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“You can add your name to the very short list of people who…” She motioned toward Caleb.
“I’m trying not to react.” He tapped the table, and Caleb looked at him. “How about a session on the swing after breakfast?” Caleb gave him a thumbs-up.
Wilda put a hand on Mathias’ shoulder. “It’s not consistent yet.”
“I’ll take what I can get.”
After a pleasant day and an early dinner, Wilda, Milo, and Caleb walked Mathias to his truck. She hugged him. “Will we see you next weekend?”
“I’ll see how the week goes.” He shook hands with Milo. “I leave them in your care.”
“I’ve got it.”
Caleb held up his arms, and Mathias picked him up. “And you, tough guy, keep being good for your mom.”
Caleb hugged him and whispered, “Love you.”
Mathias kissed him on the cheek. “I love you too, Caleb.” He looked at Wilda. “How do I leave after that?”
“We’ve got lots of room.”
He set Caleb down. “The harder I work, the sooner I’ll be back for good.” He got into the truck. “I’ll call when I get to Boise.”
“Drive safe.”
He drove away, and Wilda leaned against Milo when he put his arm around her. “He’ll be back before you know it.”
“Thank you for making him feel welcome.”
“Of course.”
Caleb started crying, and Wilda picked him up. “It’s okay, honey. We’ll see Uncle Mathias real soon.”
“I miss him.”
“I miss him, too.”
Caleb held his arms out to Milo.
Milo took him and headed for the house. “What would you like to do until bath time?”
“Swing?”
“Let’s go swing.”
Chapter thirty
“That’s what I get paid the big bucks for.”
On Monday morning, Caleb was grumpy and moving slowly. Milo was in the kitchen, waiting for him, when an exasperated Wilda came in. Caleb trailed behind her, trying to put on his backpack.
“Let me help you, honey.”
Caleb scowled. “I want Daddy to help me.”
Milo stopped breathing as Caleb walked over and turned his back to him. He looked at Wilda as he straightened Caleb’s backpack. “There you go, buddy.”
Caleb went out the back door, and Milo turned to Wilda. “I in no way suggested that or encouraged it.”
