Page 166 of Smooth Sailing

And yes, you guessed it, Joker was ludicrously good-looking, and his woman, with blonde-red curls, reminded me of a cheerleader. They were surrounded (and one might even say besieged) by children.

“Travis, Clementine, Wyatt, Raven and Dakota,” Big Petey said. “They were gonna go for another one but thought instead maybe they should let the kids get a little older and adopt one who’s older, ’cause they’re harder to place. Or they might foster.”

He turned the phone his way, slid his finger across the screen, then showed it to me again.

When I saw the picture on it, I felt something I’d never felt before.

My womb clutching with unadulterated yearning.

This was because it was a photo of Hugger with Raven on his back. She had her little arms wrapped around his thick neck. She appeared to be whispering something in his ear, and he appeared to be taking whatever it was seriously.

“Thick as thieves, those two,” Big Petey announced. “Uncle Hug’s all the kids’ favorite, ‘cause he’s got all the time in the world for them.”

“Pete,” Hugger warned low.

Big Petey ignored him. “But think sometimes Rave gets lost in the mix with all the kids. Not just her own brood, but all a’ Chaos is crawlin’ with little ones. She’s a shy little gal. Hugger is her safe place.”

Slowly, I turned my head to Hugger.

His full lips in his beard were thin in annoyance at Big Petey laying it on kinda thick.

But I loved this.

“Uncle Hug,” I whispered.

“Shut it,” he whispered back.

I smiled huge at him.

Hugger sighed then stood, announcing, “Di cooked, so Dutch, we’re gonna clear.”

Dutch, who was grinning madly at his lap, muttered, “Right,” and stood up, grabbing plates.

Hugger nabbed some of his own and the two men left Pete and me alone.

When the men had gone, I turned to Big Petey.

“Can I see that picture again?”

Pete handed me his phone and I stared at Hugger and Raven.

“They’re super cute together,” I murmured my understatement.

“Wait until you get a load of them in real life,” Pete said.

I couldn’t.

I simply couldn’t wait.

I also couldn’t wait for other things. And seeing that photo made me hope even more than I already was that I’d get them.

Hugger and Dutch came back to get more stuff, then they returned to the kitchen.

I leaned toward Pete, handing his phone to him.

“I think you get we’re together now,” I whispered.

Pete leaned toward me, his lips tipped up. “Oh, I get that, darlin’.”

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