Page 107 of Stolen Kisses

I clear everything out of our new bedroom and study, put all of my tools back into my workshop where they belong, then get to work sanding the new hardwood floors. If I can get this done, then I can put on the first coat of sealer this morning. It should dry in a couple of hours so I can put the second coat on later this afternoon. With ear muffs protecting my hearing, I get lost in the work, ensuring every single square inch is sanded to perfection. Even though the sander I hired has a built-in vacuum, I make sure to go over the area again to remove any dust. I want it pristine for the next step. Preparing the sealer, I get down on my hands and knees to cut in with a wide brush around the edges, thenI grab my lambs’ wool mop to coat the remainder of the floor evenly.

Standing in the doorway, I admire my work. My eyes wander over the room from the ceiling to the floor and everywhere in between. The sense of satisfaction of a job well done is such a high. To know I made this formyfamily fills me with pride. I always feel proud of the work I do. I love seeing my finished work being appreciated by the people who commission it, but it’s always for someone else. It’s not often I work on things for myself and this renovation has been bigger than anything I’ve worked on in a while. I’ve enjoyed every second of it.

Time to head back next door to help with the packing.

* * *

We opted to keep Emma’s couch and get rid of mine. Hers was more comfortable and larger which suited the size of our new family better. Carefully positioning the couch on the rug in the center of the living room, I release a long breath. “Thanks for all of your help today. I couldn’t have gotten through it all this quickly on my own.Em’sgoing to be surprised when she gets home from work to find we’ve moved everything across.” And I mean everything. I only expected to move the larger items of furniture today, but the guys insisted on getting it all done.

“No problem. Happy to help.” Max grabs a couple of cold beers for us. Both of our dads left when we only had a couple of things left to move. He cracks them open and hands one to me, tapping the neck of his bottle against mine before taking a long pull.

“I appreciate the time you’ve taken away from your own work today.” I take a long pull, swallowing down the cool beverage. “What are you working on at the moment?”

“I’m close to finishing my work on the’64 Ford Falcon Sprint.” He sits, stretching out his long legs. “It’s been tricky sourcing parts, so I’ve had to manufacture some of them. I enjoy that side of it, the challenge of making a component from scratch. I would imagine it’s much the same for you in your carpentry work.”

“Yeah. I do like the sense of achievement I get from making something from scratch. Seeing the different components come together to make a whole.”

He sits forward in his chair. Resting his elbows on his thighs, the beer bottle dangling from one hand. “You won’t let my sister and nephews down, will you?” He waves his hand around the room. “This isn’t just a temporary thing until you get tired of playing happy families, right?”

I get where he’s coming from.Em’sbeen hurt in the past.Hell, oneof the guys who hurt her was me. “It’s not temporary for me. I plan on marrying your sister and tying her to me for good. I know she’s too good for me, but I’m not letting her go.Ever.” I hope he realizes how serious I am.

He nods slowly, then takes another pull of his beer. “Good.” Looking at his watch, he finishes his drink, then stands. “I’d better get going. I’m meeting some of the guys for a game of soccer later and Ineedto stop by the workshop first.”

I walk him outas Emma pulls into her driveway with the kids. The first week back after such a long break really took it out of her, she was exhausted every day. Then she spent a lot of time over the weekend packing up her house ready for the move. I’m worried she’s overdoing it.

“Hey, Max. I didn’t know you were coming over today.” Emma walks over to her brother, embracing him as they always do.

“Uncle Max!” Austin calls out as he runs toward his favorite uncle. Well, to be fair, Max is his only uncle. But he really connects with Max, because he loves the work that Max does. Austin’s always telling me that he wants to work with cars when he’s a grown-up, just like his Uncle Max.

“Hey, guys. I stopped bytohelp Theo out with something. I was just leaving. Sorry, I can’t stop any longer, but I need to check something at the workshop and then I’m meeting the guys for a game later.” He picks Austin up, swinging him around in the air, before placing him back on his feet. “Hey, Austin.”

Kenny moves in to wrap her little arms around Max’s legs. She looks up at him with her usual cheeky grin. “Hello, Uncle Max.”

He picks her up, kissing her cheek. “Hey, Ken.” I love howEm’sfamily has welcomed Kenny into the family as though she’s always been part of it.

They all catch up quickly before Max leaves. Emma grabs her school stuff out of the car, throwing the strap of her satchel over her shoulder. She’s not carrying that when I’m around. I step up to her, transfer the strap to my shoulder, then take her files from her before landing a kissonher soft lips. “Hey,Peaches. How’re you feeling?”

Her shoulders slump forward. “Exhausted,” she sighs. “I need a coffee.” Walking toward the house, I let her go.

Lachlan comes running out. “Mommy! Someone’s stolen all of our things. Our house is empty. Everything’s gone!”

“What? What do you mean, everything’s gone?” Emma’s almost yelling in her panic. “Did you notice anyone, Theo?” She looks back at me as she takes all of the porch steps in one leap.

“Uh, nope! But I’ve been busy.” This reminds me of the conversation we had after I repaired those very porch steps. I follow, trying to contain my smirk.

Swinging open the front screen door, Emma storms inside. “Oh my gosh! Everything’s gone!”

“That’s what I said,” Lachlan says in his matter-of-fact way.

She spins around looking at me. “What am Igonnado? You’re sure you didn’t see anything?”

“Why don’t you come home with me and we’ll work out what to do?”

She ignores me as she races upstairs, moving quickly from room to room. “This can’t be possible. Why would someone clean us out of everything? I don’t understand.” She comes back downstairs, stopping in front of me. “I don’t believe you didn’t see anything. This would have taken a significant amount of time to do.” Her eyebrows are drawn down over her chameleon eyes.

I wrap my arm around her shoulders. “Kids, come on. Let’s go home.”

I guide my girl and her boys next door to their new home.

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