They reached Emily, and maybe Caleb should’ve exercised some self-control, but he shifted Krew to his left arm and wrapped her up tightly with his right. She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head in the crook of his neck.
“Caleb,” she breathed out. “No more patience,” she whispered, glancing up at him as if she could read his thoughts.
Caleb grinned. “Now that’s what I’ve been waiting to hear. And do you know what I need now?” He leaned in closer.
“A good smack on the bottom?” She lifted her eyebrows and leaned back slightly.
“A big kiss on the lips.”
“If I must.” She sighed dramatically, her dark eyes twinkling.
“You must.” He leaned down, she rose up, and their lips met—and just like that, everything was right in his world. He forgot about the stress and misery of missing her and Krew, of being accused of murder, of having to be without her. Nothing mattered but Emily. She was here for him. The months he’d waited seemed like nothing. For her, he’d wait ten times longer.
“Come on, Mama,” Krew protested. “Too much kissing!”
Emily laughed and pulled back. “Sorry, little love, but you’re going to see me kissing Caleb sometimes.”
“Only sometimes?” Caleb teased.
“Later,” she promised.
Caleb chuckled. He could wait. He hefted Krew and said, “What do you think we should be doing, my man?”
“Laxing it up. What else?” The little guy’s brown eyes sparkled.
Caleb grinned. This kid was meant to be his. “What else?” He held Krew in one arm and wrapped the other around Emily’s shoulder. “Well, let’s go, then.”
“Where?” Krew asked.
“To change your clothes. Your mama can’t lax it up in heels.”
Emily leaned into him, and he squeezed her tighter. He wanted to talk so many things through with her and then kiss her and hold her until she needed a break, but right now they were together, and that was enough.