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“Mason, come help your father unpack the car!” I hollered into the house just as I saw Ace drive past and pull into the driveway of their neighboring house. “Hey, neighbor! Long time, no see!” I waved at Celine who laughed. It hadn’t even been a day since I saw her last. She had always been more than a best friend, especially since I couldn’t see my blood-related sisters as often as I’d like. She had filled a gaping hole since I left home all those years ago.
“Dinner at my place in a few hours. I’ll send over a smoke signal when I’m ready.” She held a squirming puppy identical to Tucker in her arms. “Bring Tuck with you. I’m sure his sister Roxie would like to play.”
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson had gotten both of us a puppy – a brother and a sister from the same litter, both black labs that were adorable but a pain in the ass that I didn’t ask for.
“See you later, Cece.” I headed into the house, my gaze immediately landing on the giant, white Christmas tree. A pang of sadness echoed in my heart. Christmas was already over, and it had taken so long to get here. Then, it was completely surrounded by so much negativity.
Next, I saw the lounge where we had last sat and tried to discuss a game plan that had been a wasted attempt. Rick Wilson had his mindset, and he was letting this company go whether we liked it or not. There was no changing his mind, and honestly, I felt like it was kind of selfish. He wasn’t even giving his children a fighting chance.
Ryan rested his hand on my hip, and his lips brushed the back of my neck. I quickly glanced around for our children. “Don’t worry, Spitfire. We’re alone.”
I sagged into his embrace, feeling his sadness wash over me. Together, in silence, we mourned the loss of everything that could have been.
* * *
“Momma, I swear, there isn’t any poop in his butt,” Nicky huffed, pacing the big yard, dragging poor little Tucker along with him by the red leash he had come with.
I stifled the chuckle ready to burst out of my lips. “Keep trying, baby. I’m sure there’s something in his little belly.” He threw his head back and heaved a dramatic sigh into the chilly, night air.
“We’re gonna be late for dinner all because of Tucker,” he whined, glaring at the playful puppy.
“Don’t worry. I’ll save some food for you,” Mason commented as he ran over to Celine’s house, not seeing the rage that crossed his younger brother’s face.
“Momma!” Nicky stomped his foot and looked at me with big, tearful eyes. “I don’t want to miss dinner!” I walked over to him and took Tucker’s leash and Nicky’s hand.
“Come. Let’s walk him together, sweet boy. Then, we can both be late for dinner.”
Eventually, Tucker found just the right patch of grass. His little body scrunched up, and he pooped, much to Nicky’s glee who jumped around in excitement, confusing the poor pup. He wasn’t so excited about picking up the poop a minute later, and he complained the whole way to Celine’s house, but I only smiled. Ryan had been right. As much as I hated to admit it, every kid needed a dog, and little Tucker would be good for our family.
The next day, the kids all swam around the pool while I read a book and watched Ryan throw the big ones across the pool, all while still managing to throw a ball back and forth with the youngest twins. He didn’t tire out or complain. There was a large smile on his sexy lips, and his eyes shone with happiness.
Something about this lake house made all the bad things disappear. For that reason, I never wanted to leave.
“Momma come in. It’s so nice and warm. Daddy put the heater on. It’s like a hot tub.” Maddi leaned on the side of the pool, her red hair dark against her porcelain skin that was spotted with freckles. Her blue eyes were so bright with happiness that they made my heart sing.
“Come in, babe. It’s nice and hot.” Ryan shot his attention to me. Butterflies circled around in my stomach at the soft endearment.
“Ew! Don’t call my momma babe. That’s not her name.” Jeremy tackled his dad, wrapping his arms around his head like a wannabe wrestler, giggles shaking his small body.
“Yeah, honey. Don’t call me babe,” I teased, putting my book down so I could take off my long sleeve shirt. I fought the shiver that trailed over my exposed skin from the light breeze. Ryan’s eyes traced my body like it was the first time he was looking at me - not like he’s the father of our five kids and had seen this battered body countless times.
I blushed, my freckled skin warming under his hot gaze. “Come here, Spitfire.” He reached for me, wading through the water to meet me at the steps to the pool. I dip my toes in, shocked at just how warm the water was, and quickly walked in, sliding into his embrace. I cupped his face as the kids swam around us, splashing and laughing. He brushed his nose against mine, and the smile that broke across my lips could split my face in two. “I love you.” His lips were a breath away from mine. My heart skipped a beat, and my stomach quivered at the feel of his toned body wrapped around mine.
“I love you more.”
“Momma, look at this new trick I learned!”
“Look here! I’m a mermaid!”
“I can do a flip in the water, Momma.”
“No! Look here! I can hold my breath for a whole thirty seconds.”
The kids are all shouting at once, trying to capture my attention, but my gaze remained fixated on Ryan’s, seeing a lightness in his eyes that I hadn’t seen in years.
“I want to be this happy for the rest of my life,” he finally whispered just as one of the kids jumped onto his back, almost knocking him off his feet. “I want to see that smile on your face every day.”
I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. Now wasn’t the time to cry. This was a beautiful, happy moment to share with my husband and kids.
