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They both nodded.
Sam quickly returned from the kitchen and tossed them each a beer, while he sipped from a bottle of water. Noah knew his expression at the water was obvious, when Sam responded.
“I stay away from beer while Trina is out. These two are a handful, and I need to stay on my toes.”
“Uncle Harry!” Willow barreled down the steps and leapt into Harrison’s arms.
“Hey kiddo! I hear you’re watching your dad today?”
Willow giggled. “I’ve only had to put him in time out once—so far.”
“Hey, super star.” Noah initiated his and Willow’s secret handshake. The girl had spunk; it was no wonder Sam didn’t drink beer when he was alone with the kids.
“Willow, where’s your brother?” Sam asked.
The little girl pointed upstairs. “In his room.”
“That’s not good,” Sam said, with a look of horror on his face. “Boys, let me teach you a lesson. When a kid is out of sight and quiet, they’re always up to no good. Fear the quiet!” Sam hurried upstairs, leaving Willow smiling, her guilt obvious.
A groan from upstairs told them all they needed to know.
Harrison laughed. “That doesn’t sound good.”
It took a while for Sam to return. Willow kept Harrison and Noah busy playing dance party, and Noah swore he heard the shower turn on.
Sam finally returned; Hank was in his arms looking freshly clean. Both dogs, Belle and Toby were in tow, licking their lips.
“The Hank-monster looks extra clean today,” Harrison commented.
“A quick bath will do that.” Sam said, annoyance obvious in his voice. He set Hank down and turned his attention to Willow. “Young lady, we need to have a talk later about helping your brother get food from the kitchen. And our no food upstairs rule.”
Harrison made an “Ooooooooo” sound, like kids used to make in school when someone was in trouble. He poked playfully at the girl. “What did you do?”
“Apparently Willow got out the peanut butter—I did say you have to stay alert.”
“You failed,” Harrison teased.
“Yeah, well, she gave the peanut butter to Hank, who thought it would be fun to put it on his face so the dogs would lick it off and give him kisses.”
“I fed it to them, too, with my hands,” Hank added proudly.
Sam shook his head. “Hank, peanut butter on your face, why?”
“Why not?” Hank shrugged.
“Boys are gross,” Willow added, unfazed by her dad’s obvious aggravation.
“How about we all go out back? It’s a gorgeous day, and at least out there I can keep an eye on both of you at the same time. And bonus, you kids can run some of that energy off.”
Willow ran out back first, followed by Hank, and then the two dogs.
“Do you have daddy-duty often?” Noah asked, and was promptly laughed at by both men.
“When you have kids, you share the responsibility,” Harrison said. “You’ll learn.”
“My wife went shopping with Talia and baby Dakota,” Sam answered. “Trina is out getting her shopping fix and her baby fix.”
“Is that a real thing? A baby fix?” Noah asked.
