Page 80 of Fighting For Light
She nods and takes a shaky, deep breath. “Okay, hurry back.” She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
I hate doing this to her. I hate that she even has to think about these things.
“Will do.” I hop out of the truck and unhook the RV. I grab my gun from my waistband and look around the house. Everything is normal. Nothing went off on my phone. Usually, I would act as if there is nothing amiss, but I’m changing my tactics, especially with my wife here.
I open the door to the house, and it smells stale. Which is a good sign, meaning that doors and windows haven’t been opened. I clear every corner, room, and closet. It’s clear. I take a deep breath and return to Cordi. Grabbing the handle of the truck, I swing it open, and she jumps. Reaching around her, I turn the truck off and pocket the keys. “It’s all good, baby.” Her cheeks puff out, and she nods. I grab her hands to help her out of the truck.
She looks at the house. It’s nothing special, but her bright eyes sparkle as she takes in the two-story white adobe finish with light blue shutters. I clear my throat, suddenly nervous. “What do you think?”
She grins and looks at me. “I love it. I can’t wait to see what it looks like on the inside.”
“It’s kind of bland. I’m not here very often, so you can…change whatever you want.” She giggles and reaches for my hand. “What?” I ask her.
She shakes her head, biting her lower lip. “I don’t get to see you flustered very often.”
I blow out a breath and lift my hand to run it through my hair, but I forget my hat’s in the way. She giggles more and takes a step towards the house.
I grab her waist. “Wait, wait, wait, baby.”
“What, Kai? I’m sure it’s fine. It probably just needs awoman’s touch.”
I grin and pull her into my arms. “That’s not what I was talking about,” I tell her as I stoop down to grab her right below her knees.
“Kai—“ she says breathlessly. I lift her into my arms, holding her bridal style as her hands hook around my neck. “Please be careful,” she says.
“I’ve got you,” I grin and kick the door open, carrying her over the threshold. She looks at me instead of the house around us.
“I love you.” She grasps my face and slams her lips on mine. My arms squeeze around her, and I start walking upstairs. “Wait,” she says, pulling away.
My feet stop. “What?”
She kisses me briefly. “I have to pee,” she says, giggling.
I set her back on her feet, making sure she’s steady before I let go. “Down the hall to the right.” She grins and walks off.
While she’s doing that, I work on cleaning and unloading the RV.
“Kai?” Cordelia calls.
“In here,” I yell from inside.
“Oh, let me help you,” she says and goes into our room, trying to carry one of her bags.
I pull it out of her hands. “Nope, you don’t lift anything. The only thing you’re allowed to carry is that baby and your butt up to the bathtub to relax because I know your back hurts. I will take care of this,” I say, gesturing to her packed bags and the groceries we need to put in the fridge.
“Kai, I can definitely carry my backpack.”
“Good to know. Now go,” I tell her, gesturing for the door. She sighs and rolls her eyes.
“I guess if you need me, I’ll be in the tub.” She kisses me on the cheek and strides into the house.
***
After unloading and locking up the trailer, I carry the boxes of baby items I ordered from the garage, where Emerson put them for me, and bring them into the house. Smiling to myself, I climb the stairs to see if she’s still in the tub. It feels like Christmas morning, but it’s not December, and nothing is wrapped. In the master bathroom, Cordelia has her eyes closed and her head tilted back in the tub. When I bought the house, I didn’t remodel much, but I did do the kitchen and the bathrooms. The tub is freestanding and big enough for two people.
I stand there for a heartbeat, looking at her, trying to memorize the picture. Never in a million years did I imagine I would have my best friend naked in my tub at home.
“Are you going to join me?” she asks.
