Page 67 of Her Big Bad Wolf
“We helped,” Cam told her. “Come see.”
It was maddening that I was jealous of a four-year-old as he slipped his little hand into hers and escorted her to the table. And when she lightly brushed against me when she passed, my body responded immediately.
I was starved and it had nothing to do with the food we were about to eat.
“You all made this?” she asked.
The boys nodded proudly.
“Isaac let us help,” Mason said. When she shot him a look, he added, “He told us to drop the mister and just call him Isaac.”
“Can we just call you Vanessa?” Noah said.
She seemed to consider that for a moment. “I suppose it’s okay, but not at school. It sets a bad example for the other kids.”
He nodded. “Deal.”
Cam crawled up in her lap and hugged her. “I wish we could call you mama instead.”
Tears pricked her eyes, and I watched in fascination at the emotions that crossed her face. Was that what she wanted?
Keeping the boys temporarily was one thing, but forever? That was a big commitment I was not ready for.
“I think we should just stick with Vanessa, okay?”
He nodded sadly.
“Now, what do we have here?”
I remained quiet as they explained everything they’d made and served her like she was queen of the house. Maybe because she was.
That thought overwhelmed me.
I ate quietly and kept to myself as she assisted with homework and then ensured they each had a shower before telling them goodnight.
She found me in the kitchen finishing up the dishes when she was done.
“Thanks for letting them help you today.”
I shrugged like it was no big deal. “Might as well earn their keep.”
*****
I had wanted to ask Vanessa to stay over. What the hell did I know about raising kids? But I suspected that would not have gone over well, even if I volunteered to sleep in the guest room and behave myself.
It sucked watching her go, and I was grumpy the rest of the night. Fortunately, the kids kept their distance.
By the time morning came, I was struck with the reality of having to deal with the kids all on my own. It was Saturday, so it wasn’t like I could just send them off to school.
When the rooster crowed, I knew it was past time for me to start my day.
I got up and pulled on my muck clothes to get my chores done.
The second I opened the door, I heard those little piggies rummaging through my kitchen.
“What are you up to?” I barked.
I heard at least one of them yelp.
