Page 58 of The Unbuttoned Ranger
This time she let him go.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“I beat you!” Carsen jumped up and wiggled his behind.
“Keep it down, buddy. Piper is sleeping upstairs,” CaDee said. She’d noticed that Piper had seemed a lot more tired lately.
CaDee, Sharp, and Carsen were sitting on the floor with a board game and a popcorn bowl between them. She was glad that Sharp had forgiven her for accusing him of taking her journal. She still had no clue where it went and assumed Milo must have taken off with it.
“Well done, Sport,” Sharp said with a high five.
“I’m the winner!” Carsen crooned.
“Okay, let’s not rub it in too much,” CaDee drew Carsen into her arms for a tight hug.“It’s past your bedtime so run along and brush your teeth. I’ll be up to read you a story in a few minutes.”
“I want Sharp to read my bedtime story,” Carsen said.
CaDee looked from Carsen to Sharp.“That’s entirely up to Sharp.”
He stood and stretched out the kinks in his back.“I’m in.”
“I’ll come in after I clean up here. Make sure you brush your teeth, Carsen.”
Cadee felt a ping in her chest watching Carsen lay his hand in Sharp’s much larger one as they walked up the stairs.
Somehow Sharp had swept into her life and showed her that she could trust someone again.
She put away the board game, took the popcorn into the kitchen, did the dishes, and headed upstairs. She stayed outside of the bedroom door full of emotion. Carsen was tucked against Sharp’s arm while he readThree Little Pigs, even changing the sound of his voice for effect.
When he read The End, CaDee stepped inside. “Bedtime.”
Carsen was rubbing his eyes sleepily.“Sharp is a good reader, Mommy,” he yawned.
“I heard. I agree.” She winked at Sharp who hauled himself out of the bed.
“Night, champ.”
Carsen jumped up and gave Sharp a hug then dropped back onto the bed, bouncing twice, then scooping Tommy up close.
CaDee kissed him on the cheek and forehead then gave his hand a squeeze.“Sleep tight.”
“Mommy?”
“Yes baby?”
“Will you have a baby again?”
“Uhh…why do you ask?” Knowing this needed her attention, she sat down on the bed.
“I’m going to run downstairs,” Sharp excused himself.
“Because Sarah and Saul are brother and sister. I think I’d like to have one.”
“Well, that’s a big question and one I can’t answer with a yes or no.”
“Do you love Sharp?”
She had to manage her expression.“That’s another big question. I have respect for Sharp. I love you.” She tickled under her chin. He laughed and buried his face in the pillow.“It’s time for you to shut your eyes and get some sleep.”
