Page 121 of Smitten with the Single Dad

“Is the Pope Catholic?” Evie replied, which brought forth a booming bark of a laugh from Burke.

“All right then, I guess we’re stopping off at Gabrielle’s to get a few bottles.”

Evie and Vica hugged again and promised to speak tomorrow. It wasn’t safe for Vica to just walk outside willy-nilly, and Burke, Dom, and Wyatt were all on high alert as they escorted Evie and her suitcase to Burke’s SUV.

“What’s for dinner, Dad?” Griffon asked, when Wyatt rejoined them inside.

“Well, Mal Ernie gave me some beautiful yellow zucchini. So I was going to make up some fritters. What else should I make to go with the fritters?”

“Loaded twice-baked potatoes,” Jake said. “Please.”

Griffon’s eyes went wide, and he nodded in agreement. “And sausages.”

That sounded reasonable enough to Wyatt. “Okay.”

“Can we stay and finish the puzzle with Silas?” Griff asked.

Wyatt looked at his watch. It was only four o’clock. “Sure thing, guys. I’ll text Uncle Dom when it’s time to send you hoodlums home.”

“Or call us on the walkie-talkies,” Griff said. “Come in Red Eagle, this is Second Sparrow. Over.” He snickered and returned to his puzzle.

“Okay, I’ll call you on the walkie-talkie.”

“I would like to come back to the house with you,” Vica said, her face a mask of worry as she stood in front of him, her tone almost pleading.

“Of course. You don’t have to ask for my permission. That’s where you live too.”

Her breathing hitched and she frowned for half a second, but she hid it well with a subtle clear of her throat and a nod. “Okay.”

“Let me just make sure the coast is clear,” he said, ducking back out the front door. Even though threats could be lurking anywhere, his Spidey-Sense wasn’t tingling. So it seemed safe enough to walk her next door. He went back into the house and the two of them left Griffon and Jake with Silas and Dom.

They were barely through the front door before Vica collapsed to the floor in a heap of tears at his feet. Wyatt quickly closed the door, scooped her up, and carried her upstairs.

She meekly protested about his sore back and neck, but he ignored her and set her down gently on his bed. She curled up into the fetal position, still sobbing, and all he did was curl himself around her and hold her.

At that moment, he knew there wasn’t anything else he could do for her.

She was emotionally exhausted. She’d held it together all day because she had to, but now that she was where she knew she was safe to be vulnerable, to be herself, she allowed the dam to burst.

He was honored she felt comfortable enough to be vulnerable around him. To breakdown and give in to her emotions.

He wasn’t sure how long they lay there, but eventually, her breathing evened out and when he checked, she was asleep. He gently extracted himself from around her and went to the kitchen to start on dinner. He always loved zucchinifritters, and Jake’s suggestion of loaded twice-baked potatoes was genius. His brain was a million miles away and his back was turned when the front door opened.

“Dad, we’re home!” Griffon announced. “We finished the puzzle. So Uncle Dom sent us home. He said we were stinking up the joint.”

Wyatt chuckled. “Were you boys having a farting contest again?”

“Maybe.” Griffon giggled. “Silas ate a yogurt but forgot to take his dairy pills.”

“Dinner is ten minutes away. Go wash up, but be quiet. Vica is sleeping.”

“No she’s not. She’s right there.”

At the mention of her name, Vica came floating around the corner, her face flush and beautiful from sleep. Her smile to him was small, almost embarrassed.

“Youlikehaving a nap?” Griffon asked her. “I hate naps.”

“Sometimes the brain cannot wait for nighttime to recharge. It needs a little battery boost mid-day.”

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