Page 4 of Trouble Comes in Threes

I grinned. “That’s right. Those are your teeth. Do they still have an owie?”

His face morphed into an exaggerated frown. “Owie.”

“I’m sorry.” I carried him over to the changing table for a quick diaper change, then carried him downstairs, leaving him in his sleeper. I’d put him in his clothes for daycare after he ate because he hated bibs, and it wasn’t uncommon for his clothing to get covered in his meal.

Joe was already scrambling eggs and making toast when we walked into the kitchen. After I settled Liam in his highchair, I walked over to Joe and gave him a kiss. “God bless you for starting breakfast.”

He shot me a sexy grin. “You can make it up to me tonight.”

I gave him another quick kiss. “That can be arranged, Sheriff Simmons.”

He waggled his eyebrows. “I like it when you call me that. I have some plans in mind…” His voice had turned husky and trailed off.

Even now, in the midst of morning chaos, this man still made me tingle in all the right places. “Promises, promises,” I whispered.

He released a laugh and swatted my bottom. “You go get ready,” he said. “I’ve got this covered.”

“You’re still wearing your pajamas.”

“My first meeting’s at nine, and it won’t take me long to get ready,” he said, scrambling the eggs in a skillet. “We’re good.”

“Before I head up…” I lowered my voice. “We need to talk about something that happened to Ashley at school.”

Turning serious, he glanced over his shoulder. She was standing next to the table, checking Mikey’s backpack to make sure he’d put his homework in his take-home folder. I’d told her a million times she didn’t have to do that, that it was my job, but she still liked to check. Another way she was like Violet.

“Is she okay?” Joe asked.

“Just shaken.”

His worried eyes met mine. “Should I be concerned?”

“No, I don’t think so, but I intend to talk to her teacher. I’ll fill you in tonight.”

He nodded, still frowning, obviously wanting to know more but trusting my judgment.

That trust had been hard earned, and I never wanted to give him cause to doubt me again.

Chapter Two

Weekday mornings were always a circus. I was planning a field workday with my company RBW Landscaping, which meant I didn’t spend much time on my hair and makeup. My day would consist of digging and planting. Although, to be honest, I didn’t spend much time getting ready on office days either. Putting on more than mascara and concealer and curling my hair wasn’t worth the lost fifteen minutes of sleep.

After I threw on a pair of jeans and a light gray RBW T-shirt, I pulled my hair into a ponytail. Since I was meeting Mrs. Pritchard, I considered putting on mascara but decided against it. She could take me as I was.

After I brushed my teeth and swiped on some deodorant, I packed Liam’s diaper bag and headed downstairs with an outfit to change him into.

Joe had already gotten everyone fed and was cleaning up the kitchen.

“You’re the best,” I said, giving him a kiss. “Are you riding with us to the game tonight?”

He took Liam’s clothes from me and handed me a plate of eggs with a piece of toast. I sat at the table and started to shovel food into my mouth.

“We’ll play it by ear. I might have to meet you there.”

Mikey’s face wrinkled with a frown. “Aren’t you coming to my game, Uncle Joe?”

Joe set Liam on his lap and stripped him out of his sleeper. “Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.”

Mikey’s eyes flew wide. “There’s gonna be wild horses at my game?”

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