Page 214 of Bossy Hero

“Love you, big guy.”

“I love you too.”

Jokingly, I growl at him. “Calling it knitting is offensive to the crochet community.”

His shoulders shake with silent laughter as he reaches for the door to his connecting room. When he pulls it open, he gets a surprise.

“Eep!”

“Fecking hell!”

Two startled females flail toward my son, arms and legs going in all directions. Fortunately, he catches them both, one big arm wrapping around each of their midsections. Whatever they were holding tumbles onto the carpeted floor.

“Whoa there,” he husks out.

My crochet supplies fly to the floor as I jerk to my feet and dart across the room to assist.

“Man alive,” Lettie rasps, her fingernails digging into Leo’s forearm.

Since she’s struggling to find her footing, I wrap my arm around her from the side. It takes her a minute since her feet seem to be doing a tap dance routine. Dear sweet klutzy child.

“Sorry about my sea legs,” she jokes.

Leo has a much easier time returning Sue to an upright position. Show-off.

“Are you two all right?” I ask.

Lettie pats her hair down. “Yep. Not the first time I’ve fallen for absolutely no reason at all.”

“Why the hell were you two leaning against the door?”

Sue puts her head down, tucking her hands under her pregnant belly. “Sorry, babe. Sorry, Mrs. Mason. I mean Maddie. I mean Mom. Shoot. I’m just so sorry.”

I beam at her. “Don’t apologize, Susie Q. It’s just a darn good thing my son has quick reflexes and is as big as a tank.”

She looks up at him with those dazzling blue eyes, her grin widening. My heart melts when I get these glimpses of their love.

Remembering that something hit the floor when they fell through the door, I scan around our feet and find two glasses from the bathroom.Oh no.

Good thing they landed on the padded carpet. I bend down to retrieve them, surprised to see them bone dry.Huh.

I hold them in front of me, some of the pieces falling into place in my mind. Sue’s instant apology makes so much more sense now.

“My mommy senses are tingling.” I narrow my eyes at them. “Lettie and Sue, what were you doing leaning against the door with these empty glasses?”

“On our way to get some ice water,” Lettie fibs, convincing absolutely no one. And she knows it.

Sue frowns at her little co-conspirator. “We’re doomed. Just admit it. Neither of us can lie for shite.”

Lettie flips her blond hair over her shoulder, straightening her spine. “Fine. We listened through the door to ensure nothing was wrong in here. We’re at full safety alert, after all. Or red level. Defcon twelve or whatever y’all call it.” She nods overzealously. “Glad to see there are no major problems in here. We’ll just be going.”

Sue brings her flattened hand to the side of her forehead. “Major problems, reporting for duty.” Then she breaks into an adorable giggle fit.

Lettie jabs her fists to her hips, feigning offense. “Hey, that’s my line.” She follows it up with a series of braying chuckles.

By the time they leave, I’m crying again. Only this time, it’s tears of joyous laughter.

Chapter39

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