68. Ep Val
Ep Val
“Do we have to?” Carol’s lower lip carries a tinge of blue as she stammers, shivering in the shallow part of the spring fed creek.
“Honey, you’re freezing. I can see the bumps all over your arms. Come out and get dried off. Grandma has lunch ready.” I wave my finger to my stubborn daughter who juts her mouth into a pout.
“But, Mom, I’m not cold,” she protests, even as another quake rattles through her little body.
“Wonder where she gets that?” Sawyer grins from under the hood of his truck. He fights the smile and waves his wrench in the best impression of authority I’ve seen in a while. “Listen to your mom. She knows best, remember that.”
When he winks at me it sends a warm thrill through me.
“That’s right. Your daddy knows. Now help your brother get out of the water.
You can swim some more tomorrow.” Shaking my head I pick up a couple of towels and find myself drifting towards my husband who’s folded himself back over the engine.
“Am I closing the bar tonight? Or think you’ll have it fixed?
” My fingers fall into his back pocket to give his ass a squeeze through his jeans.
“Well.” His voice cracks. “I guess it depends on what your alternate plans are?” He stands and drops a fast kiss against my lips, then brushes past me to climb behind the steering wheel.
With a turn of the key, the truck starts right up.
“Mom’s already planning on watching the kids.” I let my tongue run over my teeth and lean into the open window of the door so he can get a clear view down my tank top.
When those blue eyes rivet on the prize, I make my decision. “Maybe you and I go for a drive up to Hilltop? We can hang a closed sign on the entrance…” This time it’s my turn to wink as our little ones come running up.
It’s hard to believe it’s been almost five years since I shut the place down for him the first time.
“I’ll get cleaned up,” he says hoarsely, scooping up little Ryder in one arm and Carol in the other as he strides past.
Our kids screech and giggle with every leap and swoop until he disappears into the house.
He works so hard to keep us comfortable. With the added responsibilities on the ranch and still being there for me at closing every night, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone who could do all of that and still find the patience and love that practically pours out of him.
Something did change in him that night when Cade showed up at the baby shower. I’ve still never asked for the details.
Sawyer isn’t the type to keep secrets. So if he’s choosing not to share, I know not to ask.
But it put a certain set to his shoulders and a clench in his jaw that tells me that whatever it was, it made him appreciate even more what he has.
And what he wants.
His family.