Page 237 of Beyond the Blue Horizon
Apparently, being ravaged by him twice in one day wasn’t enough.
“What are you two over here whispering about?” he asked.
“About how you had your wicked way with my granddaughter,” Nelly tossed out. Fully nonchalant.
“Nelly,” I admonished.
Did she have no filter?
Theo chuckled, and that dark, moonlit gaze jumped between us. “That so?”
“Mmhmm,” she hummed as she tossed the potatoes she’d cubed into a pot.
“Well, I hope you don’t mind too much because I plan on doing it over and over again.” Theo sent me a cocky smirk.
I nearly melted to the floor.
I wasn’t sure if it was out of embarrassment or the rush of need.
Laughter howled from Nelly, and she picked up the pot and carried it to the stove. “Knew you were the one,” she said as she turned the knob to bring the ring to life.
Theo looked directly at me, and the amusement drained away and bled into severity. “Yeah, I hope I’m the one.”
Christmas music played from the speakers, the lights cut low, easiness riding through the air. I sat angled in the corner of the couch, one leg drawn up under me and my elbow rested on the back cushion as I watched Theo play with Finn on the floor. Nelly had retired to the lounger to the side of them, her feet propped up, a slow smile on her face as she admired their antics.
“I got you!” Finn shouted as he jumped onto Theo’s back, wrapping his little arms around his neck and holding on tight.
“Ahhh,” Theo cried, carefully whipping around like he couldn’t break out of Finn’s hold. “What? That was a sneak attack! You came from out of nowhere. I didn’t even see you.”
Joyous laughter resounded from Finn. “Ireawyfastwike Nowan.”
“You like that Nolan?” Theo asked. He cast me a soft smile as he reached around and pulled Finn onto his lap.
Finn stood between his legs, bopping his head the way he always did. “And Maci! I got topwaywith kids.”
“It’s nice having friends, isn’t it, little man?”
“I gopwayright now?”
Theo let go of a light chuckle. “Think it’s probably too late tonight since Maci and Nolan have school in the morning, but what do you say we go play with them this weekend?”
“I say yes.”
Warmth spread through me, those roots sinking way down deep.
Home.
Home.
Home.
The hope of it echoed through me like a dream.
“That is if I’m ever able to get up off this floor after Nelly stuffed me full of the most delicious dinner I’ve ever eaten,” Theo said, patting his stomach and glancing at Nelly with a grin.
She waved him off. “It was nothin’.”
“My taste buds say otherwise,” he told her. “I’m going to have to return the favor soon since you’re constantly making meals that knock my socks off.”
