Page 81 of Townshipped
“I’m just going to take a minute to dress. Okay?”
I sleep in my boxers once the nights stay warm enough that we won’t have a freeze. Well, maybe that habit’s gone the way of peaceful mornings. I may have to start wearing pj bottoms, or at least keeping them right next to me on my nightstand.
Paisley doesn’t say a word. She turns and I assume she heads to her room to dress herself.
When I come out of my room, the upstairs is quiet, but I hear voices in the kitchen. Em’s up.
I walk downstairs to see the two kids seated at the island and Em in her T-shirt and pajama bottoms.
“I got her up too,” Ty says.
Em chuckles. “Best alarm clock ever.”
“How’d he wake you?” I ask.
I walk to the coffee pot and pull down a mug. Nectar of the gods. Rocket fuel. Brain juice. I’ve heard coffee called all those terms before and dismissed them. This morning I’m hoping all of them apply and then some.
“He came into my room.” Em pauses and gives me a knowing look. “And he climbed on my bed.”
“And I said guh morning, just wike I said to you, Uncle Aiden. I didn’t pull her covers off her. ’Cause she’s a girl.”
“She is,” I say, smiling at Em over his head.
She’s beaming at Ty like he’s her new favorite person. Paisley’s hanging back. I’m about to say something to her when Em moves around Ty’s barstool and says something conspiratorially to Paisley. A shy smile dawns on Paisley’s face.
I’m dying to know what they said, but I’d rather be out of the loop if it means Paisley is put at ease.
“Paisley and I are going to be boss girls and cook breakfast while you two feed the goats. We’ll get to see the animals later.”
Paisley gives a nod of agreement. Ty nearly topples scrambling off the barstool.
“Come on, Uncle Aiden. Those goats are hungry!”
28
AIDEN
Today went unexpectedly smoothly. We picked Granger up from the Whites after they got out of church. Mrs. White invited us to stay for lunch. You don’t say no to an invitation like that around here, so we stayed.
Paisley and Ty toured the Whites’ hog barn and spent the drive home asking me why I don’t get a pig—or ten. Ty thinks I need ten so they don’t get lonely. And for all who want to know—and those who don’t—Wild Krattshad episodes on both the domestic pig and the wild boar. Ty entertained us with details from both, along with sound effects.
This led to Em, Ty, and me making snorting noises to see which one of us sounded like the best pig. Who would have known all it took was me squeaking, oinking, and grunting to finally hear what Paisley’s laugh sounds like? It’s my new favorite sound. After she caved with that laugh, she joined in and the four of us made pig noises the rest of the ride home.
Now we’re home and Em’s going to curl up with the kids on the couch to read them a chapter book from the selection on Paisley’s shelves.
Despite the ease of our first two half days together, I’m feeling stir crazy. I shoot off a quick text. When the response comes through, I quickly weigh my options.
“I have a favor to ask you,” I say to Em before she joins Paisley and Ty in the living room.
“Anything.”
“I need to run into town on a quick errand. Do you feel comfortable staying with the kids?”
“Sure.”
“Are you really sure? I could take them to Karina’s or Mom’s. I don’t want you to feel like I’m taking advantage or putting you in an awkward position.”
“We’re already going to your mom’s tonight for family night. She doesn’t need the kids at her place before that. Just run your errand. We’ll be fine. How long will you be?”
