Page 68 of Headed for Home

“Have you recovered yet?” Drake squeezes my knee that’s thankfully quit trembling.

I swipe at the unshed tears dampening my lashes, daring another to fall. “Totally.”

But that’s a lie. The guarded version of myself that existed prior to Drake Granger barging into my heart is long gone. That protective layer didn’t stand a chance. Good riddance. This man is providing a detailed definition of what devotion looks and feels like. Don’t even get me started on the fact he’s wearing a western shirt with the sleeves rolled up to expose his inked, veiny forearms. Freaking yum. It’s safe to admit I’m smitten.

When he showed up at Greener Pastures thirty minutes ago, claiming we had a date to fulfill our Saturday tradition, I stood motionless as the math tried mathing. But the missing pieces couldn’t be ignored. It was my weekend with the kids. There wasn’t a babysitter in sight. Drake hadn’t said a word about hanging out.

The only part that made sense had been the twins urging me to wear a pretty dress for dinner. Although, at the time, I’d questioned their insistence. As far as I knew, we were eating at Auntie June’s house, but I decided to play along. There’s no harm in looking nice for family.

Except that wasn’t the plan, much to my surprise. Drake and his sidekicks had this night sorted into a very different format. Emotion got the best of me when my boyfriend explained he’d purchased and installed the same booster seats in his truck that I have for the kids. We were going out. Together. I’ve been a blubbering mess ever since.

Afternoon fades into evening outside the passenger window. I still don’t know where he’s taking us. Nobody has spilled the beans. The familiar landscape passing by in a blur doesn’t offer any clues.

Drake’s palm rests on my thigh, staking a permanent residence that I sense in my soul. “Are you happy, beauty?”

I shift my watery gaze in his direction. “Extremely.”

“That’s my cowgirl. My beautiful sunflower.” He snags my hand and kisses my inner wrist, then lowers our clasped fingers to my leg. “You brighten my days. When I bask in your warmth, all is right in the world. Shine on me always, beauty.”

“Good grief. My chest might burst.” In addition to the fresh wave of heat attacking my eyes as I recall the oversized bouquet he gifted me.

“Can’t have that,” he rasps. “Allow me to turn those wobbly lips right side up.”

Which could involve so many things. I brace for the unexpected. Drake takes a tight turn and punches the accelerator. The engine roars, launching us full speed ahead. Kenzie and Charlie squeal in the backseat. Giddy applause soon follows.

“Wheeeeeeee!” The twins erupt in a chorus of glee when he hits the gas after another curve.

“He got stuck in the mud again,” my daughter giggles to her brother.

“It’s sooooo fun,” Charlie laughs.

My smile is stretched so wide that an ache blooms. It’s a welcome twinge, sending my mood even higher. “You bend to them like a willow branch.”

Drake flicks on his blinker when we reach Main Street. “Can you blame me? Your kids are perfect angels.”

A sting spreads in my nose, reigniting the waterworks. I sniffle while fanning my face. “This is too much for one night.”

A dry chuckle rumbles from him. “You’ll get used to it.”

“Uh-huh, ‘cause we’re the VIP.”

I turn to see Kenzie dancing in her seat. “VIP?”

“Mhmm”, Charlie replies. “It means very important peoples.”

My makeup is a lost cause at this rate. “Oh, my.”

“I’ve got the dream league.” Drake nods to us and parks the truck.

My jaw unhinges when I notice where we’ve stopped. “You can’t be serious.”

“What’s the problem?”

“My kids can’t go into your bar.” I fling an arm at the windshield as if there’s any question of our destination.

Drake unbuckles himself. “It’s a family-friendly restaurant.”

My butt remains firmly in place. “Since when?”

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