Page 59 of Unexpected Danger
That seemed to satisfy Xander, and in response to his mother’s asking, Xander led the prayer before lunch. Londyn closed her eyes and bowed her head.
“Dear Lord. Thank you for bugs, my parents, Grammie, Yukon, Spider, and my friend, Kit. Oh, and thank You for Aunt Londyn. Please help her not to be too lonely because she has no husband, children, or grandchildren. And, Lord, please bless this food and let it help us to grow big and strong. We love You, Jesus. Amen.”
Xander’s prayer touched Londyn’s heart. He was such a thoughtful and sweet little guy.
They ate the sandwiches, slices of cantaloupe, and some cookies before Xander sprang from his seat. “Is that a new friend I see?”
Kit leaped off his seat as well and joined Xander on the right-hand side of the patio, where two pill bugs crept along. Xander reached down and allowed the pill bug to climb onto his hand. He giggled. “That tickles,” he said. He held up his hand as the bug traveled up his arm. “I love pill bugs.”
“You love all bugs,” said Kit.
“Not all bugs,” said Xander. “I don’t love mosquitoes, or wasps, or ticks, or pincher bugs.”
Kit shook his head. “Me either.”
“And once upon a time, I found a pincher bug in the house by my room.” Xander scowled. “They’re mean and they climb into your ears and pinch the insides of them.”
“Ouch.” Kit shook his head. “No pincher bugs for me.”
Xander grabbed the hose a few minutes later, and Kit turned on the water. They started filling up the swimming pool, and Yukon yipped, his tail wagging before he leaped into the pool.The dog jumped out just as quickly and shook his fur, causing drops of water to reach as far as Londyn and Mila.
Yukon then dashed over to Londyn and rested his wet face on her leg. She patted him on the head. “Yukon, you’re a goofball.”
Xander zipped over as well with goggles stretched across his round face and the strap bending over his left ear. “Did you know I’m taking swimming lessons?”
“That’s wonderful. It’s always a good thing to know how to swim.”
“Yes, and some of my friends were in the water at our last lesson too.”
Xander had become even more talkative since she last saw him. “That’s good. Friends are great to swim with.”
Xander tilted his head to one side. “Yes, but really, caterpillars and box elder bugs don’t like the water a whole lot.” He bounded off and took a flying leap into the pool, splashing Kit, who giggled.
Londyn laughed. “So that’s what he meant by friends.”
“I’ve never seen a little guy who loves bugs as much as he does.” Mila leaned back in the chair and rested her hands on her baby bump.
“Do you guys have names picked out yet?”
“We do. While we still have lots of time, I think I just about have Roarke convinced regarding a first name. The middle name was easy; it will be Nan-Aileen, hyphenated.”
“Oh, that’s pretty.”
“Thank you. It’s of course after Roarke’s mom, but also my grandma, Nan.”
“And for the first name?”
“Zoey, so Zoey Nan-Aileen Brenneman.”
“I like that.”
“It will be a mouthful if both kids are being naughty at the same time. Xander and Zoey.”
Londyn took a sip of her lemonade. “I’m really happy for you and Roarke.”
“Thank you. God is good.”
Xander, Kit, and Yukon splashed in the pool, the cold water not deterring them at all.
