Page 73 of Landon (In Safe Hands)
“Tommy!You shouldn’t bother people you’ve just met.”
Theboy’s face falls until I kneel down and ask, “Can you swim?”
“Likea fish! That’s what my swim coach says. I’m a pirhana!” He bares his teeth atme, then giggles.
“Well,come on then, pirhana. Let’s go do a cannonball.”
ChapterSixteen
Zoe
AfterLandon’s last experience with the XP group, I’m surprised he agreed to return,but I’m so happy he did. Tonight has been wonderful. I’ve met some great peopleand have gained a better understanding of what it’s like to love someone withLandon’s condition. Even better, Landon has spent the evening playing in thepool with the kids that freaked him out yesterday, and hanging out with some ofthe guys.
Watchinghim with the kids, I know he’ll be a great father when and if we decide toadopt children. He’s a natural. He shocked me a little with the vasectomy talk,but I honestly don’t have a problem with it. There are plenty of children thatneed a home.
“Readyto go, sweetheart?” he asks, slipping an arm around me from behind. His palm ishot against my bare stomach.
BeforeI can respond, Jean asks, “You two are coming to the old west show tomorrownight, aren’t you?”
Landongrins from ear to ear. “If I have to lasso her and bring her there on a horse.She’s marrying me whether she likes it or not.”
“Oh!You’re getting married tomorrow! That’s fantastic!” Jean hugs me. “And I’m sureyou won’t have to hogtie her.” She turns to Zoe. “Might want to brand himthough. Don’t let him get away.”
Laughing,we excuse ourselves. “Hmm, branding huh? It’s not a bad idea. Maybe a propertyof Zoe brand on your ass. It’d only hurt for a week or so.”
“Veryfunny. I’m going to mark your ass with my handprint when I get you back to theroom.”
Mybody is close to his and I can feel the heat from his skin as we walk. “Savesomething for the honeymoon.”
Wehave dinner brought to our room, and share a shower which of course leads tosex. Like hours of sex. Like my vagina is never going to be the same, sex. Oncewe’re cuddled in bed, my head resting on his hard chest, I ask him what hethinks of the XP group now.
“Thekids are amazing. They don’t let the hospital visits, surgeries or restrictionsslow them down. Tommy is eight and the fastest swimmer on his team. Theyactually meet in the evenings at an indoor pool, just so he can participate.”
“So,not so doom and gloom?”
“Itsucks that they have to struggle, but they’re worse off than me, and if theycan keep a positive attitude, so can I.” His fingers run through my hair. “I’mglad I came. Thanks for bullying me into it.”
“Ididn’t bully you!” He jerks as I pinch his nipple.
“Okay,nagged.”
“You’repushing it, buddy.”
Witha chuckle, he rolls over, clutching me to his warm body. “I can’t wait to makeyou my wife tomorrow.”
“Mmm,me too.” His breathing evens out, and my eyes slam shut.
Fromthe moment I wake the next day, I’m a ball of nerves, but I try not to show it.I don’t want Landon to think I have cold feet or any doubt this is what I want.
TheFrontier Place is everything I expected and more. They’ve recreated an oldwestern town complete with saloon, general store, hotel, and stable. Employeeswalk around in period dress, their clothes slightly dusty from the dirt road. Horsesare tethered to a hitching rail near a long trough of water, and a fewstagecoaches are parked in front of the hotel.
Theonly thing that throws off the ambiance a bit is the sodium lights illuminatingeverything, but there’s no help for that. The desert is seriously dark, evenwith the moonlight raining down on us.
Ashiver runs through me, despite my warm jacket. So much for my thought that thedesert is always hot. Apparently, in December, not so much. A man dressed as acowboy, including boots, spurs, and a wide brimmed hat approaches us. “Welcometo Frontier Place. I’m Buckshot Bill. Are you the lucky couple here for thenuptials?”
Hisfake accent makes me smile. Landon’s arm wraps around my shoulders and he gazesdown at me as he replies with pride on his voice. “Yes, Sir. This is Zoe, Ineed her hitched to me quick, before she changes her mind.”
“Ooo-ee,and ain’t she a purty one.” Bill whistles through his teeth. A few members ofthe XP group arrive, including Charles and Karen, the organizers of the group,Jean, and her little boy. The kids circle around Landon, hoping for the sameattention he showed them yesterday.
