Page 18 of Rain Delay

Removing the last item from the container, I placed it next to the others and stood.

“It’s a mess out there. I was thinking we could turn this into a sort of litter box for him.”

She looked between Finn, the container, and me.

“What even made you think of that?”

“I was just looking around for ideas, spotted the bin, and it came to mind. It’s really nasty out there now and it’s supposed to get worse. He can’t be going out in a hurricane to do his business and you definitely can’t go out with him. It’s not safe.”

As if to punctuate my words, the wind howled and rain pelted against the garage doors.

“There should be some old beach blankets in that container up there.” She pointed to the top rack. “We can line it with those and just throw them away.”

I reached up and pulled down the bin she’d pointed to and placed it on the floor. She watched me, her eyes fascinated.

“What?”

“It must be amazing being that tall.”

I shrugged. “It comes in handy sometimes. But squeezing into the middle seat of a flight isn’t very fun.”

“I’m sure a multi-million-dollar pitcher like you can afford first class.”

“I was this height junior year in high school. I didn’t become a multi-million-dollar pitcher until a few years ago.”

Leaning down, I gave her a playful kiss then opened the bin and pulled out a beach towel. She watched as I folded then tucked it into the low container.

“What?” I asked her again for the second time in five minutes.

“You’re very domestic for a jock.”

“Why do you say that?”

“You cook, you have no problem taking care of Finn, and you folded that blanket like a pro. I’m half tempted to run upstairs and grab a fitted sheet to see what you can do with it.”

That last comment made me laugh.

“I’m not that good, but I can do the basics. My mom was determined to raise me so I could do all the things my dad couldn’t.”

“Like?”

“The things their generation thought of as women's work.” I used air quotes with those last two words. “Cooking, ironing, washing and folding clothes, and cleaning the bathroom properly because men can’t aim straight.”

“Go Marian,” she said, pumping her fist in the air.

“Speaking of cooking, let’s go upstairs and I’ll make you breakfast.”

As if he understood my words, Finn ran past us and bounded up the stairs.

“I’ll do it. I owe you a couple meals,” she said. “What are you feeling? Pancakes, eggs and bacon, omelet?”

“Eggs and bacon sounds perfect. I take mine over easy so of course I’ll need extra toast to dunk into the yolk.”

“A man after my own heart.”

Ivy preceded me up the stairs, giving me a chance to ogle her ass.

“How do you take your coffee?” she asked. “I didn’t notice yesterday.”

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