Chapter 26
Sandra leaned against the doorframe, watching Terry fold his conference clothes into his overnight bag with military precision.
The sight of him packing stirred an unexpected flutter of anxiety in her chest. Two nights wasn't long, but the thought of him being away while they were still figuring out this relationship made her hope she hadn’t volunteered more than she was ready for.
"Dad, do you have everything?" Emma appeared in the doorway, her long hair pulled back in a neat ponytail.
Terry glanced up from his packing and smiled. "I'm sure, sweetheart. It's only a couple of days."
Toby bounced into the room with his usual energy. "Are you gonna learn some cool new stuff to catch the bad guys? Like secret cop techniques?"
"Hope so." Terry laughed. "I’d hate for it to be boring."
"Boring's like my history class. Mr. Carter makes the Revolutionary War sound like the most unexciting thing ever," Toby said matter-of-factly.
Sandra bit back a smile as Terry lifted a brow. "Well, make sure you study that unexciting history anyway."
He zipped up his bag and slung it over his shoulder. "Come on, let's go say proper goodbyes."
They all trooped to the front door, where Terry set his bag down and opened his arms to Emma first. "Come here, Em."
She stepped into his embrace, suddenly looking much younger than her twelve years. Terry wrapped her in a tight hug, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
"Now, I know you're going to the community pool tomorrow," he said, pulling back to look at her seriously. "And I want you to remember that you're a beautiful girl who's growing up fast."
Emma's cheeks flushed pink. "Dad, that's weird."
"It's not weird, it's true. So when those boys start showing off and trying to get your attention, you just remember what we've talked about."
"What boys?" Emma asked, genuinely confused. "There aren't any boys at the pool who'd notice me."
Terry and Sandra exchanged a look over Emma's head. His daughter truly had no idea how pretty she was.
"Trust me, kiddo, there are boys everywhere. You just haven't noticed them yet."
"They don't pay attention to me," she said, her voice slightly wistful. "I'm still all legs and braces."
"Keep thinking that for about ten more years, okay?"
Emma rolled her eyes but hugged him again. "Fine. I promise to ignore all the supposedly interested boys."
Terry turned to Toby next, ruffling his hair. "And you, buddy. I know you're a good swimmer, but listen to the lifeguards, okay? And to your sister. And especially to Sandra."
Toby nodded solemnly. "I will. Can I still do cannonballs?"
"As long as you're not splashing random people or landing on someone."
"Sweet." Toby threw his arms around Terry's waist. "Bring me back something cool from the conference. Like a badge or something."
"What kind of badge?"
"I dunno. Maybe one that says 'Future Drug Task Force Captain' or something awesome like that."
Terry laughed and kissed the top of Toby's head. "I'll see what I can do."
He straightened and looked at Sandra, his expression shifting to something softer. "Walk me to the car?"
She nodded, her heart doing that fluttering thing again. They stepped outside into the warm morning air.
Terry tossed his bag into the back seat, then turned and leaned against the SUV, pulling her to stand between his legs. Sandra felt the familiar rush of heat as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Yeah, they're watching," Terry said, grinning at her obvious concern about an audience. "But they know we're together, and I'm not hiding it."
Before she could respond, he leaned down and kissed her. It was soft and sweet and clearly restrained yet still sent warmth through her chest. When they pulled apart, she reached up and cupped his jaw, feeling the slight roughness of his morning stubble.
"We'll be fine," she said quietly. "You go learn how to keep the Shore safe."
His eyes darkened slightly. "Be careful while I'm gone."
She rolled her eyes. “I think I can handle everything.”
He kissed her once more, quick and light. "I'll call tonight after the kids are in bed."
"We'll be here."
Sandra stood watching until his taillights disappeared, then turned back toward the house where Emma and Toby were indeed at the front window, grinning at her.
"That was gross," Toby announced, but he was still smiling.
"I thought it was sweet," Emma said with a soft smile and pink cheeks.
Sandra laughed and closed the door. "Let’s get homework completed first, then you won’t have anything to do when your dad gets back on Sunday. And while you’re working, I’ll make lasagna tonight. Tomorrow we hit the pool, maybe the beach afterward."
"Yes!" Toby pumped his fist. "Can we get pizza tomorrow night? The kind with pepperoni and those little meatballs?"
"We can get whatever you want."
