Page 125 of Surly Sheriff
Without a word, she lifted the covers beside her.
Moments later the bed heaved under his weight, and his head settled on the pillow next to hers.
She twisted and switched off the lamp, turned back and lay down facing him, pulling the covers over her shoulders.
The hallway light cast enough illumination to see his outline, but not his expression. They lay still for a minute, maybe two, just staring at each other in the semi-dark before Beau muttered something about being a damned fool. The bed moved and he hauled her closer, burying his face in her neck, breathing deeply.
Her bottom arm pinned between their bodies, Rae moved her free hand and smoothed it over his shoulder and neck. “Sleep, Beau. I’ve got you.”
His breathing evened out, warm gusts of air over her neck and chest, but he didn’t loosen his hold.
Beau had said not to read anything into his actions, but the mere fact that he was in bed with her,their bed, gave Rae the sliver of hope that all was not lost.
And she closed her eyes to that thought and let sleep pull her under.
*
When she woke again, it was to a stiff arm and an empty bed.
And a note on top of her paperback.
Taken Xena for a run.
29
Semper fi
Jack’s fourth birthday dawned to clear skies, perfect weather for a day on the banks of the creek edging one side of the Armstrong farm. Sunny’s invitation to spend the day with them was a true blessing. The older children had returned from their summer camp, and the prospect of a day in the company of his new cousins and Molly and her siblings had the birthday boy hopping with excitement from the moment he opened his eyes that morning …
“It’s my birthday, Momma!” Jack’s loud cry woke her and a mere second later his body landed on top of her, knocking the breath from her lungs. “Look what Daddy got me!” Bouncing on the bed, he shook the large plastic container. “Legos! A fire engine set.”
She grabbed hold of the package, mostly to prevent the corner from hitting her head, and maneuvered up against the headboard. Jack settled back with her and pointed to thepictures on the lid, but the appearance of Beau in the doorway distracted her.
“Morning,” he said, crossing the room. It was his first time entering the bedroom since the night he spent with her. He had retreated from her after that, only conversing about matters relating to Jack. Over the days, her hope that their relationship was redeemable dwindled, leaving a realization of their new normal — being civil to each other while co-parenting Jack.
But sometimes Beau’s actions rekindled her hope … like bringing her coffee in bed.
He placed the mug on the nightstand. “Sorry about waking you, but Jack was so excited.”
“That’s fine,” she said, hugging their son closer.
Her action elicited a protest from him. “You’re squishing me, Momma.”
She loosened her hold, and he wriggled away.
“Can we go build Legos, Daddy?”
Beau cocked his eyebrows. “What did I tell you, son?”
Scrunching his nose, Jack grumbled, “Dress and breakfast first.”
“Correct. Now” — Beau indicated over his shoulder to the door — “hop to it.”
Jack slid from the bed, holding the handle of the red plastic container and skulked from the room.
Beau’s indulgent smile dimmed as Jack disappeared down the hallway.
Was he thinking of the missed birthdays?
