Calder
I cameup behind Hadley at the sink, wrapping my arms around her and kissing her neck. “How are you feeling?”
A hint of a blush filled her cheeks. “A little sore but good.”
I grinned against her neck. “What does it say about me that I’m glad you’ll remember me all day long?”
“That you’re a barbaric caveman.”
I chuckled and kissed her again. “I’ve been called worse.” I released her and took the bowl she’d been rinsing, placing it in the dishwasher. “Plans for this morning?”
So far, since Hadley had been avoiding posting videos on her channel, there had been no other emails, text messages, or phone calls. That didn’t mean I loved the idea of her being alone right now.
“After I walk the girls to school, I thought I’d go get a coffee. I’m hoping Calla is working so we can talk.”
I closed the dishwasher and leaned a hip against the counter. “I really am sorry I said something that hurt her.”
Hadley pressed a lip to the corner of my mouth. “I know. I think I can soothe over the worst of the hurt, but Toby has some serious apologizing to do, too. He needs to get his head out of his ass because she’s a great girl. If she dumped him, I wouldn’t blame her.”
From what I’d seen, that was exactly what Calla should do, but I held my tongue on that. “Let me know if you think I should stop by and apologize. I’d be happy to.” But there wouldn’t be a word of apology to Toby.
“I don’t think that’s the best idea.”
“Probably not.”
Hadley dried her hands on a towel. “What time is your meeting with Cap?”
“Fifteen minutes. I’d better hit the road.” I let out a whistle. “I’m heading out, girls.”
Footsteps thundered before two small forms hit me with a force that had me rocking back on my heels. “Can we have pizza tonight, Dad?” Birdie asked.
Sage burrowed deeper into my side. “Pizza would be good.”
I chuckled and looked up at Hadley. “What do you say to pizza?”
“Do I look dumb to you? I say yes.”
Birdie let out a little whoop and then proceeded to do a sort of shimmy-shaking dance all over the kitchen. Hadley grabbed her hands and danced in circles with her.
Sage curved a finger through my belt loop. “They’re kinda nutty.”
“But we love them that way.”
She grinned. “Life would be pretty boring if they were normal.”
Truer words had never been spoken. I pressed a kiss to the top of Sage’s head. “Don’t let them be late walking to school.”
“I won’t.”
“Bye, guys,” I called as I headed for the front door.
I made the drive to the station in my typical three minutes. Soon, that three would stretch to ten if I made the drive later in the day. Tourist traffic would clog the streets and have locals cursing.
I pulled into an empty parking spot and climbed out of my SUV. The birds sang overhead as I moved to the front door. Pulling it open, I called out greetings to the guys scattered around the living room and kitchen. Shift change wasn’t for another hour, but they were ready to head home and get some decent sleep.
I made my way down the hallway. As I turned a corner, I almost ran smack-dab into someone. “Sorry about that.” I took a half-step back as I recognized the man we’d saved from the accident at the ravine. “Evan, right?”
The man nodded, extending a hand. “Good to see you again, Calder.”