Page 113 of Hot Stuff
“Hey.” Oakley bumps her hip against mine and I lift my arm for her to slide under it. “What are you doing?”
“Watching.” I tip my chin in the direction of Micky and Pa.
“Oh.”
We’ve been home three days and Micky has settled in so well no one would guess he hasn’t lived here his whole life.
He and Pa are thick as thieves and getting into all kinds of things together. Today it’s the slide attached to the new two-story cubby house that was delivered yesterday afternoon.
I don’t know how we managed to keep either of them from seeing it until today. But the joy on both their faces was worth it.
“Amos called.”
“Yeah?” I take my eyes off Micky to look at Oakley.
“They charged her with fraud and child endangerment.”
“Thank fuck.” I turn and wrap myself around my wife. “I hope they lock her up with a cellmate named Bertha.”
Oakley laughs and pokes my side. “Who’s getting bloodthirsty now? I thought that was my role in this relationship.”
“When it comes to you and Micky being threatened, I’ll always be bloodthirsty. Besides, someone wise once told me the best partnerships aren’t one for one. They’re about balance and in the most successful relationships that balance tips back and forth.”
“Hmm…I wonder who this wise woman was?” She grins up at me. “In other news, we’re heading out tomorrow.”
“We are? I thought we were going to wait and go on our honeymoon later.”
“Oh, this isn’t that. We’re going with Blake to Parry Sound then we’ll head to Michael’s to pack up more of Micky’s things.”
I blow out a breath. “Do you think we should take him back there so soon?”
“Yes. Sara will meet us there with her two. She said Micky can play at her house if we don’t want him underfoot but I think we’ll get her to stay at Michael’s with us so she can tell us about their life.”
“Okay. Is Pa coming with us? He mentioned wanting to thank Sara for looking after Micky.”
I still can’t believe Kristina told the woman I couldn’t take Micky due to my injury but I’m glad he was with someone familiar for those months after his father died. I shudder when I think about the possibility of Kristina taking him back then.
“I think so, but I’ll ask him.” Her gaze moves to the swing set where Micky is now yelling for Pa to push him higher. “Although, I’m not sure we could separate them.”
“No. They’ve been glued to each other since we came home.”
“Do you mind?”
“What?” My gaze comes back to her. “Mind that Micky is smiling and talking? No, I don’t mind at all.”
“I meant that Pa is monopolizing all Micky’s time.”
“No. They won’t have that forever. And Micky deserves someone totally devoted to him right now.”
“Pa is definitely devoted.” She smiles over at them. “I haven’t seen him this happy since Grams was alive.”
I hold her tighter and press my lips to the top of her head. “Have I told you how much I love you today, Mrs. Alcott?”
“Yes, Mr. Alcott, you have, but I’ll happily listen to you tell me again.” Tipping her head up, her gaze meets mine. “When.”
Anyone else would be confused by that one word. Me? I know what she’s asking for and I give it to her.
Slow and sweet and a little un-PG.
