Page 76 of Scorched

Elise turned with the tray of burgers and hotdogs. “The burgers are done. We can eat now, if you’re that hungry.”

He took the tray from Elise and handed it to Mel. Then he took both of Elise’s hands and called out, “Brandon, Luke, initiate big surprise.”

Brandon blinked. “Now?”

Paul nodded. “Now.”

Elise tugged on her hands, but Paul held steady but gently. “Hang on a minute. The boys have a mission they’ve trained for.” He lifted his chin toward Elise’s sons.

Luke and Brandon ran to the doghouse they’d helped build that the dogs had yet to use and dove inside. After a scuffling around, they emerged. Brandon was out first, carrying what looked like small white pieces of posterboard close to their chests, mischievous smiles fluttering across their lips.

A few feet from where Paul held Elise’s hands, they stopped.

“Ready?” Paul asked.

“Ready, sir,” Brandon responded.

Paul nodded. “Proceed with Operation Big Leap.”

“What’s this all about?” Elise asked, her pulse pounding through her veins.

“Shh,” Paul hushed her. “Let them proceed.”

Elise clamped her lips closed and watched as Brandon flipped a white sheet of posterboard over. On it were written bold letters drawn with marker pens.

MOM

Brandon laid his board on the ground and stood back.

Luke struggled and almost dropped his stack of boards. Finally, he flipped one that was drawn in crayon.

WILL YOU

Luke laid his first card on the ground and straightened.

Brandon held up his next card.

MARRY

Elise’s heart leaped into her throat. She pressed a hand to her mouth, holding her breath as Luke struggled with his cards and dropped one on the ground.

PAUL

Brandon’s lips twisted and a frown settled across his forehead. He laid out the remainder of his cards on the ground.

The words didn’t make sense.

SO CAN YOUR AND DAD?

Brandon grabbed Luke’s set and tried to take them from him.

“No,” Luke said. “These are mine. I’ll do it.” He dropped the cards face-up on the ground.

HE BE HUSBAND OUR

Brandon quickly rearranged the words.

MOM WILL YOU MARRY PAUL SO HE CAN BE YOUR HUSBAND AND OUR DAD?

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