Page 86 of Single Mom's Mountain Men
"Uncle Wes isn’t momma’s boyfriend," Katie says in her patient older sister's voice. "Uncle Charlie is."
"No, he’s not. It’s Uncle Wes."
"No. Uncle Charlie tucks us in sometimes. And he kissed momma on the head. And he makes googly eyes at her all the time."
"So does Uncle Wes. And Uncle Mitch makes sure we eat all our veggies, so is he momma’s boyfriend too?"
Oh, Lord. As my kids bicker I look over their heads to snag Mitch’s gaze. There’s a smile tucked into the corner of his lips but I’m not sure if it’s because he finds the situation amusing or simply ridiculous. I’m conflicted. I didn’t think my kids caught on to the dynamic in the house but apparently, they have.
We need to be more careful. I don’t want to confuse them so early with all our shenanigans.
I have to set things straight sooner.
"Girls," I announce, stopping their bickering instantly. "Neither Uncle Charlie, nor Uncle Wes is my boyfriend. Nor Uncle Mitch for that matter. They’re just mommy’s very special friends. Okay?"
The girls cock their heads in consideration for a few seconds. And then they nod.
"Told you," Katie says, happy to have the last word.
"Now the two of you go wash up, while I make us something for lunch. And then you can go play with Wiley. I think he’s in the shed with Charlie."
"Okay, Mommy." And then they run off as Mitch finally closes the gap between us.
"You shouldn’t be up," he says and it’s hard to breathe in his presence with the intense look in his eye.
"I couldn’t sleep," I admit. "I had to do something active. I feel fine now."
"Are you sure?
"For the thousandth time, yes," I smile. "You guys have asked me that question so many times today and the answer is the same. I just had a bad fall, that's all. Technically, I only hit my head a little. There was no concussion and there’s no need for too much concern according to the doctor."
Mitch still eyes me doubtfully. "If you’re sure,"
"I am." I say, and then the silence follows.
"What did you and Wes argue about when he came into the room?" I ask. "I was kind of out of it at the end."
His self-satisfied smirk has a smile mirroring on my face.
"The usual. Just making sure he was completing the quota as agreed without slacking off."
"Oh." I try to remain quiet but the words are bursting inside me and I can’t keep them held back anymore. I would be doing a disservice to the family if I did.
"Have you ever thought that maybe you don’t have to try so hard to push against the tide?"
Mitch cocks his head like my daughters did. "What do you mean?"
I shrug. "It's just something I learned from my foster mother. She used to sometimes say that life is a series of tides. Sometimes it’s necessary to fight against the tides. And sometimes it’s a useless act of defiance as a way to seek control in an uncontrollable world. In those cases, you need to stop fighting and just go with it."
He stares at me for a long time and then says, "You’re so sexy when you spout those smart little proverbs."
I roll my eyes. "Mitch..."
"I know. You’re trying to tell me that I should let Wes go do what he wants and not be so insistent on him working here."
"Not just Wes. Charlie too."
"Charlie?" he frowns.
