Page 57 of Home in the Country
“You do?”
“Definitely. What do you say we go home and you can show me your library book and we make Mom dinner?”
“Yeah!”
His entire body moves with the fist pump he does, and I chuckle as I ruffle his hair and help him into his booster seat. Briggs is such an awesome kid, and I can’t help but wish for more days like today.
18
FALLON
My nerves are shot by the time I’m finally pulling in to my driveway and it’s only half from being trapped at work all day.
The lights are on inside, and I park next to Otto’s truck before taking a deep breath and climbing out. Calling him had been a last resort and even though I trust him to keep Briggs safe, the idea of relying on him after I’ve created this weird thing between us has me on edge.
Regardless of how kind he’s been these last few weeks, this is still different. Caring for a child that isn’t yours is not the same as dropping off dinner.
And that’s another thing. Between Hank and Isla bringing premade meals for Briggs and me and Rhea delivering a spa basket, I’m on emotional overload.
I’m so very thankful, but what I need is a six-foot-tall man with wild brown hair and eyes the color of a glacier when the sun hits them just right. My fingers massage the space between my eyebrows to stave off the headache that’s lurking beneath the surface.
I think our sudden platonic friendship is screwing with my head because I’ve neverwantedtojust be friendswith Otto Thayer.
Music plays softly as I push open the door, and the sight before me takes my breath away.
“Mommy!”
“Hi, baby.” I drop my bag on the floor as my son launches himself into my arms. I squeeze him tight and eye Otto over his shoulder.
The man has a shy smile on his face and is stirring something on the stove that smells heavenly.
“Did you have a good day?”
“Yes!” Briggs jumps up and pulls me toward the table where papers are spread out with crayons, colored pencils, and markers.
“Wow. These look great!” I beam at my son and he gives me the brightest smile in return. Goodness radiates from him, and I take a moment to soak it up.
“Otto said Daddy would like a picture.” He holds up a piece of green construction paper with…something drawn on it.
“He’ll love it, Briggs. Tell me about it.”
He launches into an explanation of an airplane with a big hand waving and a dog, and I make a note to label each item before we send it to Tanner.
“And we saw plllllanes, Mommy!”
“That’s so great, baby. How about you make one more picture and then clean everything up so we can eat, okay?”
“Okay, Mommy.”
I kiss the top of his hair and breathe him in and let the stress of the day finally go.
Otto’s back is propped against the counter, and I let my gaze wander slowly up his body. I probably shouldn’t, but he has this effortless sexy thing going on with his jeans and fitted gray shirt, and I know I look like a swamp monster after a full day of eighth graders and then parent conferences.
My makeup melted off somewhere between stuffing my turkey sandwich in my mouth during my prep period and realizing that I’d only been wearing one earring for the first half of the day. I touched up myself the best I could before the parents arrived, but I ended up being morelacking sleepthanfresh-faced.
Otto lifts a single brow as my eyes finally land on his.
“That wasn’t veryfriendly,Princess.” The low drawl of his voice coupled with the use of the nickname has my pulse kicking up a notch.
