Page 50 of Stolen Kisses

Where could they have gone?

Moving outside to the back deck, the open door to Theo’s workshop catches my eye. There’s a strip of light shining out through the opening. I can’t believe I didn’t notice it before. My bare feet are silent as they press into the soft grass. The blood in my body’s pumping at a furious rate and I’m struggling to take in a deep breath. Reaching the open door, I hear low voices murmuring. Relief washes over me instantly and Isuckin a much-needed breath in an attempt to calm myself. My hand shoots up to my chest in a lame attempt to slow the beats now that I know Lachlan’s safe.

Leaning against the door frame, Ifoldmy arms and watch in silence. Lachlan’s obviously found his ‘thing’. The thing that calms him and keeps him steady. He loves working with thetimberand even manages to tolerate the noisy machinery required to do some of the work. Not that Theo’s allowed him to use any of the machines, but Lachlan doesn’t balk at the loud noises while wearing the ear protection Theo insists the kids use whenever they’re around. Lachlan’s lips are spread in a genuine smile and I can see the glint of happiness in his eyes from here as he sands the outdoortablehe’s been helping Theo with.

Theo may be new to this parenting gig, but he does an awesome job with the kids. He takes the time to show and guide and teach the kids how to complete a task from start to finish. Explaining the reasons and finer points in just enough detail to keep their attention. My own smile touches my lips as I watch the two of them work together. Theo looks up, catching me watching the two of them working together. He says something to Lachlan before making his way toward me with light in his eyes and a smile on his face. He moves straight into my personal space, cupping the back of my head before dropping his lips to mine in a gentle kiss. Combing his fingers through mybed-tousledhair, he pulls away, locking his eyes with mine.

“Good morning,Peaches,”he whispers before kissing me again. “How’d you sleep?”

“Too good.” I swallow down the memory of my fear when I woke to find Lachlan gone. “I panicked when I woke to find Lachlan missing from his bed. How long have you guys been up?”

His forehead crinkles as he rubs his hands up and down my arms. The action comfortsme mildly. “I’m sorry you were worried. I heard him rustling around and then he started huffing and puffing, so I told him we could get up quietly and get to work on sanding the table. We’ve probably been upfora couple of hours. I didn’t even notice the sun coming up.”

I place my hands on Theo’s slim hips. “You didn’t have to do that. I’m so sorry he woke you. He rarely sleeps through the night and last night he was out of his usual routine, which probably made it worse for him.” I press up on my toes to kiss him in thanks. “Thank you. I must have been tired because I didn’t hear anything.”

He smiles down at me and I can almost see his chest puffing up in pride. “That was the plan. I wanted you to get a good night’s sleep.” He takes my hand, pulling me into his workshop. The scent of timber and saw dust fills my nostrils; it’s a smell that’s become synonymous with Theo. “Come. Look at what we’re working on.”

It’s a gorgeous hexagonal table made of redwood. As I run my hand across the surface, the mild spicy scent of the timber fills my nose. The slatted design on the tabletop is extremely intricate, adding interest to what would otherwise be a regular flat surface. “This is gorgeous, Theo. You’re so very talented. Whoever ordered this piece is going to love it so much.”

He scrubs his fingernails through his bristles then lifts his chin toward Lachlan, who’s busy hand sanding the edge. “Couldn’t have done it without my man, Lachlan’s, help.”

Lachlan looks up, eyes wide. “Really?”

“Really. You’ve helped me a lot. Your eye for detail, showing me the rough spots, really helped to make this a professional piece of furniture.” He moves to Lachlan and musses his hair and surprisingly, Lachlan seems to press his head into Theo’s hand.

“Morning, Buddy. How did you sleep?” I wrap my arm around him, pulling him into me so I can kiss him good morning.

“I slept soundly for the time I was asleep, Mommy. I just woke up early.” He shrugs as if it’s no big deal. Itisa big deal though. He rarely sleeps soundly when he’s asleep, he’s always restless. I wonder if it was because we were all sleeping together?

“That’s great. You look like you’re doing a great job there helping Theo.”

He looks down at the wood where he’s been working. “I like sanding the timber. I like making it smooth. Then I really like it when it’s time to rub in the beeswax. I like to watch the wood change color.”

I nod, a lump forming in my throat at his words.

“You were born to work with timber, Lachlan. You’ve got a great eye for the cuts, grain, and the finer finishing off details.”

Two little arms wrap around my thigh, much like the very first day I met Kenny. My hand instantly goes to stroke her knotty hair. “Morning, Uncle Theo. Morning, Emma. Morning, Lachlan,” Kenny says in a sleep-filled voice. I bend down to pick her up, nuzzling my nose into her neck, soaking in her little girl smell. Theo steps around the table to give her a good morning kiss as he rubs her back.

“How’d you sleep, Munchkin.” He keeps his deep voice low.

“Uhm, good. I think. I don’t know. I was asleep.” She reaches her little arms out toward her uncle, climbing across from me to him. “I’mhungwy.”

“How about I go home and make breakfast for everyone, then I’ll call you all over when it’s ready?”

Kenny straightens in her uncle’s arms. “Can I help?”

Even though we’ve been working together in the kitchen over the past few weeks,I lookatTheo to check it’s okay with him. “Sure. I’ll check on Austin. The boys and I’ll be over in thirty minutes? That okay?”

Kenny and I nod in unison. “Sounds perfect. Come on, Kenny, let’s go.”

We both go to the bathroom to do our morning business and wash our hands. Once we’re in my kitchen, I pull out the ingredients we’ll need to make the pancake batter along with bacon and maple syrup. Kenny and I work together to measure out the ingredients before I set the mixer to combine them.

“Uncle Theo mixes the pancake mix with a whisk,” Kenny states as she watches the mixer do its thing.

“Well, you can do it like that. I do it like this so I can do other stuff while it’s mixing. Plus, I find it makes them fluffier.” I tap the end of her tiny nose.

Kenny’s face lights up. “Oh, I likefluffy pancakes.”

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