Page 53 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 3

Jack closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then moved into the bathroom and sat on the toilet near the bathtub. I shifted back and handed him the washcloth. He immediately ran the soft cloth along TJ’s back.

“Mama er i himmelen med pappa,” he croaked.

“Heaven with Dad?” I asked, wanting to be sure he was telling TJ his mother was gone, so I could prepare mentally and emotionally. It would also confirm what faith TJ and Ellen had practiced, so I didn’t step on any toes with my own beliefs. I made a mental note to discuss these things with my family so they didn’t say anything that might confuse TJ. There was plenty of time for TJ to learn the beauty of all faiths and one day choose his own spiritual path.

Jack nodded curtly.

“Mamma med pappa?” TJ frowned.

“Ja,” Jack whispered, pressing a hand to the boys back.

“Jeg vil ha mamma!” TJ suddenly screeched, standing up, tears in his eyes, his cheeks turning ruddy as big fat teardrops fell down them.

“What did he say?” I asked and handed Jack a towel.

He wrapped it around TJ and scooped him up and out of the bath. He held him close as I watched, my heart breaking for the young boy.

“He wants his mother,” Jack shared, his tone gutted.

I leaned over and kissed TJ on the top of the head. “I’m going to give you some time alone with him. I’ve laid out an outfit and a pull-up diaper. Both are on his bed. It seems he’s not fully potty-trained.”

Jack nodded, tears running down his face as he whispered to TJ and kissed him over and over.

I gently left the bathroom, but the second I was out of sight, a broken sob tore from my lungs as I braced myself with one hand to the wall. I’d almost made it to the guest room whena curvy redhead exited Ellen’s bedroom. The woman’s big blue eyes widened, and she dashed over to me with her arms wide open. She pulled me against her ample chest, and I sobbed like a baby into this stranger’s arms, fully convulsing against her as my grief and sorrow took over.

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” she said with a hint of a slight midwestern American accent. “Cry it out. Lord knows you and Jack have had a horrible few days. I’m so sorry we couldn’t get here faster. Jack had the jet in California, and we were in Australia.”

I nodded and sniffed, clinging to her warmth. She smelled of wild berries and sunshine, a beautiful calming concoction that should be bottled up and sold everywhere. I bet Autumn clocks her scent right away and will want to know what she uses to smell so good.

“You must be Savannah,” I rasped, my voice obliterated by the emotions taking over.

She nodded and held me tight for a few minutes as I let it all out. Slowly, the crying subsided, and I lifted my head and wiped at my tears. I was still standing in Jack’s t-shirt and my panties, the shirt dampened from TJ’s shenanigans in the bath and now my tears, when the man I assumed was Erik exited.

“Am I interrupting something?” he asked gently, his Norwegian accent a bit thicker than Jack’s.

I shook my head and pulled at the hem of my shirt, trying to cover the important bits. “Hi, I’m Summer, but you probably already knew that.”

His lips pressed together, and he hooked his arm around Savannah’s waist. “My wife, Savannah. And I’m Erik, but you probably already knew that,” he repeated my words in a sweet tone and winked.

I lifted my hand and waved, then shuffled on my bare feet and pointed to the guest room. “I’m just gonna go get cleanedup, and then yeah, I’d be happy to make you some lunch. We just ate, but I can…”

He shook his head. “We’ll manage,solskinn,” he said, using the same nickname Jack called me.

I opened my mouth and closed it. “You called mesolskinn,” I whispered in surprise.

“Sorry. You just look like the sun to me. Though perhaps right now it’s a bit of a rainy day.” He reached out slowly, as though I were a frightened animal that might scamper away. I didn’t, and he cupped my cheek lightly and wiped away a stray tear.

“Jack calls mesolskinn,” I muttered, and he pressed his lips together and smiled.

“It suits you. We’ll take care of lunch. Go on and get ready for the day. We all have a lot to talk about.”

I nodded and then bolted to the guest room.

* * * *

After I fully showered, I felt more human, more ready to take on the day. I even blow-dried my hair and put on a touch of makeup. Then I pulled on some jeans, fluffy socks, and a tank. I pilfered one of Jack’s fancy cable-knit sweaters and pulled it on. It was huge and exactly what I needed to feel comfy cozy.

What I was not prepared for were the angry male voices speaking rapid-fire Norwegian inside the kitchen.

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