Page 87 of Better Together

“Hey, it’s your turn,” Ben said.

Colt checked the play card and then his hand before throwing down a blue eight.

The rumble of Remi’s truck had Colt and Ben’s heads rising in unison.

“She’s home.”

Colt pressed a finger to his lips, reminding Ben to keep quiet about the surprise. Abby had been playing in her room for over half an hour, and there was a chance she’d snuggled up with one of her dolls and fallen asleep.

Remi’s footfalls thudded against the porch, and there was a moment of silence while she removed her boots before opening the door.

Colt stood and opened his arms. “Welcome home, princess.”

Her shoulders sank, and her smile was tired but present. When she fell into his arms, the full weight of her exhaustion rested on his chest. He rubbed circles on her back and fought back the urge to ask how the session went. Was he allowed to ask that? Better safe than sorry.

Abby bolted out of her bedroom and pointed at Remi’s bedroom door. “Uncle Colt has you flowers behind that door!”

Remi lifted her head from his chest and looked up at him with wide eyes. So much for sharing the surprise after the kids went to bed.

“Abby! Seriously? He told us not to tell.”

Abby propped her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes at her brother. “And Remi told us not to keep secrets from her.”

Watching Remi, Colt waited for a reaction. Would she think he was pressuring her? Would she even like flowers? She never asked for anything that was just for looks, but was that because she didn’t care about those things or because she couldn’t afford them?

Remi knelt in front of Abby and took her hands. “I love that you don’t keep secrets from me, but happy surprises are okay.”

Abby bounced on her feet and pointed toward the kitchen. “There’s mine.”

“They’re beautiful. Will you show me mine?”

Remi let Abby drag her to the bedroom where she emerged with the large vase of flowers. Her gaze locked on Colt immediately. “They’re beautiful.”

Colt rubbed his jaw. Remi usually brushed off his attempts at romance, but today, it seemed she’d graciously accept the gesture. “I thought you might need a reminder of me while I’m gone.”

Remi rolled her eyes as she stepped toward him. “I don’t need a reminder. I doubt I could ever forget you, considering you’re the first person I see every morning.”

Was she just pointing out a fact or begrudging the time they spent together? Maybe she needed some space. Was she tired of him?

Remi shouted over her shoulder as she put the vase on the kitchen table next to Abby’s, “Kids! Get ready for bed!”

When the kids darted off to brush their teeth, Remi approached him.

His breaths deepened, and a chill rushed down his spine. Why was he nervous all of a sudden? The doubts had piled up, and he was second-guessing everything.

“Thanks for letting me go this afternoon. I know it was really out of the way, but I needed–”

“You don’t have to explain to me. And I didn’tletyou go. You’re free to go wherever you want.”

“I know that, but we’re a team now. I hate it when I’m not pulling my weight around here.”

Colt placed his full hand over her mouth. “Shh. You pull more than your fair share. You’re about to be doing it all by yourself for a week. You can take time for yourself and not feel guilty about it.”

Her eyes glistened as she looked up at him, and the emotion that she kept so hidden was on full display.

“Do I need to cancel the trip? Say the word, and I’ll do it. I won’t go if you need me here.”

Remi shook her head, and he lowered his hand. “No. You have to go.”

---