He hated where his thoughts were taking him but what else could it be? Melora was holding something back from him and he thought it had to do with another man. What else could he think?

He sipped his beer and watched the sun rise fully in the east. He finished his beer and still, he sat there. He realized he had never romanced her when they got together. He wasn’t a sentimental type either. Was it romancing that she needed? Was it gifts? Something she needed that he hadn’t provided? He just couldn’t figure it out.

Finally, the door opened and Melora joined him. She sat down next to him and stared at the rising sun for a moment then finally asked, “What’s troubling you, Bones?”

Sam growled but didn’t answer her right away. Then he said, “I want to know what’s going on in your mind, Silk. Are you thinking of leaving me?”

Melora paused then turned her head to look at him. “Now why would I be thinking about that? Have I ever given you a reason to doubt me? I love you, I love our life together and we share two beautiful kids. Why would I put that in danger? Huh? Why?”

Sam didn’t answer her but he did look at her. She seemed sincere and her words rang true but he also knew she wasn’t telling him everything. “Is there anything going on that I need to know about?”

Melora hesitated then shook her head. “Not that I know of.”

Sam noted her hesitation and he didn’t like it. Was he going to lose her? He couldn’t stand the thought. He didn’t say a word but he just stared out into the backyard.

Melora grunted a bit in frustration then got up and went back into the house.

Sam remained in his chair outside. When the door opened again, he looked over.

TBone stood there. “What ya doing, Daddy?” the little boy asked.

“Just sitting here, boy,” Sam told his young son. “What you doin?”

“Watchin’ you, I guess.” TBone shrugged his small shoulders.

Sam turned and held out his arms.

TBone came over and snuggled in Sam's lap. “Why are you watching me, boy?” Sam asked.

TBone shrugged. “You aren't sitting at the counter today.” The kid looked around. “What ya staring at out here?” He looked over the yard. “Do we got gophies again? They were cool, even though you yelled about their hidey holes.”

Sam smiled a bit. “No gophies.”

“K, then is it the grass?”

Damn, the kid was smart, he’d picked up on something. “Maybe.” Sam checked his watch and found it was time to get going. “Come on kid, you got to get ready for school and I gotta get ready for work.” He then looked over at the backyard. The grass was getting kind of high. He’d neglected that. Maybe he’d been neglecting Melora too?

TBone jumped down and went over to the door. “Come on Dad, if I gotta go to school then you gotta go to work.”

Sam turned to look at him as he groaned dramatically, “You’re a slave driver, you know that, kid?”

“Yup, I know, ain’t it great?” He grinned at his dad. “I’m just like you.” Then he tore off into the house while giggling like crazy.

Sam just shook his head and got up, walking slowly to the door. When he went inside the house, he caught Melora’s eyes.

She just shook her head slowly. Then carrying Shaw on her hip into the kitchen, she turned her back on Sam as she got her daughter’s breakfast ready.

Sam growled under his breath and went to his bedroom where he finished dressing. With each piece of clothing he donned, he kept muttering to himself, “Nothin’s wrong...What’s troubling you? Typing away on the computer like that... Shoes!” He scoffed.

When he came out again, he saw TBone with his mother. Shaw was already cleaned up and ready for the day.

Sam paused then growled and shook his head. He kissed his kids goodbye and took Melora into his arms to kiss her silly.

TBone giggled which caused Shaw to giggle just because he was.

Sam felt the heat of Melora kissing him back and for a time, Sam felt his world revolving evenly again.

TBone outright laughed at them now. “Mama and Daddy sitting in tree K. I. S. S. I. N. G!”