In fact, it was about time she just started spending her nights up at my place anyway. If the power outage had taught me anything, I’d rather have her under my roof than anywhere else. From now until forever. I just hoped she was ready for that. For me.
By the time I stopped outside of her little cabin and cut the engine on my cruiser, I saw puffs of white smoke coming from the chimney and the delicious aroma of chili or stew filling the air before I’d even hit the front door.
I pushed the door in softly, the sound of their laughter filling my ears. They sat side by side, sun setting and lighting like golden halos around both of their heads. I stepped deeper into the cabin, not expecting to find it so cozy–nor them so much like a family.
“Hi, Mr. Elliot.” Bobby caught sight of me and twisted around on the couch. “We’re reading books!”
His bright beam about stole my heart.
And then Reese turned, a beautiful smile on her lips and eyes sparkling across the room at me. Hell, if she was pretty before, she looked positively fucking radiant with that little boy at her side and a book between their laps. This woman was made to nurture people. Any kid would be about the luckiest on earth to have her as a mom.
“We made chili too! And cookies for later!”
“Hey, Bobby, how about we get you into the bath now?” Reese helped the little guy from the couch, crossing the room to the small clawfoot tub and turning on the warm water. A moment later, she was helping him in and filling the bath with bubbles before sliding the curtain closed, partially, for privacy, then returning to me in the kitchen.
The little boy began singing softly in the tub, and Reese’s eyes melted. “He’s the sweetest little guy. I’m so worried about him.” Reese rested her head on my shoulder as she spoke.
I wrapped my arms around her waist, holding her close and inhaling the sweet scent of her hair. I wanted to protect them both. Every fiber of my being wished Bobby’s mom would straighten her life out and raise him right. But sadly, I had known her since we were kids in school, and she’d been on the wrong path for a long time. “I’ll do what I can to protect him, and you. Both of you are my only priorities.”
“Elliot, if he goes back there–”
“I won’t let that happen. Social services have been called on her before. The case can definitely be made that his safety is in question.” I worked at her temples softly with my thumbs, willing the stress and worry from her eyes. “I want you to stay with me tonight. You’ll both be more comfortable there.” I paused, brushing a kiss on her lips softly. “I’d like it if you’d move on in forever, Miss. Winters.”
Her cheeks heated and her smile turned up softly. “I don’t want to intrude, Sheriff Shephard.”
I groaned softly, nuzzling into her neck and placing a trail of gentle kisses down her throat. “You bring the sunshine and the rainbows to my life. Don’t make me throw you over my shoulder and kidnap you.”
She chuckled softly, placing a kiss on my uniform-covered pectoral. “You’re such a good man, Elliot, I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”
“You made me smile, you made me laugh, you made me love you. I don’t think you could help it.” I grinned, dotting a kiss on her nose before holding her at arm’s length.
“How about I meet you up at my cabin–correction, our cabin. I’ll make up the guest bedroom for Bobby while you get him washed and dressed.”
“Sounds perfect.” She beamed up at me, pressing on her tiptoes to land one last kiss on my lips before I pushed back through the door to head up to the big cabin.
By the time fifteen minutes had passed, I’d made up the guest bedroom, which was located right across the hallway from the master. We’d be able to check on Bobby through the night, if needed. I’d already taken a quick shower and changed into lounge pants and a plain white t-shirt.
I was coming out of the master bath just as Reese and Bobby were coming down the hallway. The little boy was wrapped up in her duck robe, the belt wrapped three times around his tiny little body as the fuzzy ducks dusted the tips of his feet.
“G’night, Mr. Elliot.” His words were slow with sleep already.
“I guess the bath was relaxing.” I grinned, patting him on the head before opening the door to his new room and showing them both inside. Reese wagged her eyebrows at me when she saw the mountain of pillows piled on his queen bed.