I hear him chuckle softly. "You have to be with me forever. My life is nothing without that."
"I can't be without you," I confess. "I hate the thought of us apart."
"You'll marry me then?" I can hear the smile in the words.
I twist quickly around so I'm facing him. I run my finger over his brow. "Is that a proposal?"
"Will you say yes if it is?"
I purse my lips together and shake my head slightly.
"It's not a proposal yet then." He laughs. "Cory told me you're going to train him to be an artist."
"He what?" I pull back and cock a brow. "I'm training Cory to be an artist?"
"That's the word he's spreading around." I can tell that he's trying desperately hard to hide his amusement.
My eyes open wide as I realize what he's talking about. "I'm taking him to the art store this afternoon. That's what you mean?"
He nods softly. "You're teaching him to paint a giraffe."
I smile at the mention of Cory's latest interest. His love of giraffes is quickly overtaking his fondness for toy trains. Today we're going to an art store near campus to get him supplies so he can paint some pictures of his new favorite animal.
"He's going to teach me," I correct him. "I'm just letting him choose his implements of creation at the art store."
"You're going to be an amazing mom." He pulls his gaze down but not before I see tears welling in the corners of his eyes.
I reach to tilt his chin back up. "If I'm half a good of a parent as you are, I'll be really lucky." I mean each and every word. He's an amazing dad. He's willing to sacrifice so much for Cory.
"You'll take the car then?" It's a statement that's faintly veiled as a question.
"Why? Cory loves the bus." He really does. It's always an adventure taking him with me on the bus. He loves interacting with everyone we meet and he always brings a smile to the people around him. Who wouldn't have their spirits lifted by a beautiful little boy with red hair?
He bends his elbow so he can rest his head in his hand. I stare at the way his arm flexes. "Sadie. I have someone tracking Peter's movements."
My eyes dart to his. "Why? Where is he?"
"In Memphis right now. He's got family there."
I feel a shudder race through me when I realize that Hunter really does feel threatened by this man. "Isn't there something you can do? Can't you call the police?"
He tries to raise a smile to his lips but I can tell the worry is overshadowing everything else. "He's dangerous, volatile and I don't trust his motivations."
I respond without any hesitation. "You're worried about what he's going to do, aren't you?"
He pulls me into his chest. I feel his strong arms surround me. "I love you and Cory too much to take any chances."
Chapter 18
"You might as well just hire us a bodyguard," I tease as I enter the kitchen.
He raises a brow without even the hint of a smile on his face.
"No." I reach to grab hold of the counter. "You're not serious?"
"I haven't yet." He hands me a cup of coffee. "If he gets any closer to Boston, I'll have no choice."
"Hunter." I lean back against the granite of the countertop. "There has to be a way to make him go away. Isn't he on probation or something? How can he just roam around the country?"