fill box after box with a sense of accomplishment, knowing that there are real people on the other end of this production line.

“Need some help?”

I let go of the box I’m carrying and the contents are saved from landing scattered all over the floor by a strong pair of hands catching it for me.

“Nicky?”

My mind must be playing tricks on me.Have I been craving more time with him so much that I’ve conjured him up out ofthin air?

“Where does this go?”

I shake my head and my Nicky mirage doesn’t disappear. He’s still standing in front of me, wearing a backwards cap with a few curls peeking out the sides, and his trademarked smirk.

“Over there.” I point to the truck and marvel at the ease with which he transports the heavy box to its destination.

“What are you doing here?” I ask when he returns to stand next to me. “How did you find me?”

Has he got James out here covertly following me?

“I called Sue.”

“You called Sue?” I repeat.

“Yes, I called Sue, and she told me where to find this place.”

Okay, that’s not so bad. At least poor James hasn’t spent the day tailing me.

I tug on his sleeve to pull him in closer. “That still doesn’t explain what you’re doing here.”

He shrugs. “I have the afternoon off. I’d like to help. And I get to spend time with you, so it’s a win-win for me.”

My heart goes pitter-patter at this declaration, and I pinch the soft spot under my arm to make sure I’m not dreaming.

He came here because he wants to spend time with me.

“That’s great.” I wince at the breathy quality of my voice, ignoring how the smirk grows on his face as he registers it. The man knows when he’s getting to a woman.

It must happen to him all the time.

Ignoring my racing heart, I beam up at him, pulling him in for a hug. His arms go instantly around my back and I waste no time breathing him in. Who knows when my next Nicky hit will be?

“We should get to work.” I’m reluctant to step back and so when his hands don’t drop, I sink into him just a little.

I’m a mere human, afterall.

“And who do we have here?”

Nicky groans softly and his hands leave my body.

“Mallory, this is my friend Nicky. He’s here to help, if that’s okay?”

She takes him in, her smile growing as she checks him out. “Honey, with those arms, he can help all day, every day.”

I laugh as Nicky blushes. “He’s handy to have around.”

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