Chapter Four #2
I reintroduce my mom and Bellamy to the kids, and for the next couple hours, the five of us take turns choosing what to play. We build a LEGO house, play Barbies and dress them up in various outfits, start a puzzle, and play a few of the board games. By lunchtime, the floor’s a complete disaster.
But I don’t mind one bit.
When the kids get hungry, I make corndogs and French fries. After they eat, I tuck Lily in for her afternoon nap. She doesn’t let me leave until I read her three stories. Finally, her eyes close.
“You’re good with them,” Mom says when I find her in the kitchen loading the dishwasher.
I grab my water and chug half of it down.”They’re easy kids.”
“Or you’re just a natural.”
Shrugging, I put my bottle back in the fridge. “I told Sam I’d take him fishin’ in the canoe tomorrow, so we’re gonna be up early to get a headstart. I’m a bit nervous ’bout it though.”
“As long as you don’t lose him and he has fun, consider it a win.” Mom grins warmly. “And if you catch a good amount, bring some over to me.”
I chuckle at her casual tone. “Sure thing, Ma.”
Even if we only catch one, I’m looking forward to showing him how to gut and cook it.
“Colt?”
Turning toward the voice, I find Gabby with all her supplies.
“How’d it go?” I ask. “She doin’ okay?”
“She’s takin’ a hot shower to wash off the rest of the seaweed and should be out shortly. Make sure she drinks plenty of water for the next twenty-four hours.”
“Will do.” Grabbing my wallet, I pull out five hundred-dollar bills for her tip. “Thank you again for comin’ on short notice.”
“It was my pleasure,” she says wholeheartedly, pocketing the money. “She’s very sweet. Quiet, but nice.”
My mom walks her to the door, and I check on Bellamy and Sam on the couch.
“Is my mommy comin’ back soon?”
“I’m gonna check on her and find out.”
I turn to Bellamy and lower my voice. “You okay with him for a few minutes?”
She glances down at the coloring books and crayons spread across the coffee table. “I think we’ll manage.”
“Smart-ass,” I mumble.
Before going to my room, I fill a tumbler with ice water, then knock on the door.
“Amelia?” I call out, opening the door an inch. “Can I come in?”
“In here,” she says from the en suite.
Stepping in, I close the door behind me, then tap my knuckles on the bathroom door. “Gabby said you should drink some water, so I brought you some. I’ll leave it on the—”
The door whips open, and she greets me in only a robe.
“Hi,” she says faintly, a bright smile spreading across her face.
“Uh, hi.” I blink, forcing my gaze above her neck. “How’d it go?”
“Oh my God.” She shakes her head, chuckling softly. “Probably the best four hours of my entire life. I’ve never experienced anythin’ like that before. Pretty sure my body floated above the clouds for most of it.”
My grin stretches from ear to ear, heart fluttering wildly at how relaxed she is. “Good, you needed it.”
“Thank you for bookin’ all of that for me. I can’t even imagine how much that cost and didn’t deserve it after the way I acted this mornin’, but I appreciate it. And although it’s no excuse, the stress of everythin’ and not sleepin’ well caught up to me, so I apologize for snappin’ at you.”
I lick my lips, holding back the words I’m desperate to say, and tilt her chin so she sees the sincerity in my eyes. “Never apologize for wantin’ to protect your kids, ’cause I get it. Hopefully, I can earn your trust and prove I have no ulterior motive to helpin’ or keepin’ y’all safe.”
Her gaze drops to my mouth. “Colt, I—”
“Mom!”
Her soft voice gets cut off by Sam’s eager squeal and barrels between us, his little arms wrapping around her.
“Hi, baby. Did you have fun with Colt?”
“Yeah! Grammy Lindsey and Aunt Bellamy, too!”
Amelia looks up at me, her brow etched in curiosity.
I chuckle, shrugging. “I called in some help to keep ’em occupied since I knew you’d be gone longer than an hour.”
“Oh, thank goodness. I was lowkey worried they had somehow tied you to a chair and taken over the house.”
It’s not until she bursts out laughing that I shake my head at her teasing.
“Mom!” Sam giggles, then announces our news, “We’re gonna fish in the canoe tomorrow!”
“Only if your mom’s still okay with it,” I remind him.
“You’re sure it’ll be safe for him?” she asks.
“Absolutely. I won’t take my eyes off him. Brodie’s gonna join us, too.”
“When would y’all gotta leave in the mornin’?”
“Six or so.”
“I guess that means early to bed for you, mister.” She boops Sam’s nose. “And you know the rules ’bout listenin’ and being on your best behavior?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Sam groans, throwing his head back. “I know.”
Amelia grins up at me. “Guess that means Lily and I will be on our own for a bit.”
“I can have Bellamy stop in, if that’d make you more comfortable.”
She chews her bottom lip, looking between Sam and me. “Maybe, yeah.”
“Remy will protect you, Mom,” Sam reassures her.
Said fierce gremlin arrives at the sound of hearing his name and sits next to Sam. He giggles, kneeling and wrapping his arms around Remy’s neck. “See?”
“I think you’re right.” Amelia smiles wider, crossing her arms.
The movement has me lowering my eyes to her chest before I catch myself and look away.
But not before she catches me doing it.
“Let’s go so your Mom can get dressed.” I lead Sam and Remy toward the door before turning back around. “Oh, don’t forget your water. It helps flush out the toxins.”
“Got it.”
“If you’re hungry, I’d be happy to make you somethin’ when you come out.”
“Why don’t you let me cook tonight? As a thank you…” Her bright green eyes hypnotize mine, making it impossible to argue.
“Sure, as long as you don’t poison me.”
She chuckles. “If it were that easy, I’d be livin’ in a different tax bracket right now.”
“Hey, never say never,” I quip before exiting the room and closing the door.
“Colton.” Sam’s gentle voice grabs my attention. “What’s poison?”
Ah, shit.
“Um…it’s somethin’ that when ingested can make you very sick.”
“Mom wouldn’t do that to you,” he argues.
“I was only teasin’ her, buddy.”
“Oh, okay.” He shrugs, then skips ahead of me before adding, “’Cause she told Auntie Raven that when you two had a sleepover at Uncle Wilder’s wedding, it was all she thought about for months. I asked her why I wasn’t invited, and she said it was for adults only.”
My throat makes a choking sound, causing me to struggle to breathe for at least five seconds.
“Are you alright?” He spins around, studying me.
“Mm-hmm, I’m good. Just need a drink.”
He follows me into the kitchen, where my mother and Bellamy sit at the breakfast bar, one scrolling on their phone and the other flipping through a magazine.
“Everythin’ okay?” Mom asks.
“Oh yeah…” I take a sip of water, the liquid cooling me from the inside out. “Perfect, actually.”