Page 36 of Stolen Kisses

“Sounds perfect,” I say as I wink.

After we’ve finished, we head into the main part of the mall. There are a few little boutique stores in this particular mall where I think we’ll be able to find a pretty party dress for Kenny’s dance. Sarah and I walk on either side of Kenny, as she swings our hands back and forth. I’m not sure how long it’s been since Kenny’s been shopping with a woman, but she’s so excited, she’s almost vibrating.

Sarah shows Kenny a dress with layers and frills. “What about this one?” I’m not sure what she’s thinking, it looks a little much to me.

Kenny screws up herbuttonnose. “I don’t like thefwillsor how big it is.”

Our first stop doesn’t yield any results which isn’t surprising; the dresses are a little over the top. I can’t believe parents would allow their young daughters to wear some of the outfits for sale. They seem more suited to a Vegas club than a party for young girls.

The second store is the winner; the dresses here appear to be more age-appropriate. After admiring and trying on a couple of party dresses, Kenny falls in love with a gorgeous floor-length party dress that has a sweet fitted halter top in white.

We step out of the change room, her wearing a gigantic smile. “I love thisdwessso much. It’s sopwetty,”

She holds out the blue tulle gathered skirt which falls to the floor, spinning around. The layers give it fullness, but not so much that it lookspoofy.

“It’s adorable, Kenny. You look gorgeous in it.” Sarah swoons.

Kenny’s such a cutie-pie and this dress suits her down to the ground. We pair it with some silver ballet flats to enhance the silver glitter scattered through the tulle layers.

Sarah and I are possibly a little over the top with our fussing, but we’re both heartbroken over the fact that she’s motherless at such a young age. We’re also loving the opportunity to do girly stuff with zero boys around. I love being a mom of boys. Even though they’re young, they’re quite protective of me and they do give the best cuddles. When Austin runs his little hands over my hair and tells me I’m pretty, my heart melts. And when Lachlan manages to look me in the eye as he tells me he loves me, well that sends me into a puddle of goo. But, beingable to fussover a little girl and dress her up has been so much fun today.

Pulling into my driveway, I’m stunned at what greets us. Sarah’s peering out of the windscreen with appreciation of the stunning view. My front porch has had a complete makeover. The railings have been repainted, something that I’ve wanted to do for some time, and sweet hanging baskets full of colorful flowers have been hung from the frieze beam. It totally transforms the front of my house. However, that’s not what Sarah’s admiring; no, she’s admiring myhandsomeneighbor’s bare torso as he works to attach a chain to a hook in the ceiling. His muscles tense and shift with his movements as he reaches up.

“My, my, my … what a welcome home!” With wide eyes she looks across to me, wiggling her eyebrows up and down. I remind her with my own widened eyes along with a tilt of my head toward the back seat,that she needs to watch what she’s about to say in present company.

“Yay! Uncle Theo. I can’t wait to show him my new dress and shoes.” She’s bouncing up and down in her car seat.

Sarah turns around in her seat to face Kenny. “You should keep it as a surprise. Don’t show him until the dance. It’ll be so much fun to surprise him. I’ll even come over and help you get ready at Emma’s house.”

Kenny’s eyes widen as a grin forms. “Oh yeah, let’s do that. Is that okay, Emma? Can we do that? Can wesurpwiseUncle Theo?”

“Absolutely, we can do that. It’ll be fun.” Kenny cheers as we exit the car to make our way toward the boys.

Austin comes running down the steps. “Do you like it, Mommy?” He takes my hand, dragging me the rest of the way. My eyes scan the entire area, not knowing what to look at first. There are two stunning rocking chairs, a table between them, and a porch swing ready to be installed.

“You guys did all this while we were out?” I can’t believe how much they got done.

“Yeah. Well, not all of it. Theo made the chairs before, and we helped sand and wax them the other day.” Lachlan looks up at me as I breach the top step. “Do you like it, Mommy?” My heart freezes in my chest at the look of pride on my eldest son’s face.

“I love it. I can’t believe you guys did all of this. You’ve been so busy.” I look at each of my boys and Theo. “Thank you so much. It’s beautiful.” My hand comes up, pressing into my chest in an attempt to stop my heart from escaping.

Kenny comes running up the steps. “Uncle Theo, you should see mypwettydress.” She leaps at him with all the trust of a child who knows the man will catch her no matter what.

“I can’t wait to see it. I bet you look like a princess.” He laughs, nudging her nose with his.

“Nuh-uh! It’sgonnabe asurpwise!” Theo looks across at Sarah and me with raised brows.

I tuck my loose hair behind my ear, then shove my hands in my back pockets to stop from fidgeting under Theo’s scrutinizing gaze. “We, uh, we thought maybe Sarah and I could get Kenny ready for the dance and you can come over and pick her up from my place.”

His features soften while a gentle smile touches his lips. I watch his Adam’s apple move up and down on a hard swallow. This guy is incredibly masculine and yet he’s so gentle with his niece that I fear for the safety of my ovaries. “That’d be great. Thank you, ladies.” He finishes with a tip of his head.

“C’mon, Mommy. We want to show you everything we did.” The boys show me the work they’ve done and I’m drawn into their excitement as they point out, in detail, everything they’ve done.

* * *

After racing home from school, I quickly give the boys their afternoon snack before jumping in the shower to wash my hair and get ready for the Daddy-Daughter dance that I’ll be attending tonight. When I signed on to help out as wait staff for the dinner, I had no idea my handsome neighbor would be attending with his adorable niece. Sarah’s due any minute to stay with the boys for me tonight, so I work through my shower routine quickly. Being a single mom, I have my routine down to a fine art, so I take minimal time getting ready. Wrapping my hair in a towel, I dress in my underwear and cover myself with a wrap as my sister knocks on my front door.

“Come on in!” I call out toSarahas I make my way downstairs toward the front door. I’m not sure why she’s knocking.

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