As soon as they parked at the cabin, JJ jumped out of the car and ran to the tree where he’d seen the lizard.
“JJ! Don’t run off like that,” Quinn said. “You need to stay with me or Reid at all times. Okay?”
“Yes, Momma.”
They walked up to the porch, and Reid let them into the cabin. Everything was just as they’d left it. The cabin was a sanctuary in the woods.
“Mr. Reid.” JJ tugged on his arm.
“Yeah, buddy.” He looked down at the small boy.
“Can we go explorin’ again?” The boy’s eyes were pitiful. Now, Reid understood the effect of the puppy dog eyes. How could he say no?
“Ask your mom.” Let her be the one to break his heart.
“Can we, Mom?” He gave her the same look.
“If Mr. Reid is okay, then I’m okay.”
Well, he was suckered. “Okay. Let’s go.”
“Yippee!” JJ took off for the tree again. Then, they walked around the cabin. Every so often, JJ would squat and look at various bugs and plants.
Reid pointed out poison ivy and told him to stay away if he was allergic. JJ found a rock shaped like an arrowhead and then found a dandelion and plucked it.
“Make a wish,” Reid prompted.
“No, I’m gonna give it to Momma and let her have the wish.”
The boy’s declaration startled him. “Why?”
“Because she always lets me have the wish.”
JJ was a good kid.
“Reid. JJ,” Quinn called from the porch.
“Your momma’s calling. We better head back inside.”
“Yes, sir.” JJ skipped ahead. “Here, Momma. It’s your turn for a wish.”
“Oh, is it?” She cocked her head and raised an eyebrow.
“Yes. Make a wish and then blow. But don’t tell us what it is.”
“Okay.” Quinn took the weed, closed her eyes for a few seconds, opened them, and blew. The seeds flew everywhere as JJ cheered.
What was her wish? If it had been Reid’s wish, he’d have wished for this. Quinn, JJ, and him. Safe and together. He’d never thought he’d be able to make a wish like that. His past had driven his future, but then, Quinn came along. She gave him hope.
She looked at him and smiled. His heart did a dance.
“A lightning bug!” JJ ran off the porch and captured the bug that was flying over a bush. He brought it up to the porch.
Reid knelt in front of him. JJ opened his hands, and the bug crawled across his little fingers. It lit up and then flew off. JJ giggled. “God’s funny. Who’d have thought to make a bug’s butt glow?”
Reid wasn’t sure about the God part, but lightning bugs were definitely odd.
“Come on, guys. Supper’s done,” Quinn said.
