Page 21 of Defending What is Mine

Chapter Ten

Sam:Then—Last August

Vanessa’s party is a roaring success. For as much as I worried that I’d be too busy to give Jack the attention he deserved, having him here was so simple. So easy. It felt as if he had always been part of our lives. I spent the afternoon aware of him, catching his gaze across the room, the two of us exchanging secret smiles as I doled out cake and ice cream. By the time the kids were gone and the circus had vacated the premises, I was one hundred percent glad that Mollie had pushed me into inviting him. And the best part? I’m pretty sure he feels the same way.

“Please, Mommy?” A wild-eyed, cake-stained face stares up at me, interrupting my thoughts. “Can I? Please, please, please? It was so much fun when we stayed there before.”

I love my cousin. How could I not? She’s literally the sweetest person I know. And her boyfriend, Hank? What can I say, she wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for him and his family. Yep, Mol did alright by herself with that one. But, between the mischievous look in her eye and the way they keep exchanging knowing glances, I’d have to be a fool not to think they’re up to something.

I wrap an arm around my daughter and turn to my cousin. “Are you sure you all want Vanessa to come and stay the night?”

Mollie glances down at Vanessa before exchanging another quick look with Hank. “Of course. We’ll make it into a girl/puppy slumber party.”

Hank shoves his hands into his back pockets and grins. “To be honest, Diesel could really benefit from someone to run and play with. He’s driving me crazy the past couple days.”

“Yeah. And you know how good Nessa is with him. We thought it would be fun.” Mollie’s eyes dart back and forth between Jack and me. “Besides, after all the work it took to pull today off, and all the cleanup you have left,” she says as she gestures around at the tornado-like destruction in the house. “I think you’ve earned the chance to sleep in tomorrow.”

“Hey, maybe Jack can stick around a little while longer?” Hank tries to sound like the idea just hit him, but it’s clear we just got to the point of this little charade. “You know, to help you finish cleaning up.” He turns to his brother. “It’s not like you have any place to be, right?”

Jack shakes his head and rolls his eyes. “Very subtle, you two. Totally smooth. No one noticed a thing.” He turns to me and laughs. “I’m happy to stay and help with anything you need. Clean up, or otherwise.”

Or otherwise? What does that mean?

Satisfied, Mollie smiles. “Good. Then it’s settled. Nessa, let’s go pack a bag, okay?” she asks with a knowing wink.

“We’ll need a toothbrush and a pillow, and probably some toys, because Hank doesn’t have any at his house.” Vanessa continues rattling off her list of not-to-be-forgotten items as she races down the hall to start packing.

“Doesn’t have any toys?” Hank mumbles to himself. “Has she ever bothered to look in the barn?”

* * *

The house feels oddly quiet after all the chaos of the day and everywhere I look, there’s something to clean, but that’s the last thing I’m worried about as Jack stares out the window at Hank’s retreating taillights. “They really skedaddled out of here.”

I laugh, suddenly nervous to find myself alone with this man. He’s strong and handsome and polished. And me? I wear comfy PJs to bed and spend my days playing Barbie with Vanessa. I can’t imagine what I have to offer that someone like him might be interested in.

Rubbing his hands together, Jack scans the room. “Alright, where do we start?”

“I’m thinking the kitchen. I mean, that’s where we keep the alcohol.” I laugh, hoping that I sound easygoing and relaxed instead of completely out of my element. That’s what adults do, right? Offer each other drinks?

Jack gives me a wild look. “After the insanity of today, I don’t know why you aren’t drinking already. How many children were here?”

“Aside from Vanessa? Six.”

“Seven kids?” He shakes his head incredulously. “That can’t be right. How did they manage to do all this?”

“I know, right? And they were well behaved, all things considered.” I stop at the entrance to the kitchen. “So. About that alcohol. Feel like joining me? We’ve got wine. And probably some pre-mixed margarita something or another.”

“Thanks, but I’m good. I like to keep it simple. There’s beer and there’s whiskey.” Jack flips over one hand after the other then lets them drop to his side.

“The only beer in the house is whatever your brother drinks. He brought some over a week or two back.” I’m not sure how I’ll get through this evening without a little liquid courage, but I don’t want to drink alone. Is there some sort of bro code that would keep him from drinking his brother’s stuff?

Thankfully, Jack’s face brightens. “You have Hank’s beer? Like, not just a six-pack purchased for Hank, but beer he himself brought over?”

“Yeah?”

“Now we’re talking.” He gives me a devilish grin. “Just do me a favor. Doesn’t matter if it’s tomorrow or two months from now, make sure when he asks about it—which, I promise you he will—make sure he knows I’m the one who drank it.” He chuckles to himself as he crosses the room to join me in the kitchen.

“Deal,” I say through a laugh. “You Wildes really do have an interesting family dynamic.”

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