Emma tilted her head thoughtfully. "Actually, what if we just do the pool tomorrow and save the beach for Sunday? That way, we can really enjoy both instead of rushing."
Sandra felt a warm surge of affection for the girl's practical thinking. "That sounds perfect. Pool Saturday, beach Sunday."
"And pizza both nights?" Toby asked hopefully.
"Don't push it, buddy." The kids grinned, and they each started on their tasks. By the time they’d worked, eaten, had a movie night, and gone to bed, Sandra felt as though she knew their personalities, quirks, and endearments much better. And had a wonderful time learning.
The following morning, Sandra blinked several times, wondering where she was.
Then as she inhaled, the sheets carried the faint scent of Terry’s cologne, and she remembered exactly where she was.
And she was a little surprised at how much at home she felt.
She heard the kids already stirring and jumped into the shower.
By the time she arrived in the kitchen, she found them rummaging through the cereal cabinet.
"Morning, you two!" she called.
"Sandra!" Toby bounded over, hair sticking up in three directions. "Can we have French toast again? Your grandmother's secret recipe?"
Emma emerged from behind the cabinet door, already in her swimsuit, with shorts over it. "Toby, she doesn't have to cook every meal."
"But I want to," Sandra said, touched by Emma's consideration. "French toast, bacon, and scrambled eggs. We need fuel for pool day."
"Yes!" Toby pumped his fist, then launched into elaborate descriptions of swimming tricks he planned to show her.
She was so engrossed in listening to their plans that the first pieces of French toast burned, and she had to start over. Emma wanted to work on the scrambled eggs, and while they were slightly rubbery, they finally managed to get breakfast cooked, eaten, and the kitchen cleaned.
Once they arrived at the YMCA pool, Toby immediately spotted a classmate. "There's Jimmy! Can I go swim with him?"
"Of course, but remember what your dad said about listening to the lifeguards."
Toby cannonballed into the water with a spectacular splash, earning a whistle and giving a sheepish grin. Sandra found lounge chairs where she could watch both kids, settling in with a book while Emma alternated between swimming laps and floating peacefully.
Around noon, Toby paddled over, dramatically declaring starvation and pleading for hot dogs sold from the food truck in the parking lot.
She agreed, finding the idea of a hot dog, chips, and drink to be the perfect lunch.
With their food in hand, they sat at a picnic table, the kids still damp and pleasantly tired from their morning activities.
"You know," Toby said suddenly, looking at Sandra with serious eyes, "I really like hanging out with you. You're fun, but not trying-too-hard fun, you know?"
Sandra felt something warm expand in her chest. "I like hanging out with you too, buddy."
Emma was quieter during lunch, her gaze darting over to a mother braiding her daughter's wet hair with a wistful expression. Sandra was struck by Emma’s situation.
While she loved her mom, there wasn’t much time devoted to mother-daughter activities.
Emma adored her dad, but there would also be things she wished she could share with a woman.
Tucking that thought away, she tossed the trash as they finished and let the kids back into the pool.
By afternoon, they were all nicely exhausted and sun-warmed. Once home, Sandra gathered their damp suits to rinse out the chlorine, then called both kids over. "Aloe time. I want to put some on your shoulders just in case."
Toby submitted with minimal grumbling. "This smells good. Like vacation."
Emma practically purred as Sandra smoothed gel across her shoulders. "Oh, that feels amazing."
"See? Told you it smelled good," Toby said, then wrinkled his nose. "Wait, does this mean I smell like a girl now?"
"You smell like someone smart enough to take care of their skin," Sandra said firmly. "When you're older, you'll thank me for teaching you about moisturizer."
"If you say so," Toby said doubtfully.
They ordered pizza for dinner, then settled in for another movie night with popcorn. When bedtime came, Toby hugged Sandra good night with unconscious affection.
"I had such a great day," he said, arms tight around her waist. "I can't wait till Dad gets home so we can do everything again, but with all four of us together."
Sandra's throat tightened. "That sounds perfect."
After Toby was settled, Sandra knocked on Emma's door. The girl sat on her bed in pajamas, brushing her hair.
"Need anything before I turn in?"
Emma hesitated, then set down her brush. "Can you sit for a minute?"
Sandra perched on the bed's edge. "What's on your mind?"
"I had a really good day today." Emma spoke slowly, carefully. "And I was thinking about how different this feels from time with my mom. Not bad different. Just... easier, I guess."
Sandra's heart ached for the girl. "That makes sense."