Page 82 of Whatever You Want

The girls were eating s’mores, the sky was lit with stars, and the sound of nature was all around us. This place reminded me of how simple life could be once you unplugged and took a break from technology.

Ava slipped into the chair next to me, wearing a pair of gray sweatpants and my green Eagles hoodie. “I thought the girls would have been worn out by now.” My chest did a slight tilt as she pulled the sleeves to cover her hands to keep them warm. She looked like my sweatshirt brought her comfort. It was the same hoodie I let her borrow when we drove to the state park the night of her birthday. The one she never gave back to me.

I took a sip of my beer and inhaled the smell of burning wood from the campfire. “Hopefully, they’ll sleep good tonight.”

We spent the entire day on the water. I took the girls tubing, and Ava sat on the back of the boat, taking picture after picture. Their squeals were loud every time they bounced in the air and flipped over into waves.

When we got back, they did cannonballs off the dock, not minding the chilly water one bit, while I grilled the chicken and the tiny rainbow trout we caught for dinner. They even begged us to take the kayaks up and down along the shore once we finished eating.

The sunset was beautiful, and the memories were unforgettable. I wanted to hit a pause button and make time stand still.

“Don’t forget, we promised them we would watch a movie tonight.” She set her glass down on the table and climbed into my lap.

I reclined back in the chair and closed my eyes. “I’m not sure I’ll make it through a movie tonight. I’m beat. I’ll probably pass out in the recliner.”

Ava drew small little circles on my chest. “If you pass out in the recliner then I can’t sneak into your room later.”

“Babe, I’m not sure I have the energy to get it up tonight.”

“Are you turning down an opportunity to have sex with me?”

I rubbed my eyes as the smoke from the fire made its way up to us. “Ava, while your ass was resting in a lounge chair, sipping on White Claws, mine was setting up lawn games, hiking in the woods, and chasing after these two little energizer bunnies who have more energy than a nuclear power plant.”

“Oh, my God, you are so dramatic.”

“Tell that to my aching muscles.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Are you slowing down, Detective? I’ve heard once men reach their thirties, they start losing their stamina.”

I pinched her ass. “My stamina is just fine.”

“You need to tell them no sometimes. Stop being such a pushover.”

I pulled her back against his chest. “I love spoiling both of them. I never thought I’d have this. This feeling of peace in the middle of chaos.” She turned her head to meet my eyes. “My life before was hard, it was nothing like it is now. I hear the guys at work complain about their marriage, I used to be that guy. I was miserable, and top that off with all the ugliness I see every day when I’m on the job, it’s not easy, Ava. So, when I get to experience this.” I moved closer and looked over at Madison and Brina, who were giggling over the campfire. “It adds a little light in my dark world.”

A world I had every intention on keeping.

“Thanks for your help with the yardwork,” I said, wiping a bead of sweat off my forehead. We just got back from our trip last night and I wanted to get as many projects done as I could before I went back to work tomorrow.

Logan picked up his water bottle and narrowed his eyes. “Stop thanking me, Ava.”

I watched as he guzzled almost the entire water bottle in one gulp. “Are you sure you still want to cut the grass? We don’t have to get everything done today.”

The man was obsessed with yardwork, something I didn’t understand. He was the only person I knew who did this stuff for fun.

“Yes, I’m sure. Don’t worry, you can float in the pool now that we’re done pulling the weeds and power washing the house.”

“I still don’t understand why the rain can’t just wash away the dirt.” I was reaching for a towel to wipe off the mud on my arm when my cell phone started ringing.

Glancing down at the caller ID, I frowned. My mother’s next-door neighbor, Maria, never called me, especially on a Sunday morning when they were supposed to be at their weekly breakfast.

“Hi, Maria.”

“Ava, I’m so sorry to bother you. Your mom didn’t want me to call,” she paused for a minute before continuing, “but it’s bad and it’s been happening more than you know.”

“What’s been happening?” I asked, even though I already had a pretty good idea.

Logan lifted his head from where he was lacing his sneakers up.

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