Page 35 of Crossing Lines

“Two ounces. He needs to burp, and I’ll see if he’ll take the rest.”

“He will. He’s a greedy little man.” She sat on the couch beside him, watching them both. “You like him, huh?”

“Of course I do, he’s a baby.” He looked at her as if she were nuts.

I snorted and flopped down in the chair. I was so tired and sore. Was this what old age felt like?

“I mean, you like having him here, with all of us?” she questioned him.

“Yeah. He’s a cool baby. He eats, sleeps, and poops. But he’s not fussy like some babies are.”

“He is a good baby. How would you feel about me and Trace adopting him, if no family is found? Which I don’t see happening. I want to give him a good home and a happy life.”

“I think it’s a great idea. I mean, everyone needs a family.” Carter shrugged.

“And we’re all attached to him already. Your dad comes in and steals him a lot.” I chuckled. “It would hurt to give him back.”

“That’s saying something.” Stel frowned, pulling her legs up in front of her, wrapping her arms around them.

“Sissy, don’t worry so much. You’ll get wrinkles.”

I was halfway to standing; I had intended to move to the couch beside them, but laughing made me lose my balance. I pitched forward but managed to turn so I hit the floor on my ass and then laughed harder.

“Trace!” Stel moved to the floor beside me. “You big dummy.”

“No frowning, you’ll get wrinkles.” I laughed harder still. She swatted my chest, and I pulled her to me, tickling her sides. She jerked, trying to get free of my grip. I sat up, using my abdomen so I didn’t have to let go of her. She was now laughing and calling for help. Help came all right. In the form of a hundred and fifty pounds of drool and muscle. Diesel clobbered us both. We howled in pain and laughter. It was the craziest thing. AJ whistled and he sat, woofing loudly. I held onto my girl, meeting her gaze as I spoke to my sister.

“Hey, beanpole, didn’t know you were coming over.” Stel relaxed against me and shifted so her back was against my chest, her ass in a very delicate place. It was doing things to me thatwere not appropriate for mixed company. I gave her a squeeze, and she stilled.

“I came to see you since I was in town. I brought a junker down for the firehouse to use as a burn car.”

“Cool. Always glad to see you.” She moved to the couch where Carter sat and without asking, took the baby from him. I shook my head. She was always demanding like that.

“You know, I’m sure that youngin’ would like to eat breakfast in peace.” Wayne came in, wiping his hands on a towel.

Stella snorted. “If he’s gonna be a member of this family, he best get used to racket. Plus, the bottle looks almost empty. He’s done.”

Wayne nodded, a grin pulling up the corners of his mouth. “Why don’t y’all get off the floor and wash up. Breakfast is almost ready. AJ, can you join us?”

“Oh, I’d love to, but I can’t. The boss,” she said as she rolled her eyes, “is at the shop, and if I leave him long, he gets all pissy.” Wayne looked around her, confused.

“I thought you were the boss?” He watched her.

“She means Chip is there. We use her office as much as we use the desk at the station or the bar.” I chuckled. “Those two butt heads more than two rams on a cliffside. It’s entertaining, though.”

“Your friend is a jerk and bossy.”

I could see the joy in her eyes as she spoke. They were an item, dating, seeing how their lives could be more than a friendship.

“Girl, the making up is worth the fights.” Stel laughed.

AJ’s face bloomed in a shade of red that had me shaking my head. “Nope, that kind of talk is not allowed.”

“I should make you both find your own offices. He’s always moving stuff around on my desk. Makes me mental, and he enjoys it. Ugh.”

“Well, you were already mental, so that wasn’t a far jog.” I grinned.

“You best be glad I have this baby in my arms right now.”

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