She, the Kingdom (She #1)(68)

I wondered how we could put rumors to rest in just a couple of weeks, but Max had shown me over and over again that he was capable of anything. With that thought, I remembered I was in the middle of replying to Max when the kids had arrived.

Kids are here. They are thrilled with the rooms. The bounce castle was a little much, but they love it.

I wasn’t sure if you’d have time to text me back. Good to hear from you.

Sorry. Got sidetracked. That’s going to happen. A lot.

All I need are smiles.

Smiles galore. You’re amazing.

What are today’s plans?

He wrote.

I already missed him. The only thing that made me feel better about that was that he seemed to miss me, too.

Doing a little shopping today. The kids woke up early for the drive. I bet they’ll be out by ten.

Is that an invitation?

:) was the only thing I could send and still retain my dignity.

Text me when they’ve been asleep for twenty minutes, no matter what time.

I let the kids exhaust themselves in the castle, and then talked them into washing up and taking a break for lunch and shopping. Josh wanted to stay home, but I promised him another Xbox game, and he was content to come along.

Hannah bounced her feet that were hanging from her car seat. Nick had just bought her new shoes, but the threads were already breaking loose from the seam and sticking out. I was looking forward to taking them to real stores with quality clothes that didn’t fall apart after the first wash.

We drove to Wichita, and I smiled when I passed the restaurant I’d eaten at with Max the night before. Already, that seemed like another lifetime ago. We parked at the mall, and I held Hannah’s hand as she skipped next to me. Josh was texting and walking, somehow not walking face-first into anything, although I had to guide him a few times.

We stopped at the food court first, and then we made quick runs into several stores. My debit card got a workout, but not once was it declined.

“Mommy! Can I have this?” Hannah asked, holding up a floral shirt with a puppy on it.

“Hannah,” Josh scolded.

She lowered the shirt.

“What?” I asked.

“You’ve spent a lot of money today already, Mom,” Josh said.

I raked back his bangs with my fingers. “I have plenty. Things are a lot different now. Haven’t you seen our house?”

“Exactly. I don’t want you to spend all of your new money on us.”

I kissed his cheek. He glanced around to see who was watching, but he didn’t wipe it away. “I have this money for you, and I’ve already paid all the bills, so I know exactly how much I have to spend on you, and we’re not even close. Don’t worry. I have it covered. Promise.”

“You paid all the bills?” Hannah asked, her eyes wide.

“All of them! You even have a savings account! Both of you!”

Hannah hugged me, and then peeked up. “Can we go see Papa and Grammy?”

I kissed my finger, and then pressed it against her forehead. “Absolutely. Right after we get Josh a haircut.”

Hannah cheered, Josh groaned. “Good thing I just bought three new hats,” he grumbled.





Chapter Nineteen

I creeped across the living room, feeling like a teenager trying to sneak out. The bolt lock clicked when it twisted, and the door seemed to scream as I turned the knob and pulled.

“Hi,” I whispered.

Max yanked me toward him, onto the porch, planting a kiss on my mouth. My lips parted, and his tongue slipped inside, searching every inch, kissing me like it was his first breath of air all day. “My God,” he said quietly. “I’ve missed you.”

“Tired?” I asked, touching his face. Even in the dim moonlight, I could see his eyes were beginning to droop.

He nodded. “I passed a familiar pickup truck on the way here.”

“Who?” I asked.

“Colton.”

“Colton was driving down my street?”

“I can’t blame him. I just saw you this morning, and it took everything I had to wait until now.”

I frowned. I didn’t like Colton driving by so late, especially now that my children were home.

“It’s okay. He’s just a kid.”

I nodded, kissing the corner of his mouth. “The kids have been down for half an hour.” I led him in by the hand, and he paused just long enough to lock the door behind him. He didn’t speak until I closed my bedroom door, and then he began taking off his shoes like he was just coming home from a day of work.

I tightened my robe around me, watching his shorts fall to the floor, at the same time reaching back to pull his shirt over his head. All six of his ab muscles were defined and seeming to roll under his skin, his pecs tensing and relaxing with each movement.

“What?” he asked.

I swallowed and shook my head. “Nothing. I’m glad you decided to come over.”

“Decided?” he said, walking over to me. He wrapped me in his arms and proceeded to make a dead-fall to my bed. I tried not to squeal as we toppled over. We bounced against the mattress, and he chuckled quietly. “I would have begged if you hadn’t mentioned it. How was your day with the children?”

“We shopped. Went over to my parents for a few hours. They asked if the talk about Sophie and you was true.”