Page 20 of Recipes for Life

"Daddy took good care of me. He let me eat as many popsicles as I wanted, and that helped." She bobbed her head as if to convince me that was what had cured her.

"Oh, is that so, little miss?" I tickled her again just to hear her laugh, which I could never seem to get enough of.

"It is! It is!" She detangled herself from me. "Let's go, Momma! I'm starving." She tore off through the backyard. It never ceased to amaze me how quickly kids could bounce back from being sick. I tore my gaze away from Lux and met Murphy’s eyes for the first time since being here. His eyes were like a blazing inferno taking me in, almost like he was taking his time memorizing every detail of me. I could feel my blood pressure rise, and even though it was a pleasant day outside, I was suddenly feeling entirely too hot.

Breaking the tension, Murphy finally spoke. "We should follow our girl, huh? Make sure she doesn't get herself into too much trouble." He grinned while staring off after where Lux had disappeared with so much love in his eyes.

"Yeah, we should." It took us both a few seconds to start walking, almost like we didn't want to break the moment we found ourselves in.

"Why don't you stay in the main house anymore, Murphy?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. The second his name left my lips, I felt the spread of heat rise to my cheeks.I really need to figure out a way to stop that from happening so much when I’m around him.

His head swiveled toward mine the second that his name left my lips, and his breathing was ragged, almost as if he were in some sort of pain. This time, he couldn't bring his eyes to meet mine.

"You aren't ready for that answer, Odette." He kept his gaze to the ground, and luckily for him, he was saved by the bell whenLux came tearing through the gate, which was only a few feet from us.

"Come on, you slowpokes!" She only popped through long enough to tell us to hurry up before she was gone in a flash of golden-brown hair and giggles. Murphy seemed to grab hold of the distraction and tore off after our daughter, matching her giggles with his own laugh.

I followed behind them at my own pace, just taking in the backyard. A part of my soul felt oddly at ease back here, like a piece of me was coming home. As much as I wasn't expecting to feel that way, instead of it being an uncomfortable feeling, I felt at peace. I took my time, running my fingers through the different types of flowers that all appeared to be in amazingly good shape and condition. Next to the mini house I knew Lux and Murphy were in, there was a tiny little metal archway with a wooden sign that read "Butterfly Garden." Before I could venture off into that section of the yard, Lux threw open the door of their house and hollered for me once again. "Come on, Mom!"

Throwing my hands up in surrender, I pivoted on my heel and walked the short distance to the entrance.

Chapter 15

Odette

My nose was met with the most pleasant smells: garlic, butter, and a little spice. I couldn't help myself as I groaned out loud. "It smells so good in here."

"Daddy is making grilled cheese and tomato soup!" Lux gleefully informed me. "It's one of my favorites!"

Lux had sat herself at one of the barstools facing Murphy while he had his back to her, stirring a pot of which I could only assume was tomato soup.

A little unsure of how to act, I decided to sit right next to Lux and gathered her in a half hug. I missed my girl last night. I missed her whenever I didn't have her, but it was becoming increasingly harder to part with her half the time.

"How are you feeling, bug?" I squeezed her tighter.

"I'm fine, Momma," she answered with an eye roll.

Six going on thirteen... Someone help me.

I looked up into the eyes of Murphy, who was barely concealing a half grin at her.

"Daddy, how much longer until dinner? I'm starving."

He raised his eyebrows at her. "Normally I have to chase you through the backyard to come in for dinner."

"I'll take a popsicle while I wait," she said with a grin.

He laughed. "Nice try, kid, but not happening." It was the first time I'd heard his laugh inyears.It rolled over my skin, and I couldn't help the beat of my heart that seemed to skip and the unexpected warmth that spread through me. I'd been so used tohatingMurphy that somewhere along the line I had forgotten about the things I liked about him.Was it stupid that my heart seemed to be coming undone over a simple laugh?

While I was momentarily lost in my thoughts, I must have missed the fact that Murphy was speaking to me.

"Odette?" he inquired again.

"I'm sorry, I must have missed what you said." I willed myself not to blush in hopes that Murphy had no idea about the fleeting thoughts I'd just had.

"One grilled cheese or two?"

"Two, please."

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