Page 43 of Watercolor Skulls

“Dan.” I wrap my arms around his waist and stare into his handsome face. “You did keep me up most of the night.”

The lines around his eyes soften. “Or was it the other way around?” He wiggles his eyebrows at me.

I lay my head on his chest and watch the kids sift through leaves on the ground. “I love it here,” I whisper.

Jackson bops his head up. “I found something,” he yells.

Billie Rose sticks her nose down where he is pointing, giggling. Whatever it is she must not be scared of it. I’m sure she’s as strong as her mother. Dan and I walk towards them hand in hand and crouch down to see what they found.

It’s a furry little caterpillar. “Good find, Jackson,” I praise. “Let’s get him in the bug catcher.”

We pick up the leaf he is perched on and carefully place it inside. We add part of a branch and some other foliage to make him feel more at home.

Jackson is patient as Billie Rose helps add some of the items. “Good job, Rosie,” he tells her.

Dan grins down at them. The fondness he feels for the two of them is clearly evident on his face. “We should get back. Your mom and dad will want to be getting back to the warehouse.”

“I can’t wait to show them,” Jackson says excitedly.

Dan scoops Billie Rose up. She tucks her face under his chin and my heart literally starts to melt. Drip, drip, drip. Seeing such a big brute of a man with a tiny child in his arms is too much for my ovaries to take.

I take Jackson’s hand and we walk back to the house together. A great end to a great day. If this is what family feels like then I want in. I’m not sure if there is a place for me but if there is I want it more than I’ve ever wanted anything.

Back at the house Jesse, Dirk, Raffe and Rachel are relaxing on the porch, waiting for us. Jackson lets go of my hand and runs ahead to show them his caterpillar. Dan sets Billie Rose down and she rushes to join him.

“The mission was a success,” I tell them.

Raffe ruffles his son’s hair and comes to stand by me. “Thank you for hanging with Jackson today. He really seems to like you. I’m sorry about the painting he broke.”

“Oh, no worries. It was just an old window. I had fun with Jackson today. He’s a great kid.”

Raffe’s eyes drift over my face, he’s studying me carefully. “Jesse said you used to be a teacher?”

“Yeah, I’m used to being around kids Jackson’s age.”

“Maybe you could spend some time with him each week. You seem to be able to keep him interested in things. Rachel and I struggle with that. He is always bored and getting into trouble.” He runs his hand through his blond hair. “I mean we would pay you.”

“Awe, you don’t have to pay me. I would love to spend time with him. Besides, you all have done so much for me.”

“We fixed the floors and did a little painting on a house we own.” He pulls his cigarettes out and lights one up. “Come on let us pay you.”

“No. Absolutely not. You guys have all been so nice and that alone is enough for me.”

“Rachel and I will talk about it and maybe we can meet up next weekend and come up with a time that would work for all of us.”

“That would be wonderful.”

Jackson runs up and wraps his arms around my legs. “Thank you, Lily.”

Crouching down I tip his chin with my finger. “Thankyoufor my painting. I’m going to hang it up tonight so the next time you come over you can see it.”

He jumps excitedly.

“Now, you take good care of your caterpillar. Maybe put some fresh grass in his cage in a few days. Okay?

He nods and pulls the cage up between us. We both look at the furry little caterpillar before locking eyes with each other through the screen. He smiles and so do I.

When I stand up Raffe’s eyes catch on my necklace. He frowns. “We’ll see you next weekend, Lily,” he says, his eyes darting back to the dragonfly around my neck.

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