“I love her all the way to the sky,” Gage said, so matter of fact.
My spirit clutched. I touched my daughter’s chin. “I’m so happy you had a great time.” I deflected from answering her question by asking one of my own. “Were you two good for Mimi?”
Juni looked at me like I was crazy. “Um, yes, of course, we followed every single of all the rules. We don’t wants to go gettin’ into trouble and have to go to timeout all the way in Antarctica.”
“Gotta get all the A’s for our whole lives,” Gage added.
Wow.
Mimi chuckled. “My, my, those are some goals.”
“Well, my new mommy said it’s good to get the A’s, but the most important is that we always try our hardest, even if we don’t get ’em all every time, and she said we have to have the grace, even if we’re givin’ it to ourselves. She’s a teacher and the smartest in ever, you know.” The tornado of words whipped from his mouth.
“She sounds like a good mommy,” Mimi said as she took out a skillet.
“The best.” He gave a resolute nod.
So cute.
For so long, Juni and I had been alone, just the two of us.
Just the two of us.
Enough.
But still, there had always been something missing.
And now…my chest pressed full.
Hope. Hope. Hope.
How easy it’d be to fall into it.
Then I was jerking when I heard the light tapping at the front door.
Worry jumped into my bloodstream, and I frowned at Mimi who looked over at me in question.
“Wait right here,” I told the kids, and I edged into the living room and peered through the drape again.
My heart leapt into my throat, confusion and excitement and worry as I twisted the lock and opened the door to the gorgeous man waiting on the other side.
“Jud?”
He stood there with a bunch of flowers in his hands.
So big.
So handsome.
So overwhelming I felt the ground shake, that energy lapping through the cool air. Though this morning, it was different. It caressed and soothed and skimmed.
Soft, slow warmth that wrapped me in comfort.
“Hey there, darlin’. Just thought I’d pop by to make sure you made it home safe last night.”
He winked at me.
My belly flipped.
“Uh—”
“Well, look at that.” Mimi’s voice hit from behind.
Jud smiled. Pure charm. “Ma’am.”
I was pretty sure my mimi could see right through him, too, because the man wasn’t exactly polite last night.
My stomach churned again. Desire and greed. I had the urge to throw my arms around him and hold him tight.
Reckless girl. This was only going to hurt all the more in the end.
But I guessed there was no stopping that destruction because Mimi stepped forward. “Well, what are you waitin’ on, my girl? Invite the man in. Coffee is almost ready. He’s right on time.”
There was no missing the glee in her voice.
“Oh, well, I wouldn’t want to impose,” Jud said, far too innocent.
“Nonsense, you sly dog, get in here. Breakfast is on the stove,” she said.
“Well, if you insist.” He stepped into our small house.
Holy shit. What was happening?
Darius was going to lose his mind.
But apparently all pretenses were off when Jud squeezed my hip as he passed.
His head nearly touched the low ceiling.
If he hadn’t looked like a giant before, there was no mistaking it then. The way his big boots moved across the floor, eating up the space as he made his way to Mimi.
Mimi grinned wide, and Jud was taking a bough of flowers wrapped in ribbon and offering them to her. “Thought I’d pick up a little something for you on the way.”
“Oh my,” she said, her hand on her chest and her eyes skating to me.
Sly dog, was right.
He tossed a grin my way.
“Uncle Jud?! What the heck are you doin’ here?” Gage was pure excitement from the kitchen when he caught sight of his uncle.
“Well, comin’ to see some of my favorite people, of course.”
Juni screeched. “It’s the motorcycle man!”
Jud chuckled, and I felt myself moving that way.
Drawn.
He knelt down on a single knee and handed her one of the bouquets, this sweet little one with glittery hearts on sticks surrounded by tiny pink roses.
“Is those for me?” I was pretty sure Juni swooned.
“They sure are, Juni Bee.”
“Sly dog,” Mimi muttered as I came to a stop by her side. “And holy hell, he is a looker. You are done for, girl.”
“Mimi.” I whispered the warning low.
She laughed and turned her gaze on me. Though it’d gone soft and tender and sure. “Dreams, sweet child, dreams. It’s time to reach out and take some of them for yourself.”
TWENTY-SIX
JUD
I wasn’t sure if I was playing dirty or playing for keeps.
The only thing I knew was I’d gotten about halfway back to my place and couldn’t do anything but turn around.
I couldn’t handle the uncertainty that had taken Salem over since the moment she’d stirred in my arms this morning.