“Oh, I can’t. I’ve got to check on JJ.”
“Let me tend to him. You rest.” He picked up the crutch and stood it and the second one against the nightstand. “Lay back.” He pulled the covers over her once she was lying comfortably.
“I should probably take a pain pill. My leg is throbbing.” She grabbed the pill bottle from the nightstand and took a pill with the bottle of water she’d left there. “Thank you.” She looked at him with appreciation.
“You’re welcome.” He leaned down and brushed a kiss across her lips. “Dream sweet.”
She bit her bottom lip. “I’m sure I will.”
He closed the door behind him. “Well, it looks like it’s you and me for a little while. Your momma needs some rest.”
“Okay.” JJ sprawled across the couch.
“Do you need a nap?” He hadn’t seen him take a nap, but he sure looked tired.
His face contorted. “Naps are for babies.” His eyes widened. “And mommas when they don’t feel good.”
Reid laughed. “Nice save. What do you want to do, then?”
“Hmm. Can we go exploring again?”
“You mean you haven’t seen everything yet?” Reid asked, teasing.
“Nope.” His answer was matter of fact.
“Okay. Just for a little bit and just by the porch. We don’t want to go too far in case your mom needs us.”
He jumped up and ran out the door, not even bothering to make sure Reid was behind him. He spent the next two hours collecting sticks and rocks. He found a rock big enough to use to dig and dug quite a large hole. There was probably more dirt on the boy than there was in the yard.
“Hey, kiddo. It’s getting late. What do you say we head inside and get cleaned up before your mom wakes up and sees the mess you’ve become?”
“Too late.” Quinn’s voice startled him. How had he not heard her coming on the crutches? “Sorry,” he said in mock apology.
“No, you’re not.” She giggled. “Looks like you two had fun.”
“We did.” JJ threw a handful of dirt into the air.
“Alright, young man. Time to wash up. It’s probably best you take a shower. A bath will just turn the tub into a mud pit.”
Reid warmed up the leftover spaghetti while JJ showered and Quinn sat on the couch, her legs propped up. He fixed her a plate and took it to her, then took the plates he’d made for himself and JJ to the coffee table. They all sat in the living room and ate dinner.
JJ yawned really big. “Ready for bed?” Quinn asked.
He shook his head. “Can we watch cartoons?”
“I don’t see why not,” she said. Reid found the DVDs they’d brought. He didn’t recognize any of them. It looked like they were all Bible based.
“That one.” JJ grabbed the ragged container. It was obviously his favorite.
“Why don’t you get it started and I’ll make a bed for you on the floor?” Reid moved the coffee table into the kitchen. He grabbed the pillows and blanket from the bedroom and made the bed perpendicular to the couch.
“Sit down.” JJ patted the empty spot next to him. Reid couldn’t say no. He sat, leaning against the middle of the couch.
“You don’t have to,” Quinn whispered.
He was close enough he could reach over and caress her face. “I want to.” He smiled.
Despite knowing what waited on the television, he wouldn’t miss this moment. JJ sat up and leaned against him. Reid wrapped an arm around him, and they watched television. It wasn’t long until JJ was asleep. Reid laid him on the pillow to keep him from getting a neck cramp.
