Page 2 of Crossing Lines

Ugh. Boys.

“Both of you park your as—butts on that stool right there. If you even so much as twitch, we’re going to the truck, and I’m gonna get Pawpaw’s spoon. Do you hear me?”

They both went wide-eyed, heads nodding. Daddy had a damn wooden spoon that I swear he’d been whacking kids with since Trevor was a toddler. It smarted. Even as adults, we knew to avoid him if that spoon was out. These two little jerks had been introduced to it once or twice. Pawpaw didn’t mess around. One thump to the backside and they straightened up quickly.

They knew when and how to do shit and get away with it. I blamed Anna. She was too damn easy on them. At least theirother grandpa, Anna’s dad Robert, was just as strict. God help us when they hit the teen years. We might have to lock them in a jail cell for a few months. Or until they grew out of it. Would they ever grow out of it? I didn’t… Shit, we’re screwed.

“Okay, now that the entire store has been subjected to this nonsense, I think we have enough to start with.” Dani Lynn rubbed her temple.

I snorted.Yeah.

“We can come back later now that we know what sizes they’re actually in and not have to do this—” Kristol waved a hand over the kids “—again. I need a drink.”

“How do we do this at cookouts and the lake? They seem to be wilder here,” Shelby said as Kaitlyn took her hand. She had the good kids with her today. The twins were great kids, but they had the energy level of a pair of three-year-olds. It almost rivaled Kris’ twins. Almost.

“I’m just ready to go. Anna can do this next time. You heifers are nuttier than a fruitcake at Christmas for even attempting this.” I caught movement from the corner of my eye. Matthew was trying to pick up his shoe box. He was super excited for Hulk sneakers to wear to preschool, but as usual, Robbie was being a jerk and knocking it from his grip.

I didn’t warn him. I leaned over and popped him on the butt with my open hand. He turned and started to tear up. “Cry, and I’ll give you a reason to. Get your box and march your butt that way. I’m not telling you again.”

I took in a deep breath and rubbed my neck. I hated being the bad guy, really, I did. But damn. I should have said no to today. I’d not been feeling right for a few days, and this stress would make the preacher curse. I really should have stayed in bed this morning. It was late when we got back last night, so the lack of sleep wasn’t helping my mood. Dani Lynn wrapped her armaround me and leaned in. “It sucks being the bad guy, but it’s the only way they’ll learn.”

I gave her a weak smile. “I know. It’s not just that. I’m freaking tired. I’m taking them to the house, and we’re all taking a damn nap.”

“I’d pay for a nap right now, but some of us have to go back to work.”

“Hey!” I growled as Shelby sauntered by. “I just got home from work a few hours ago. Don’t make me kick you in the butt, woman.”

“And y’all say the kids don’t know how to behave.” Dani Lynn was still laughing as we moved to the line.

I scowled. She may have had a point, but I’d not give in and tell her that. Not today.

The scenery from where I sat on top of the fence by the barn was so comforting. I’d driven out here to help Dani Lynn with unpacking and to pick up Carter, but now I was distracted. The boys were off playing with the Landry horde, chasing chickens or petting bunnies. With these kids, anything was possible.

The new fence had drawn me over. I’d been here for a long time, thinking, relaxing, and letting the tension of the morning fade away. I hated to be the bad guy when it came to the kids. They needed discipline, but damn, I felt like an old hag right now.

“Sissy, ready to go?” Carter’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. I turned and hopped down from the fence top. My feet hit the ground, and pain shot up through them. I winced at the feeling of fire ants running along my ass and thighs. Jesus. I did a little hop and jogged in place. I had to get my blood circulating again.

Carter, who had been a few steps ahead of me, stopped. His brows pulled down into a confused scowl.

I snorted. “What? My ass is asleep.”

He shook his head and muttered something I didn’t catch as he walked on to the truck. I grinned as the feeling returned in my lower half. I went over and scooped Matthew up, tickling his sides. “Let’s go to Pawpaw’s. Auntie needs something to eat and a nap.”

When I put him back on his feet, he and Robbie ran for the truck. They liked to climb up on the running boards and into the seats themselves. Even if that meant it took an extra five minutes of waiting, I always let them do it themselves. It wasn’t worth fighting over. You know what the old ones said: ‘Pick your battles.’ They were boys. They liked to climb, so I let them. But honestly, it was good for them. They needed to learn that independence and to do things for themselves when they could.

My stomach growled loudly as I watched them. I was more than ready to go. I’d eat until I was ready to collapse, get into something comfy, and then crash. The nausea was starting to come back, though. It had been a constant worry all day today that I was going to puke. What. The. Hell? I was beyond annoyed at that. I’d blamed all of the fast food I’d had to endure on the last case we’d worked. Whatever it was, I hoped it would pass soon. Daddy had put steaks in a marinade and left them in the fridge this morning. One of those bad boys had my name stamped all over it. I was going to savor it. Every single bite was going to fill my gullet.

“You look constipated making that face.”

I glared at my brother. He was a real shit sometimes. The door slammed behind me, and I started my truck. “Don’t make me leave you on the roadside.”

“You’d never do that.”

“Keep testing me, and I will. You’ll learn some manners one way or another.”

“Nooooooooooooo!” My eyes jerked up to the rearview mirror. Robbie was covering his nose, and Matthew was wearing a face that made my brows pinch. Then the smell hit me. My stomach protested as I fought to get the truck windows down.

“Jesus, what did y’all feed them today?” Carter laughed while pinching his own nose.

---