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“As long as you never fall asleepduringsex, we’re good,” Aiden responds with a grin, peeling off all his layers and making me rethink exactly how tired I am.
*
“Mom!” Julia’s voice rings out behind me, saving me the task of trying to find her. “Let me get that, it looks heavy.”
“Not as heavy as it will be,” I call back, admitting to myself that I might have overpacked this bag. “We cleared your chore list for the next four days; even Rachel is sick of you moping around. So, I packed some supplies and you need to go pack some clothes for you and Russ, then head up to stay with him at Lee’s. Elsbeth is saddling her horse, so you don’t have to walk.”
“Really?” She nearly squeals before looking around. “Are you sure? We’re already shorthanded without Russ here.”
“It’ll hardly be a vacation, Julia. But hopefully, it will leave us on better terms with him,” I say as Elsbeth leads Crabapple out of the barn. “Oh, and Dad’s going to ask you to spy on Lee. I’d advise you to take it easy on that.”
Julia’s ever expressive eyes widen in surprise before they flash with humor. Instantly, I burst out, making noises that vaguely sound like the Mission Impossible theme song as my daughter takes the high notes while I stick to the steady beat.
“Shelby!” My dad’s voice silences me while Julia simply starts laughing.
“You little fink!” I tease her, sending her a mock-glare. “Why didn’t you tell me he was coming?”
“I’m going to go pack, love ya!”
Julia throws a wave at us, neglecting to take the backpack I had started for her, but I know she has another one in her room.
“I wanted to talk to her about it, not have her laughing when I approached her,” Dad calmly lectures me. I can tell he’s slightly peeved, but also trying not to smile.
“It was a little funny,” I offer him, happy when he relieves me of the bag and attaches it to the back of the saddle.
“I love the relationship the three of you have, so I’ll never begrudge being the butt of your jokes. Now, get on inside and warm up!” He playfully tries to give me a noogie, but I dodge away from him and take his advice, happy for the warmth of our home.
Within moments, I’m warming my hands around a cup of tea and trying not to scrunch my nose up too much. I keep telling myself that we’ll run out of coffee and to prepare for the worst.
Tea. Tea is the worst, I think to myself, frowning at the contents of the mug. But at least it’s warming up my hands.
Trisha comes up beside me as I’m watching the exchange between my daughter and her grandparents; my father securing the bags while Elsbeth, is undoubtedly, explaining how she wants Crabapple cared for in the coming days.
“When will she be back?” Trisha asks me and I turn to look at her.
“I hope they won’t be needed up there too much longer, but anywhere between four to six days, I’d guess.” I speak slowly, without exaggerating my pronunciation—which I actually caught myself doing a time or two in her first couple of days here.
“Dylan and I are supposed to work on sign language later,” she says next, and I’m happy that Dylan has shown an interest. “If you’re not busy, would you like to join us?”
“Yes,” I answer, pleased at the invite and really starting to warm up to having another woman around my age here.
Chapter 8
Julia
“Damn, Firecracker! You are a sight for sore eyes,” Russ greets me, after I’ve made my way through the fence and up Lee’s driveway.
“More company?” Lee grouses, but there’s a spark in his eye that wasn’t there before. “Well, I suppose you and that horse—put together—will eat less than Sasquatch here.”
“I haven’t had seconds once since I’ve been here,” Russ whispers before his lips crash down on mine. “But I’m hungrier for you.”
My second foot had barely hit the ground, and thankfully, I’m still holding the reins or Crabapple might have bolted.
“This ain’t a love shack, you two!” Lee chuckles, from the porch. “Time for lunch, if you’re hungry.”
“I’ll take care of the horse, you go and warm up,” Russ says, placing a kiss on my forehead. “And from the bags, I’m assuming you’re staying, right?”
“Mom bought me four days up here. Of course, Rachel probably won’t want to work for a month after I get back. Kids, y’know?”
