Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
“Hugs are very nice,” Lincoln answers before he scoops up Lyla in his arms. Leo and Bunny are next, the four of them squeezing each other tightly.
Lyla giggles when he sets them all down again. “No jail for Bunny.”
“Excellent!” Lincoln claps his hands together. “Then I have to announce that we have a visiting princess from a magical land.”
Lyla bows then nudges at her brother to do the same. He obediently follows her, ever dutiful in his loyalty.
“Thank you.” I give them a bow of my own. This is another thing I love about kids. You tell them the world is magical and they believe it because they can see the magic we’ve forgotten.
“What kingdom?” Lyla asks, her eyes shining.
“The Kingdom of Charleston,” I answer, thinking of my home. I didn’t expect to miss it but talking about it has my throat feeling scratchy again. “It has seashells and seagulls and the blue, blue ocean.”
Leo’s eyes are as big as saucers. “Can we go, daddy?”
“Mmm, not today. Afraid we have to go to the magical land of the grocery store for now. Get your shoes on.”
They both groan and I shrug. “Or we could stay here and have an adventure if Dad says it’s OK.”
“You sure?” Lincoln mouths and I give him a slight nod to let him know it’s fine. I mean, this is the reason he hired me. It’s my job to look out for the kids and help with the household now.
“Please?” Lyla and Leo ask in unison.
“Only if you’re both on your best behavior. That means you, Lyla.” He leans down and presses a kiss to her head to soften the words. I don’t know how he does it. He easily walks the line between the playful protector who joins in their games and the stern dad who leads fiercely. Watching him with them definitely makes me feel hot and achy.
He turns to me. “I have a lot of errands, but I’ll check in later.”
Before he goes, Lincoln takes the time to show me all the emergency numbers on the fridge and walks me through how to help Leo use his inhaler.
When he finally leaves, I turn to the kids. The washer has finished that load of clothes and quieted. “Where does your dad keep his tools?”
Lyla leads me to the garage where his toolbox is and together, the three of us take apart the washer. Well, it’s more me taking it apart while the kids watch and hand over various tools.
Growing up, I’d spend hours with my dad. He always wanted me with him during projects, so I’d learn how to do the work myself. I never minded because I loved spending time with him.
I wish more than anything he was still here. He’d love to meet Lyla and Leo. Would he like Lincoln? I shake away the thought. It doesn’t matter. It’s not like he’s anything to me other than my boss.
“Hmm, this screw is really tight,” I say out loud once I’ve loosened it enough with the screwdriver. “I could really use some help.”
“Me, pick me,” Lyla says. She’s always the first to volunteer for a project. I love that about her, and I’d never want to dim her spirit. Still, I suspect Leo wants attention too. He’s been by my side since the moment his father left.
“Actually, I think this could be a job for Leo,” I say passing him the screwdriver. “But we’ll need someone to hold the flashlight so he can see. Will you do that and be the big helper?”
She thinks for a moment then nods. “I can help!”
I pass Leo the screwdriver, showing him how to hold it and twist it. When the screw finally comes free, he gives me a look of such pride. “I did it!”
“Good job!” I high five him before turning to Lyla to give her one as well. “And you helped with the light. Good job!”
After the washer, we play outside, pick up the house, and eat lunch. The entire time I’m making lunch, Lyla bosses me around. She explains exactly how to make Leo’s sandwich just the way Daddy does. She’s her brother’s protector and it makes my heart ache wondering how hard their lives have been that she feels the need to be so strong for him.
Lincoln returns with the groceries but before he can do anything more than bring them in, he gets a call from a local rancher. His bull is loose, and he needs help rounding it up. The call makes me smile. I’m a million miles away from the bustling seaside city of Charleston.
He glances toward the kids who are happily playing with paints at the kitchen table. “It could be long. Would you mind…?”
I shake my head and pass him a sandwich for the road.
“This is what I’m here for,” I remind him. Then for some silly reason, I lean up and press a quick peck to his lips. I don’t know why I do it, other than that it seems right. Natural.