Page 48 of Twenty Years Later

Laughing, I said, "Not at all. I'm right there with you."

"And don't let me sleep tonight, okay?" she said, peeking up at me with those sexy eyes.

That was something we could both agree on for sure. "Okay."

"Promise?"

"I promise." Hell, yeah, did I promise.

She moved away to start cleaning up the kitchen, but I held onto her hand and brought her back to me, leaning down close to her ear. "Don't youeverforget what a wonderful mom you are. You did the best you could at the time. And Audrey is the luckiest little girl in the world to have you in her life."

Those green eyes filled up with tears right before I captured her lips with mine.

***

"You know, I made all these plans," Jayda said. "But we don't really have to do anything. I'm just enjoying being with you. And look at these girls."

Gabby and Audrey had both abandoned their jackets to storm up and down the play structure in Jayda's backyard. Well, Gabby more toddled her way around, trying to keep up with a wild Audrey.

"That's some serious energy," I said.

"I'm wondering if Audrey got into the candy stash. Or maybe your pancake recipe had a lot of sugar in it," she teased.

"Yep, just blame it all on me and my crappy pancakes," I joked, glancing down at Jayda who looked so hot in that little winter hat and her coat. I didn't know what it was about that hat, but I loved it on her.

I put my arm around her, squeezing her into my side as her arm came around my back, her hand gripping my waist. Man, even that tiny gesture set me off. Everything about this woman's touch made me lose it. For the millionth time, I mentally cursed my teenage self for not grabbing her up when I had the chance.

"Can't you just feel the snow coming in the air?" Jayda asked between the girls' shrieks.

I glanced up at the blue sky, the weak sun shining on us. "Um, no. I can't say that I do."

"You can't, Miami boy?"

I gave her arm a squeeze. "No, former Miami girl."

"Well, I guess I'm a Maine girl now... because I canfeelit, smell it, almost taste it." She bounced up and down on her toes. "First snow of the season."

"How did I get so lucky?"

Eyes narrowed, she studied my face. "I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not."

I couldn't resist laughing. "No, actually, I'm excited. I don't have much experience with snow, except the rare times when I've traveled someplace cold during the winter. And of course, Gabby's never seen it."

"Oh, I really hope we get a good amount and not just a dusting."

"When's it supposed to hit?"

"Tonight. I'd love to wake up to a couple inches even. They say it should be three to four." Her enthusiasm was downright contagious. "And I have Audrey's old snow pants that Gabby could wear."

"Do you have snow pants for me? Or maybe one of those hats you're wearing?"

She glanced at me sideways, giggling. "I never know with you... whether you're kidding or not."

"Good." I laughed. "But seriously, I'd like one of those hats."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I'd like to see if I look half as cute as you do in one."

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