Page 41 of Collision of Winters
“You’ll sit behind me,” I said. “It’s bumpy out there, and I won’t be able to concentrate if I have to worry about you driving your own vehicle.”
He cracked a soft grin, but I didn’t particularly like the wistfulness in his eyes. “You’re such a Daddy.”
Yes, I am.
“Is that a bad thing?” I wondered.
His expression turned wry, and he even felt I deserved an eye roll. “It is when you were just rejected.”
“I didn’t reject you, blue,” I replied patiently. “I asked for a moment to gather my thoughts.”
That didn’t sway him. Instead, he started walking toward the vehicles. “And we all know what that means—especially when it’sinappropriate. Let’s go before I get pissy again, okay?”
Stubborn little shit.
So be it. If he wanted to wallow unnecessarily for a while longer, by all means. But we weren’t leaving yet. If this joyride played out the way I pictured, I was going to want him in my arms in that hot tub later.
“You can go pack us some snacks and water,” I told him. “Grab my rifle from the gun safe too. I always bring it when I go out there. I’m gonna get the hose from the shed so we can fill the tub.”
The water came straight from the stream, and it was gonna take a long time to fill the tub. Which was why we had to do it now. And get a fire going.
The system was primitive, but it worked.
Atlas ran ahead, with Cat following closely, and Prince and Tundra ran alongside the four-wheeler.
“Oh, that was a big one!” Kayden laughed.
Christ, this boy. I smiled to myself and drove over another patch of dead shrubs, and he cracked up.
The cold air felt good, but nothing compared to Kayden’s excitement.
Nothing killed a bad mood like an adrenaline rush.
Snow and wind whipped against my face, as if to remind me the bad weather hadn’t passed just yet. It would be dark within a few hours too, so I didn’t want to venture too far.
When we were about twenty minutes away from the cabin, I slowed to a stop so the dogs could sniff around for a while.Kayden dismounted the vehicle, handed over his helmet, and immediately darted over to play with Prince. I placed the helmet between my feet, then double-checked to make sure my rifle was secured.
“Yeah, you’re such a good doggie!” the boy gushed. He tossed a liver snap into the air, and Prince jumped and caught it. Kayden applauded.
Being out here usually brought me peace. Now I felt my own personal storm brewing within me, gaining strength from every moment I shared with Kayden.
The sky remained an angry gray shade, which stole the color from the low shrubs that poked up from the snow. When the sun was out, it could be fucking stunning. From the bright-green moss that covered the rocks to the small bushes that shifted in red, brown, and orange.
I unfastened my water bottle and took a couple swigs.
That inner peace evaded me, but it wasn’t a bad thing. I had something new to look forward to. Kayden washappy. And unafraid to get his hands dirty. He chased the dogs around, barking back when they did, and rolled around with Prince and Tundra.
“No way, you can’t catch me!” Kayden smiled widely and sprinted right out, with all four dogs chasing after and wagging their tails.
What a goofball. He looked too funny in those pants too, because they belonged to Chris. Kayden hadn’t considered bringing proper outdoor wear.
“Okay, okay, you caught me!” he panted through laughter.
I grinned.
Was he sinking back into his Middle mode? Nothing would make me happier.
The trip was already a success, either way. He was smiling again.
