Page 24 of Recipes for Life

“When you’re ready for that conversation, we can talk about that, too.”

Lux yawned before I had time to answer him,thankfully.I still didn’t know what I wanted, but considered my interest…piqued.

I grabbed Lux from his arms, and she settled her head on my shoulder. Knowing she was still under the weather, I was ready to get her home and into bed.

“I’ll…I’ll text you when we get home,” I said in a whisper. “You know, to let you know that she's okay and all settled in.”

I didn’t have to do that, I never really have before—just mild updates here and there, but nothing like this. I knew I didn’t have to, but I wanted to.

“That’d be great. Thanks for coming over.” Murphy had his hands tucked into his pockets as if he was unsure of what to do with the loss of Lux. I hitched her up further over my hip as I walked toward the backyard oasis that caused dreamy thoughts on my way to the car.Lux was already slipping—this child was heavy, even for short distances.

“You need some help?”

“Good lord, Murph, make some noise next time! I had no idea you were behind me.” I was a little peeved that he was seeing me huffing and puffing.

Without warning, Murphy lightly tapped the hip that wasn’t carrying Lux and swooped her effortlessly from my arms, only for Lux to squeal in delight. I finally caught up to them as he was strapping her into her booster seat.

“Will I see you tomorrow, Daddy?”

“Probably not tomorrow, kid, but maybe the next day. I’ll get a hold of your mom, okay?” He tucked a lose hair behind her ear, giving her a look of such devotion, it sent tingles through my heart.

He turned his gaze to me and the emotion I saw reflected in them was almost enough to put me on my knees.

“You drive safe, you hear? My entire world is in that car.” Giving me a very pointed look, leaving absolutely no room for debate that he included me in that statement, he closed Lux in and tapped the roof. “All set.”

Unable to form words, and realizing I had put myself into a situation I didn’t think I was ready to handle, I scooted my assto the driver’s side and let myself in. I spent entirely too much time putting my seatbelt on, trying to sort through what just happened, and adjusting my mirrors before I caught a glimpse of Murphy in the rearview mirror, looking as though everything he cared about was driving away from him.

Chapter 18

Odette

Getting Lux to bed this evening was a little more difficult than normal. She was sick and tired, and I knew part of her wanted her dad.

“How about a book tonight, baby? You always want me to read you books.”

She huffed at me. For someone so small, she sure could pack a punch in the sasscategory.

“I didn’t get to write in my journal like I usually do.” She pouted, and I really hated that I had no idea what she was talking about.

“What journal, babe? Can we make one here?”

Apparently, that was the wrong question and the waterworks started. I never did get her to answer me; she finally tired herself out by crying, and I knew it wasn’t about me. She was sick, she was tired, but it still made me feel like I was missing something important.

I made my way down to the kitchen where Wynn was enjoying a glass of wine and looking over some emails on her iPad.

“Tough day, sis?” she asked without glancing up. She was privileged enough to hear the entire meltdown from Lux just moments ago.

“It was actually…a weird one.” Thankfully, I finally had someone to talk to about what a turn my life seemed to have taken within the last forty-eight hours.

Wynn locked her iPad and set it down on the table. “Oh? Like, I need to grab the bottle of wine, or just a refill will do?”

“I’m going to go with the bottle.”

“This is so exciting! You’re never exciting anymore! Let me guess, Benji got squished by rocks, not enough to kill him…seriouslymaimhim maybe…”

I gasped, “Wynn!”

She shook her head, almost confused by herself for saying that out loud. “Whoops… I thought I was keeping that to myself.” She blushed, and Wynnneverblushed, so this wasodd.“I’m really sorry, Ode. I didn’t mean it.” She looked down at her glass of wine and frowned. “Maybe I’ve had too much wine...”

---