Page 23 of Summer With You

8

Trouble is Coming

Celine

Three Weeks Later

Lake life had been good for everyone. Relationships had been rekindled, memories made, and five worn-out kids every night meant that we, as parents, had succeeded in creating a wonderful summer vacation away from technology with very little money spent.

But all good things must come to end, and our vacation was nearing its time. In just a few days, we would be heading back to normalcy, to our husbands spending every waking moment at work, and our kids driving us up the wall in their boredom.

I wasn’t ready to go home. Honestly, I didn’t think that I would ever be ready.

Not when every morning here, I woke up in my husband’s arms after falling asleep, whispering about our dreams for our children and us. And then, we spent the day falling in love with each other just like we had all those years ago.

The never-ending excitement that radiated from the kids as they spent all their time outside would fade when we left. At night, they would collapse into their beds, completely worn out from fresh air and good, clean fun.

I hadn’t been asked to turn on a tv in weeks.

At night, we watched the sunset from the porch. Amber and I sipped on lemonade as the kids played in the pool, and the men barbecued our dinner. Then, after dinner, we roasted marshmallows every night and told stories around a small fire pit that Ryan and Ace made the first weekend that we were here.

And right then, I was doing something I loved but hadn’t had time in years to do—read a book. Hidden from everyone in the small office, I sat in a plush chair with my feet up and a blanket draped over me. I could see the little ones running around outside, their laughter ringing through the thin windows of the office.

There was a soft knock on the door before Ace entered with a sheepish grin, holding a cup of tea. “Can I interest you in a cup?” He walked the short length of the room, bent down, and kissed the top of my head, waiting for my answer.

“Only if it includes your company.” He took a seat on the rocking chair next to me and then handed me the steaming cup.

“How’s the book, baby?”

“Honestly, I’ve been watching the kids for a while.” I smiled softly. “They are so happy here, Ace.” I took a small sip and smiled—he had made my favorite. The little things he did to make me happy made my heart swell with love for him. “Can we stay another week?”

He sighed and looked out the window at our two kids who were sitting on the hammocks with Maddi, Mason, and Nicky, their cousins.

“I want to say yes, but what about work?” he asked me, and I frowned. “We can’t expect your dad to keep covering my slack. I don’t want to go home, either.” He grabbed my hand and wound his fingers through mine. “I’m enjoying spending all this time with my beautiful wife. I love falling in love with you all over again, Celine.”

“Oh, Ace.” I put the cup down on the table next to me and got up off my chair, the blanket falling to the ground as I climbed on his lap. Framing his bearded face with my hands, I gazed into his eyes. “I love you so much.” Leaning forward, I pressed my lips to his, letting him take the lead as he bit down softly on my bottom lip, seeking entrance.

Curling my fingers into his hair, I let him in, moaning softly. This man knew how to kiss.

Just as I pulled back for a quick breath of air, the office door flung open. “Sorry, lovebirds, but I had an idea!” Amber sank into my seat and watched us with a gleam in her green eyes.

“What is it, Ames? We were kind of in the middle of something.” I twisted around to look at her, my hands moving to Ace’s shoulders as his remained planted on my ass.

“Yeah, well, we all want to kiss our sexy husbands all day long, but some of us have to figure out a way to stay here longer,” she teased.

That caught my attention. “I’m listening.”

“The men can go back for a day or two and then come back so we can spend another week or two here.”

“We can’t make them go back and stay here by ourselves, Amber!” I exclaimed. Jesus, had the woman lost her mind?

“Why not? We can just lounge around the pool or take the kids to the movies one day. There’s a new Disney movie out.”

“That’s unfair to them, and I don’t want to be here without Ace. What if something happens?”

“Please, Celine,” she pleaded, and I frowned at her. “I need more time here. My relationship needs it.” Emotion swelled in Amber’s green eyes, heightening the color of them. “I can’t lose him, and I know I will if we go home right now.”

“Princess, I can make this work.” Ace grabbed my attention by placing his hand gently on my wrist. “Ryan and I can go back tomorrow and come back the following night. We can help your dad out and plan ahead for two more weeks here. I agree with you and Amber—the time here has been good for everyone.”

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